SmartTALK

Last month, STRS Ohio sent reselection packets to members who are eligible to make their retirement plan reselection in 2024. The final reselection option is now open to those who enrolled as new members between July 1, 2019, and June 30, 2020, and selected either STRS Ohio’s Defined Contribution Plan or Combined Plan.

Members who are now eligible for their plan reselection have until June 1, 2024, to make their selection. If you are eligible for reselection and do not choose a plan by the June 1 deadline, you will remain in your current plan with your current allocation. The decision you make now will be permanent and the plan you select will remain your retirement plan for the duration of your STRS Ohio membership. The packets mailed in March included personalized account information, an overview of each retirement plan and a plan comparison chart.

You can make your plan reselection through your Online Personal Account. From your Online Personal Account, click on “Member Information” in the top menu and then “Retirement Plan Reselection” under Useful Links.

If you have questions or need more information, please call the STRS Ohio Member Services Center toll-free at 888‑227‑7877. You can also visit our website and click on “Plan Reselection Period Is Now Open for Eligible Members in Fifth Year of Membership” under the What’s New at STRS Ohio heading.

STRS Ohio’s Defined Contribution Investments Annual Report for fiscal year 2023 will mail soon to all members participating in the Defined Contribution Plan or the Combined Plan. The report will also be available on the STRS Ohio website. The annual report includes an economic overview section that describes the forces that shaped the markets during fiscal 2023, along with performance highlights and analysis for each allocation choice.

Online Access

STRS Ohio and Nationwide Retirement Solutions (NRS) offer you secure online access to your defined contribution account. You can check your account balance, set allocation for future contributions, exchange existing balances from one investment choice to another, evaluate the performance of your investment choices and more. You can register for an online account through the NRS/STRS Ohio website.

This quarter’s SmartTALK profiles the STRS Russell Midcap Index Choice.

The STRS Russell Midcap Index Choice is an allocation choice that is intended to closely match the return of the Russell Midcap® Index, before fees. This choice is composed of approximately 800 U.S.-based stocks chosen for market size (mid-cap), liquidity and industry group representation.

Companies in the Industrials, Information Technology, Consumer Discretionary, Financials and Healthcare sectors make up about 70% of the holdings for this choice. Top holdings by company include CrowdStrike Holdings Inc., Parker Hannifin Corp., KKR & Co. Inc., Trane Technologies plc, Amphenol Corp. and Phillips 66. Intermediate- and long-term performance figures for this and all allocation choices are provided on the Investment Performance Report.

How can I get help with my asset allocation and investment choices?

Assistance is just a phone call away. STRS Ohio has contracted with Nationwide Retirement Solutions (NRS) in administering the defined contribution aspects of the STRS Ohio retirement plan options. Just call toll-free 866‑332‑3342 and NRS retirement specialists can discuss your investment choices with you by phone. They are available Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–11 p.m. and Saturday, 9 a.m.–6 p.m. You can also find investment information on the NRS/STRS Ohio website. You may also consider speaking with a qualified financial planner or advisor concerning your retirement planning needs and how STRS Ohio’s retirement benefits fit into your overall plan.