Higher Education Faculty
Welcome to STRS Ohio
State Teachers Retirement System of Ohio (STRS Ohio) was created in 1920, long before Social Security, to provide financial security before and after retirement specifically for Ohio’s educators. New full-time faculty in Ohio’s public institutions of higher education have a one-time opportunity to choose between participating in STRS Ohio or electing an alternative retirement plan (ARP). STRS Ohio offers a choice among three different retirement plans to fill your personal situation — a Defined Benefit Plan, a Defined Contribution Plan and a Combined Plan. New full-time faculty also have the option of participating in an ARP provided by your employer through a private vendor. The ARP only offers a defined contribution plan. This section outlines the STRS Ohio plans available to you.
Step 1
Review the Basics
Review basic information about STRS Ohio retirement plans
and how and when to make your plan selection
Step 2
Review the Plans
Review STRS Ohio retirement plan options and key plan
features of your three retirement plan options
Step 3
Compare the Plans
Review the convenient side-by-side comparison of the key features
of the three STRS Ohio plans and the ARP
Step 4
Choose Your Plan
Access resources and services available to help you make
your retirement plan selection
*Upon meeting eligibility criteria.
The materials contained in this section are a summary and are not intended to provide total information about STRS Ohio benefits. STRS Ohio reserves the right to make subsequent changes without prior notification. Information provided is based on current rates, factors and laws, all of which are subject to change. Coverage under the STRS Ohio Health Care Program is not guaranteed. STRS Ohio may change or discontinue all or part of the program for all or a class of eligible benefit recipients and covered dependents at any time. Premiums, copayments/coinsurance, deductibles and all other charges or fees paid by an enrollee may change from year to year.
No one plan is right for everyone. You may want to consult with a financial planner or an STRS Ohio benefits counselor before selecting a plan that is right for you.
STRS Ohio has contracted with Nationwide Retirement Solutions (NRS) as administrative service provider for the defined contribution aspects of the STRS Ohio benefits.
How and When to Make Your Choice
You have 120 days from your first day of paid service to choose to participate in STRS Ohio or an ARP. If you do not choose the ARP, you will have an additional 60 days (180 days total) to select an STRS Ohio retirement plan.
If STRS Ohio does not receive your plan selection within 180 days, you will automatically join the Defined Benefit Plan and this will be your retirement plan for the duration of your STRS Ohio membership.
Retirement Plan Selection Scenarios
Below, we’ve provided three examples of members who need to choose a retirement plan. Because they are at varying stages of their working lives, they may prioritize their benefit needs differently. Each member’s situation is unique, and you should consider your options carefully. Consider accessing the services available to you to help make your decision or consult with a financial planner or tax advisor concerning your retirement planning needs.
Kasey, 30-year-old single mother with two children
- An interest in future benefits for her family
- No investment experience
- Limited time to follow future investment issues and trends
- Little desire to manage financial issues beyond her family’s monthly budget
For Kasey, the STRS Ohio Defined Benefit Plan may be the best choice. STRS Ohio is nationally recognized for providing financially secure, comprehensive benefits for members while teaching and during retirement.
If she chooses the Defined Benefit Plan at this time, she will remain in it throughout her teaching career. There are no additional opportunities to choose another STRS Ohio plan at a later date.
Jason, 24-year-old with his first teaching appointment
- Uncertainty about teaching in Ohio his entire career
- Limited investment experience
- Recognition that he needs to establish a long-term retirement plan
- A desire for flexibility and choice
Plan portability and little need for other benefits are key issues for Jason; the STRS Ohio Defined Contribution Plan may be his best choice. In this plan, his retirement income is based on the performance of investment choices he selects, the amount of contributions deposited to his account and annuity rates at the time of retirement.
He will have the opportunity to reevaluate his selection and choose another STRS Ohio plan or stay in his current plan in his fifth year of membership.
Andrea, 50-year-old former entrepreneur starting a second career as an educator
- Confident experience as an investment decision-maker
- Long-term experience with 401(k) plans and expectations to manage retirement assets
- Concerns about “other benefit” issues
- 25 years of adult experiences, including dealing with personal finances
Andrea may find the STRS Ohio Combined Plan is the best choice. This plan allows her to direct her investment choices, while providing benefits during teaching and retirement.
She will have the opportunity to reevaluate her selection and choose another STRS Ohio plan or stay in her current plan in her fifth year of membership.
Making Your Choice
What Is My Deadline for Making a Retirement Plan Choice?
You have 120 days from your first day of paid service to choose between STRS Ohio and an ARP. If you do not select an ARP, you will have an additional 60 days (a total of 180 days from your first day of paid service) to select one of STRS Ohio’s three retirement plans. Defined Contribution Plan and Combined Plan participants have an additional decision to make during the fifth year of membership to remain in the same plan or transfer to another STRS Ohio plan. New members hired between July 1, 2024, and June 30, 2025, will receive reselection materials and will be required to make a final decision by June 1, 2029.
What Happens If I Don't Select a Plan?
You have 120 days to choose between STRS Ohio and an ARP. If you do not respond by then, you will participate in STRS Ohio. You will then have an additional 60 days to choose your STRS Ohio plan. Under Ohio law, members who do not select a plan within 180 days will automatically be placed in the STRS Ohio Defined Benefit Plan. If you choose or are placed in the Defined Benefit Plan, there is no reslection option and you will remain in this plan for th duration of your STRS Ohio membership.
How Do I Inform STRS Ohio of My Plan Choice?
First, complete the Retirement Plan Election Form available from your employer to choose between participating in STRS Ohio or an ARP. Return the completed form to your employer. If you choose to enroll in an STRS Ohio plan, make your plan selection choice online via the STRS Ohio website. This is a fast, secure method to make your plan choice. Just log in to your Online Personal Account and click on “Member Information” in the top menu and then “Retirement Plan Selection” under Useful Links. If you haven’t set up your Online Personal Account, you can register here.
You must keep your STRS Ohio membership information — especially your contact information (mailing address, email, phone) — up to date. You may revise this information through your Online Personal Account or by calling our Member Services Center toll-free at 888‑227‑7877.
What If I’m Already an STRS Ohio Member But I’m a New Hire at Another Institution?
Full-time faculty members who leave one Ohio public institution of higher education for another are considered a “new hire.” The information below describes the plan selection options available to these individuals.
Newly hired full-time faculty member who is participating in the STRS Ohio Defined Contribution Plan or Combined Plan, but has not made a final election in the fifth year of membership
You are eligible to remain in the STRS Ohio plan in which you are currently enrolled or choose one of the ARPs offered by your new employer through a private vendor. You will have 120 days from your first day of paid service with your new employer to make this decision. If you do not elect an ARP, you will remain in your current STRS Ohio retirement plan and will retain your opportunity to choose another STRS Ohio plan during your fifth year of membership.
Newly hired full-time faculty member who is participating in STRS Ohio with no reselection option
You are eligible to choose between the STRS Ohio retirement plan you are currently enrolled in or one of the ARPs offered by your new employer through a private vendor. You will have 120 days from your first day of paid service with your new employer to make this decision. To choose your plan, complete the Retirement Plan Election Form provided by your employer. Unless you elect an ARP, you will remain in your current STRS Ohio plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Eligibility
Who is eligible to choose a retirement plan option?
Educators who are new members to STRS Ohio on or after July 1, 2001, are eligible to select a plan.
What are 403(b) plans, IRAs and 457(b) plans?
These terms describe different types of supplemental retirement plans that may be offered by your employer. They are separate from your STRS Ohio retirement plan and can supplement the retirement income you will receive from STRS Ohio. Each of these accounts may have different plan characteristics — such as maximum annual contribution limits, withdrawal limitations, etc. STRS Ohio offers additional information about these plans on our website. You may want to consult a financial adviser to determine if one of these plans is right for you.
Does selection of the Defined Contribution Plan or Combined Plan impact contributions to a supplemental retirement plan?
No. Contribution limits to 403(b), IRAs and 457(b) plans are based on your taxable income. Contributions to the Defined Contribution or Combined Plan are made at the same rate as the Defined Benefit Plan; therefore, your taxable income is not affected.
Investment Options
What investment options are available to Defined Contribution and Combined Plan participants?
Members are offered the following investment options:
- STRS Money Market Choice
- STRS Bloomberg U.S. Universal Bond Index Choice
- STRS Large-Cap Core Choice
- STRS Russell 1000 Index Choice
- STRS Russell Midcap Index Choice
- STRS Russell 2000 Index Choice
- STRS MSCI World ex USA Index Choice (International)
- STRS MSCI ACWI ex USA Index Choice (International)
- STRS REIT Index Choice (Real Estate)
- STRS Target Choice 2025
- STRS Target Choice 2030
- STRS Target Choice 2035
- STRS Target Choice 2040
- STRS Target Choice 2045
- STRS Target Choice 2050
- STRS Target Choice 2055
- STRS Target Choice 2060
What information is available to help me decide which investment options are best for me?
Nationwide Retirement Solutions (NRS) administers the defined contribution aspects of the STRS Ohio retirement plan options. NRS retirement specialists can discuss your investment choices with you by phone toll-free at 866‑332‑3342, Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–11 p.m. and Saturday, 9 a.m.–6 p.m. Additional investment information from NRS can also be accessed online. You may also want to consult with a financial planner or adviser concerning your retirement planning needs.
Finally, be sure to review the Investment Options Guide. Answering a short questionnaire in the guide will help you determine your investment profile based on time horizon and risk tolerance. You can then develop your investment strategy.
Are there fees for the STRS Ohio Defined Contribution and Combined Plans, and how are they charged?
Yes. Members who participate in the Defined Contribution or Combined Plan are charged asset management fees. The Investment Options Guide lists the fee for each investment option.
In addition, a quarterly account fee of $10 is charged. This fee is taken proportionately from the member’s account balance on the last business day of the quarter.
Finally, members whose account balance is less than $5,000, and who are inactive for more than 120 consecutive days, are charged a $10 per month maintenance fee. “Inactive” is defined as not having any member or employer contributions applied to an account. Members are not charged the quarterly account fee if this low balance fee was charged during the quarter.
When are contributions deposited to my defined contribution account?
Employers will send contributions directly to STRS Ohio after each payroll. STRS Ohio will deposit contributions within five business days of receipt.
How can I keep track of the performance of my investment selections in my defined contribution account?
STRS Ohio will send you quarterly statements that detail all activity in your account for the quarter — deposits, investment allocations, investment performance, etc. You can also use the STRS Ohio/NRS website or an interactive voice response system to access your account balance and to make changes to your investment portfolio — 24 hours per day, seven days a week. If you prefer to talk to an NRS retirement specialist, call toll-free 866‑332‑3342, Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–11 p.m. and Saturday, 9 a.m.–6 p.m.
If I select the Defined Contribution or Combined Plan, are there any restrictions on moving money from one investment option to another? How do I make changes to my account?
You may change your allocations through the NRS/STRS Ohio website, through an interactive voice response system or with a Nationwide Retirement Solutions customer service representative. You are permitted 20 trade events each calendar year. A trade event is defined as any trade or combination of trades occurring on a given valuation day. NRS also provides these additional safeguards to protect STRS Ohio from illegal late-day trading and improper market-timing trading.
- If six or more trade events occur in one calendar quarter, NRS will notify the participant by U.S. mail that he or she has been identified as engaging in potentially harmful trading practices.
- Following this notification, if more than 11 trade events occur in two consecutive calendar quarters, NRS will require the participant to submit all future trade requests in paper form only via regular U.S. mail for the remainder of the calendar year.
- If 20 trade events occur in a calendar year, NRS will require the participant to submit all future trade requests in paper form via U.S. mail for the remainder of the calendar year.
If you select the Defined Contribution or Combined Plan, you will receive detailed instructions on how to access your account information and make changes. A confirmation of all changes will be mailed to you within two days of your transaction.
STRS Ohio Service Credit
What is “service credit”?
Service credit is the number of years earned through contributing service or purchased under STRS Ohio’s plan provisions. Service credit is one of the factors used to determine the amount of the monthly service retirement benefit in the Defined Benefit and Combined Plans and is calculated by your employer according to the rules established by the State Teachers Retirement Board.
If you choose the Defined Benefit or Combined Plan, you will receive an Annual Statement of Account each October that provides you with defined benefit account information pertaining to your service retirement projected benefits, your survivor and disability estimated annual benefits and purchasable service credit (if applicable). The statement also includes service credit, earnings and contributions and your account value (should you end your STRS Ohio-covered employment and decide to withdraw your account).
Is service credit applicable to the Defined Contribution or Combined Plan options?
In the Defined Contribution Plan, member contributions, employer contributions and the performance of investment choices you select determine retirement plan benefits. Service credit is not a factor in your retirement benefit.
In the Combined Plan, service credit is used in a calculation to determine your retirement benefit amount from the defined benefit portion of the account. Currently, you must have five years of service credit and be at least 60 years old to receive service retirement benefits from the defined benefit portion of the Combined Plan.
What if I have service credit in OPERS or SERS?
If you select the Defined Contribution Plan or the Combined Plan, you may affect your future benefits from the Ohio Public Employees Retirement System (OPERS) or the School Employees Retirement System (SERS). These accounts cannot be combined with STRS Ohio service credit for future retirement benefits for participants in the Defined Contribution Plan or the Combined Plan. If you have credit in one of these systems, please call STRS Ohio toll-free at 888‑227‑7877 for more information.
Portability
What do you mean by “portability” of my account?
The term “portability” refers to your ability to move your retirement funds if you leave public teaching in Ohio. Once you have completed one year of teaching, the Defined Contribution Plan offers the greatest portability. Withdrawal of your account will cancel your STRS Ohio membership, your accumulated service credit and your eligibility to qualify for STRS Ohio retirement benefits, including access to health care coverage, if eligible. Below is an outline of the amount you will receive under each plan if you withdraw your account:
Defined Benefit Plan participants
If you leave public teaching in Ohio, you can withdraw your account. The withdrawal amount consists of your contributions plus an additional amount payable under Section 3307.563 of the Revised Code. The additional amount payable is based on years of qualifying service credit* and the rates of interest established by the Retirement Board. Interest rates are subject to change. For current interest rates click here and see the Account Withdrawal section or contact STRS Ohio toll-free at 888‑227‑7877.
- With 5.00 or more years of qualifying service credit*, interest at a current rate of 3% compounded annually will be paid on your member contributions and an additional amount equal to 50% of the sum of your member contributions**, plus interest, will also be paid.
- With at least 3.00 years but less than 5.00 years of qualifying service credit*, interest at a current rate of 3% compounded annually will be paid on your member contributions.
- With less than 3.00 years of qualifying service credit*, interest at a current rate of 2% compounded annually will be paid on your member contributions.
Interest for all years withdrawn begins to accrue in the fiscal year following deposit. For example, interest on 2023–2024 contributions would begin accruing July 2024 and be payable August 2024 or later. No interest is payable if a member withdraws his or her account in July and contributed to STRS Ohio for only the year just ended. Interest stops accruing the month before account withdrawal.
*When referring to withdrawals, "qualifying service credit" refers to Ohio teaching service, restored withdrawn credit, purchased service for Ohio public teaching from which no STRS Ohio contributions were withheld, and credit obtained for leaves of absence under Section 3307.77 of the Revised Code.
**The additional 50% match only applies to Ohio teaching service, restored withdrawn credit to the extent the amount paid to restore the credit also includes matching funds, and credit obtained for leaves of absence under section 3307.77 of the Revised Code.
Defined Contribution Plan participants
If you leave public teaching in Ohio, you can withdraw the value of your account. Account withdrawal amounts consist of member contributions plus any gains or losses on those contributions. Withdrawal amounts will also include the employer portion of the account (consisting of the employer contributions plus any gains or losses), according to the following vesting schedule:
- If your membership began before July 1, 2013, you are 100% vested in the employer portion of the account after one year of membership.
- If your membership began on or after July 1, 2013, you are vested in 20% of the employer portion of the account for each full year of membership.
Your withdrawal amount might be affected by fees and early withdrawal penalties.
Combined Plan participants
If you leave public teaching in Ohio before age 50, a withdrawal must include both the defined benefit and defined contribution portions of your account. At age 50 or later, you may withdraw or annuitize the defined contribution portion and leave the defined benefit portion to fund a service retirement benefit at age 60 with at least 5.00 years of service credit. You may withdraw the defined benefit portion only if you are also withdrawing the defined contribution portion.
For the defined contribution portion of the account, the withdrawal amount consists of member contributions deposited to the account plus any gains or losses on those contributions.
The withdrawal amount may be affected by low balance fees or early withdrawal penalties.
For the defined benefit portion of the account, members with 5.00 or more years of service credit are eligible for the greater of: (1) the present value of the future benefits, or (2) the member's total contributions to the defined benefit portion of the account.
The defined benefit portion of the account consists of the member's total contributions to the defined benefit portion of the account if the member withdraws before accumulating 5.00 years of service credit.
Rollovers
Can I roll over my balance in the Defined Contribution or Combined Plan to an IRA, an eligible employer plan or another qualified plan?
Yes. Upon separation of service or retirement, you have the ability to roll over your balance to an IRA, an eligible employer plan or another qualified plan that will accept your rollover. At age 50, you may also just roll over the defined contribution portion of the Combined Plan and leave the defined benefit portion to fund a service retirement at age 60.
Can I roll over funds from an IRA or another qualified plan to my defined contribution account?
Yes. If you permanently choose the Defined Contribution or Combined Plan after your fourth anniversary, you will be able to roll over funds from a qualified account.
Additional Benefit Information
What health care coverage that is offered under the Defined Benefit and Combined Plans?
Currently, STRS Ohio retirees and eligible dependents have access to health care coverage * under the Defined Benefit or Combined Plan if they have at least 20 years of total service credit. This coverage includes hospitalization, physician fees and prescriptions, as well as dental and vision coverage. Premiums and copayments depend on the coverage you select and your years of service credit. Eligibility for health care coverage is established by the Retirement Board and is subject to change.
*The STRS Ohio Health Care Program is not guaranteed. STRS Ohio may change or discontinue all or part of the program for all or a class of eligible benefit recipients and covered dependents at any time.
What survivor and disability protection that is offered under the Defined Benefit and Combined Plans?
Survivor Benefits
Once eligibility conditions are met, monthly benefits are paid to qualified survivors if you die before service retirement. Annual benefits range from 25% to 60% of final average salary. Access to health care coverage,* including dental and vision coverage, is also available.
Disability Benefits
Once eligibility conditions are met, you may apply for monthly disability benefits if you become disabled while employed or within one year following your last date of STRS Ohio-covered service. Annual benefits range from 45% to 60% of your final average salary. Access to health care coverage,* including dental and vision coverage, is also available.
*The STRS Ohio Health Care Program is not guaranteed. STRS Ohio may change or discontinue all or part of the program for all or a class of eligible benefit recipients and covered dependents at any time.
Do Social Security windfall and offset provisions affect me if I choose the Defined Contribution or Combined Plan?
All three STRS Ohio retirement plan options are treated equally and all are subject to the Social Security windfall and offset provisions.
What benefits do I retain if I take a leave from teaching?
If you take a leave from teaching, you could retain some benefits, depending on your years of service and the retirement plan selection you make. If you withdraw your account when you stop teaching, you lose eligibility for these benefits.
Once eligibility requirements are met under the Defined Benefit or Combined Plan, you qualify for survivor benefits. This survivor protection may continue for up to 12 months following your last contributing service.
Once eligibility requirements are met, you may qualify for disability benefits. Eligibility continues for one year following your last contributing service. Also, with five years of service under the Defined Benefit or Combined Plan, you qualify for a retirement benefit at age 60.
Making a Choice
Questions to consider when selecting a retirement plan
- Will you stay in Ohio or move out of state during your career?
- How long will you teach?
- How old will you be when you want to start receiving a retirement benefit?
- How confident are you in making investment decisions?
- What type of retirement plan and benefits does your spouse have?
- Do you have access to other sources of retirement income?
- How will you provide for disability and survivor protection during your working career?
When does my 180-day selection period begin?
The selection period begins on your first day of paid service — in other words, your first day of work for your employer, regardless of when you signed your contract.
What happens to my contributions before I make my retirement plan selection?
You will contribute to the Defined Benefit Plan until you make your plan selection. Once we receive your selection, the account for the plan you choose will be set up within 14 days. If you select the Defined Contribution or Combined Plan, your contributions prior to your selection will be credited to your new account.
After I select my retirement plan option, can my selection be changed?
Your flexibility to change plans depends on the plan you select. If you choose the Defined Benefit Plan, your choice is final and permanent. If you choose the Defined Contribution or Combined Plan, you will have a one-time option to remain in the same plan or transfer to another STRS Ohio plan before completing your fifth year of membership. Information will be mailed to you before the fifth anniversary of your first day of paid service. At that time, the retirement plan option you select will be final.
If I choose the Defined Contribution or Combined Plan now, can I switch plans at any time during the initial five-year period?
No. If you select the Defined Contribution or Combined Plan, you will have a one-time opportunity to change plans. This will take place in June following the fourth anniversary of your first day of paid service. There is no provision in the law that allows you to switch plans at any other time, even in the case of a life-changing event (e.g., marriage, divorce, death of a spouse, etc.).
If I select the Defined Contribution Plan, then switch to the Combined Plan at the five-year point, how much of my account transfers to the defined contribution portion of the Combined Plan?
Your contributions and the earnings on those contributions go into the defined contribution portion of the Combined Plan. The employer contributions and the earnings on those contributions fund the defined benefit portion of the Combined Plan. You will receive service credit as if you had always been in the Combined Plan. Depending on the amount of credit, you could be immediately vested for survivor and disability benefits.
If I select the Combined Plan, then switch to the Defined Contribution Plan at the five-year point, how much of my account transfers to the new plan?
You will take your account withdrawal value to the Defined Contribution Plan as of July 1 of the switch year. This would include the entire defined contribution account balance and the present value of future benefits you earned in the defined benefit portion of your account. If your service credit is less than 5.00 years, the defined benefit portion of the account consists of the member’s total contributions to the defined benefit portion of the account. If you have 5.00 or more years of service credit, you are eligible for the greater of: (1) the present value of the future benefits, or (2) the member’s total contributions to the defined benefit portion of the account.
If I select the Defined Contribution or Combined Plan now and switch to the Defined Benefit Plan following my fourth anniversary, how will my account be affected?
STRS Ohio will create a Defined Benefit Plan account for you as if you had elected that plan originally. The Defined Contribution or Combined Plan accounts — and any accompanying gains or losses — are absorbed by the Defined Benefit Plan.
What happens if I do not make a plan selection?
Members who do not make a plan selection will participate in the STRS Ohio Defined Benefit Plan and will forfeit any option to switch plans following their fourth anniversary — as outlined previously.
Can I select a new plan again if I change employers?
If you select the Defined Contribution or Combined Plan during your first 180 days of employment, you cannot switch plans until the one-time option in your fifth year of membership (as outlined previously). Once you make your final selection in your fifth year of membership, you cannot switch plans.
Note: If you terminate employment and withdraw your account after your initial selection is made, but before making your permanent choice in your fifth year of membership, you will be eligible to make a new selection if you resume your teaching career. However, members who choose or are placed in the Defined Benefit Plan remain in it as long as they teach in Ohio.
If I leave teaching and withdraw my account, can I restore the service credit if I return to teaching?
You will be able to restore service credit in the Defined Benefit Plan account; however, restoration of service credit is not permitted for Combined Plan accounts.
General Plan Information
Can my account balance in the Defined Contribution Plan be offered as collateral when seeking loans? Can I borrow against this account?
No. Your account balance in any plan is not a liquid asset and cannot be considered as collateral when applying for a loan. Also, members are not eligible to withdraw funds while employed.
If I select the Defined Contribution Plan, will I have access to STRS Ohio health care coverage at retirement?
No. STRS Ohio health care coverage is not available to members who retire under the Defined Contribution Plan.
Is more information about my plan options available?
Extensive information is available on this site. You can also call STRS Ohio’s Member Services Center toll-free at 888‑227‑7877. Member service representatives are available Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m.
Resources
STRS Ohio recognizes the importance of the decision you are making. That’s why we offer several services to help you make the decision that will best meet your goals for retirement.
Retirement Plan Selection Packet
The retirement plan selection packet contains information to help you consider which retirement plan best meets your needs. It includes plan descriptions, a plan comparison chart and a separate Investment Options Guide.
Website
The STRS Ohio website offers this New Member section with plan selection information. You also have secure access to your Online Personal Account, where you can access your account information throughout your career.
Plan options videos
These brief videos offer overviews of each plan and important considerations for your plan selection.
Member Services Center 888‑227‑7877 (toll-free)
Call STRS Ohio for access to professionals who can answer your questions about each plan, Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m.
Member education
STRS Ohio provides educational seminars, workshops and webinars to help you plan for a financially secure future — at all stages of your career. Individual and group benefits counseling opportunities are also available.
STRS Ohio also publishes newsletters and provides an email news service to keep you informed about plan changes, legislative initiatives and other events of interest. If you’re enrolled in the Defined Contribution Plan or Combined Plan, you will receive a quarterly statement showing your account balance and activity. Defined Benefit Plan and Combined Plan members receive an annual statement that shows your account value, service credit and other account information.
Investment Assistance
Nationwide Retirement Solutions (NRS) administers the defined contribution aspects of the STRS Ohio retirement plan options. NRS retirement specialists can discuss your defined contribution investment choices with you by phone at 866‑332‑3342 (toll-free), Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–11 p.m. and Saturday, 9 a.m.–6 p.m. If you choose the Defined Contribution Plan or the Combined Plan, you can use an interactive voice response system or securely access your defined contribution account on the NRS/STRS Ohio website to make allocation changes, move existing funds among the various investment choices and access performance information about each investment choice.