Disability Benefits

DB Plan

STRS Ohio has two disability benefit programs — disability allowance and disability retirement. Teachers who are also members of Ohio Public Employees Retirement System (OPERS) and/or School Employees Retirement System (SERS) must apply for disability benefits with the retirement system where they have the most service credit.

DC Plan

There are no disability benefits. If you become disabled, you may withdraw your account after terminating employment. At age 50, other payment options are available, but you must first terminate employment.

CO Plan

STRS Ohio offers a disability benefit program. The percentage of the final average salary (FAS) a member may receive as a benefit is calculated by multiplying the number of years of service credit the member has earned or purchased by 2.2%, with a minimum benefit of 45% and a maximum of 60% of FAS. As an alternative to receiving monthly disability benefits, members may apply for service retirement benefits if eligible or terminate employment and withdraw the defined benefit and/or defined contribution portions of their account.

Medical criteria

• A disabling medical condition prevents the individual from performing their most recent job duties; and
• The condition is expected to last at least 12 continuous months from the date STRS Ohio receives the completed Disability Application Packet, and
• The disability has occurred since membership began or, if the individual previously withdrew their STRS Ohio account, since returning to covered service with STRS Ohio. If the condition existed at the time the individual became a member, it must have increased in severity since that time as to make the condition disabling under the criteria above.

Disability benefit programs

Disability allowance

To qualify for disability allowance benefits, an STRS Ohio member must:

• Meet either of the following:
  • Existing members on June 30, 2013, must have at least 5.00 years of qualifying service credit^* on account with STRS Ohio and submit a completed Disability Application Packet within two years of the last date of contributing service with STRS Ohio, OPERS or SERS.
  • New members on or after July 1, 2013, must have at least 10.00 years of qualifying service credit^* on account with STRS Ohio and submit a completed Disability Application Packet within one year of the last date of contributing service with STRS Ohio, OPERS or SERS.
• Not be receiving service retirement benefits.
• Have the most service credit with STRS Ohio (versus OPERS or SERS. If OPERS or SERS has the most service credit, contact the system with the most service credit for an application packet.

In lieu of receiving monthly disability benefits from STRS Ohio, members may terminate employment and withdraw their account.

For more information, check out our Disability Allowance brochure or estimate your benefit with our Disability Allowance calculator.

Disability retirement

To qualify for disability retirement benefits, an STRS Ohio member who was an existing member on June 30, 2013, must:

• Have at least 5.00 years of qualifying service credit^* on account with STRS Ohio and submit a completed Disability Application Packet within two years of the last date of contributing service with STRS Ohio, OPERS or SERS.
• Not be receiving service retirement benefits.
• Be younger than age 60 when the disability application is filed.
• Stop teaching before reaching age 60.
• Have the most service credit with STRS Ohio (versus OPERS or SERS). If OPERS or SERS has the most service credit, contact the system with the most service credit for an application packet.

In lieu of receiving monthly disability benefits from STRS Ohio, members may terminate employment and withdraw their account.

For more information, check out our Disability Retirement brochure or estimate your benefit with our Disability Retirement calculator.

Health care coverage under the disability programs

STRS Ohio offers medical, dental and vision coverage to disability benefit recipients and their eligible dependents.^* If a disability recipient later applies for service retirement, the recipient must have at least 20 years of service credit to qualify for coverage if granted disability benefits on or after Aug. 1, 2023. At least 15 years of service credit is required if granted disability benefits before Aug. 1, 2023. You can use your Online Personal Account to review your plan options and premiums.

STRS Ohio offers a Health Care Assistance Program (HCAP) to help qualified benefit recipients who need financial assistance paying for their STRS Ohio health care plan. Eligibility is based on total family income and total liquid assets.