Frequently Asked Questions

Educators who are new members to STRS Ohio on or after July 1, 2001, are eligible to select a plan.

No. Ohio public educators participate in one of these STRS Ohio retirement plans. However, individuals may elect to participate in a supplemental retirement plan — such as a 403(b), IRA (individual retirement account) or a 457(b) governmental plan — to supplement STRS Ohio pension income.

Members have 180 days from the first day of paid service to select an STRS Ohio retirement plan. New members who choose the Defined Contribution Plan or Combined Plan have an additional decision to make during their fifth year of membership — remain in the same plan or transfer to another STRS Ohio plan.

For a member to retain the right to reselect a retirement plan, STRS Ohio must have current member contact information — especially a current mailing address. Members may revise this information by accessing their Online Personal Account, or by calling STRS Ohio toll-free at 888‑227‑7877.

To make a retirement plan selection, new members must complete and return the Retirement Plan Selection Form for New Members provided in their new member packet.

Ohio law stipulates that members who do not select a plan within 180 days from the first day of paid service will automatically be placed in the STRS Ohio Defined Benefit Plan. If a member selects or is placed in the Defined Benefit Plan, this will remain the member’s plan for the duration of STRS Ohio membership.

For members who choose the Defined Benefit Plan, the choice is final and permanent. Members who choose the Defined Contribution or Combined Plan, have a one-time option to remain in the same plan or transfer to another STRS Ohio plan before completing the fifth year of membership. At that time, the retirement plan option selected will be final.

Members who do not complete a selection form will participate in the STRS Ohio Defined Benefit Plan, and will forfeit any option to switch plans following their fourth anniversary.

Extensive information is available on the STRS Ohio member website or by calling STRS Ohio toll-free at 888‑227‑7877, Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m.

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 15 years of service credit. Beginning Aug. 1, 2023, new retirees will need 20 years of service for eligibility. This coverage includes hospitalization, physician fees and prescriptions, as well as dental and vision coverage. Premiums and copayments depend on the coverage selected and 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.

Survivor Benefits

Once eligibility conditions are met, monthly benefits are paid to qualified survivors if the member dies 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, a member may apply for monthly disability benefits if he or she becomes disabled while employed or within two years following the last date of STRS Ohio-covered service. Annual benefits range from 45% to 60% of the member’s 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.

All three STRS Ohio retirement plan options are treated equally and all are subject to the Social Security windfall and offset provisions.

STRS Ohio contracts with Nationwide Retirement Solutions (NRS) to provide help in administering the defined contribution aspects of the STRS Ohio retirement plan options. NRS retirement specialists are available by phone at 866‑332‑3342 (toll-free), Monday–Thursday, 8 a.m.–8 p.m. and Friday, 8 a.m.–6:30 p.m.

An Investment Options Guide is included in the plan selection packet sent to new members.

Members who leave public teaching in Ohio can withdraw their account. The withdrawal amount consists of member contributions plus an additional amount payable which is based on years of qualifying service credit and the rates of interest established by the Retirement Board. Interest rates are subject to change.

Members who leave public teaching in Ohio can withdraw the value of their 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 membership began before July 1, 2013, the member is 100% vested in the employer portion of the account after one year of membership.
• If membership began on or after July 1, 2013, the member is 20% vested in the employer portion of the account for each full year of membership.

The withdrawal amount might be affected by fees and early withdrawal penalties.

If a member leaves public teaching in Ohio before age 50, a withdrawal must include both the defined benefit and defined contribution portions of the account. At age 50 or later, the member 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. A member may withdraw the defined benefit portion only if also withdrawing the defined contribution portion.

If the member/reemployed retiree has taught during the last 18 months, all current-year employers must complete a withdrawal certification as soon as proper amounts of employee contributions and service credit can be accurately determined. Further Account Withdrawal information, including employer certification requirements and frequently asked questions are available in the Account Withdrawal section.