Absences & Leaves

STRS Ohio members who are enrolled in the Defined Benefit or Combined Plans are able to complete contributions or purchase credit if they were:

• Prevented from making contributions because of illness or injury,
• On a leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA),
• Granted an unpaid leave of absence (must have been under contract during leave),
• Granted a leave of absence with partial pay,
• Not paid for a calamity day,
• Docked days, which caused a limit in final average salary (requires STRS Ohio approval),
• On a partially paid professional leave granted under Section 3345.28, R.C., or
• On a nonpaid professional leave granted under Section 3345.28, R.C.

The maximum obtainable credit is two years for each period of absence or leave. Members cannot contribute on more than what they would have earned had they continued working. Refer to the Absences and Leaves fact sheet for more information.

Members on a leave of absence cannot receive a full year of credit by completing deposits on 120 days.

The employer at the time of the absence or who granted the leave is required to pay the corresponding employer contributions. Any time an employer grants a leave of absence they are incurring a future liability.

Members enrolled in the Defined Contribution Plan are not eligible to purchase credit for leaves of absence.

A member may purchase an absence or leave within the same fiscal year in which it occurred. This interest-free purchase includes all member contributions on the amount that would have been earned had the member not been absent, and must be remitted to STRS Ohio by June 30 of the fiscal year. There are two options for this purchase:

Option 1: The member is on an unpaid absence or leave and wants to purchase the leave through remaining payrolls, if available.

1. The employer calculates the member contributions due and increases contribution deductions in remaining payrolls during the year.
2. These contributions should be included on payroll reports and the annual report.
3. Employer contributions should accompany member contributions.

Option 2: The member is on an unpaid absence or leave and wants to pay for the leave in a lump sum.

1. The employer calculates the member contributions due and receives contributions directly from the member in a check made payable to STRS Ohio.
2. The employer completes the Lump-Sum Purchase of Current Fiscal Year Absence or Leave form and sends it to STRS Ohio along with the member’s check.
3. STRS Ohio will invoice employers for employer contribution amounts.

To assist in the calculation of member contributions required for a member on a current leave of absence, use the Current Leave of Absence Cost Calculator.

A member may purchase a past absence or leave due to illness or injury any time after the end of the fiscal year in which the absence or leave was completed. The member is required to pay interest on both the member and employer contributions. To purchase a past absence or leave:

1. The member completes Part 1 of the Certification of Past Period of Absence form.
2. The employer certifies the dates of absence or leave and the member’s contract salary in Part 2 of the form, then sends it to STRS Ohio.
3. STRS Ohio calculates the member’s cost to purchase credit, including interest on member and employer contributions.
4. After STRS Ohio receives the member’s payment, STRS Ohio will invoice employers for employer contribution amounts.

Payment is made directly to STRS Ohio. Past leaves of absence cannot be purchased through a payroll deduction plan.

Members who are granted leaves of absence with partial pay are entitled to a partial year of service credit based on the percentage of leave pay. When the leave of absence is granted:

1. The member completes Part 1 of the Notification of Professional Leave of Absence form.
2. The employer certifies the dates of absence or leave and the member’s contract salary in Part 2 of the form, then sends it to STRS Ohio.

Members may elect to have contributions withheld only on partial earnings on the Notification of Professional Leave of Absence, then choose to purchase the remainder of the absence or leave during the same fiscal year. This purchase should be handled the same as any other purchase of a current fiscal year absence or leave.

Under certain conditions, members employed by colleges and universities may complete retirement contributions and obtain credit for periods of absence other than for personal injury or illness. Such leaves will not be recognized for a period greater than an accumulated total of two years.

For a member to be eligible to purchase credit for a nonpaid professional leave:

• An annual contract for an STRS Ohio-covered position must have been issued for the period of absence.
• A leave must have been granted by the employer for the purpose of accepting an assignment related to a member’s professional duties, responsibilities and activities that are expected to improve service rendered upon return to employment.
• Within 12 months following the end of the leave, the member must resume contributing service covered by STRS Ohio, OPERS or SERS.
• The employer granting the leave must agree to make payment of the corresponding employer contributions without reimbursement from the member.
• The State Teachers Retirement Board must approve the purchase.

Members on nonpaid professional leave cannot purchase the leave time until they resume contributing service. To purchase this type of leave:

1. The member completes Part 1 of the Certification for Nonpaid Professional Leave of Absence from a College or University form.
2. The employer certifies the dates of absence or leave and the member’s contract salary in Part 2 of the form, and returns it to the member to mail to STRS Ohio.
3. If the request is approved by the Retirement Board, the member will receive a letter from STRS Ohio. Member payment must be made within 60 days of this written notification. If payment is made after the fiscal year after the leave occurred, interest is added.
4. The member writes a check payable to STRS Ohio and gives it to the employer. The employer should send a copy of the member’s approval letter, the member’s check and a check for the corresponding employer contributions to STRS Ohio.