Life Changes
For information about how life changes impact eligibility for the STRS Ohio Health Care Program, if enrolled, check out our impact on health care section.
Death of a benefit recipient
If a benefit recipient dies, call us at 888‑227‑7877 (toll-free) or fill-out our Death Notification application, to report the death and begin the death benefits process, if applicable.
Death of a spouse
To update your beneficiaries, log in to your Online Personal Account, click the “Member Information” tab and then click “Update My Beneficiaries” under the Useful Links section.
You may be eligible to change your plan of payment. To do so, log in to your Online Personal Account, click the “Recipient Account” tab and then click “Change Plan of Payment” under the Useful Links section.
Divorce
Division of marital property (division during lifetime)
STRS Ohio provides retirement benefits for teachers and administrators employed by public schools, colleges and universities. It is created and governed by Chapter 3307, Revised Code, and consists of a Defined Benefit Plan, a Defined Contribution Plan and a Combined Plan. For more information about each plan, check out our Service Retirement and Plans of Payment brochures.
STRS Ohio is a tax-qualified governmental plan under 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code and is not subject to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA). Members of STRS Ohio do not participate in Social Security.
Ohio law provides that former spouses can receive a portion of a member’s benefits during the member’s lifetime. Members’ retirement benefits are also subject to income withholding orders for child support and spousal support.
STRS Ohio has developed court orders in fillable PDF format that can be used by the court. They are not required, but STRS Ohio strongly recommends that you use these fillable orders:
- Template: Release of Member Account Information Order
- Template: Not Required to Name Former Spouse Beneficiary Order
- Template: Division of Property Order (DOPO)
If you choose not to use the fillable orders, you may incorporate the language into your separation agreement or the court may use the language in its order.
Please make sure you submit your separation agreement with the order from the court about your divorce if you choose not to use the template orders.
Court-ordered benefits to be paid to former spouse after the benefit recipient’s death
The court may order you to name your former spouse as beneficiary when you apply for service retirement and also select a plan of payment that provides your former spouse a monthly benefit after your death. If you and your spouse divorce after you have retired and become a benefit recipient and you selected a Joint and Survivor plan of payment with reversion, the court may order that you can remove your former spouse as beneficiary and change your plan of payment to a Single Life Annuity. The court may also order that you cannot remove your former spouse as beneficiary or change your plan of payment.
If you have already retired and you selected a Joint and Survivor plan of payment that can revert to a Single Life Annuity plan of payment, you must submit a court order allowing you to remove your now former spouse as beneficiary and change your plan of payment. If you have already retired and you did not select a Joint and Survivor plan of payment that can revert, you cannot change your plan of payment.
If your former spouse will remain your beneficiary, you are not required to submit an order, but an order may be submitted if the court deems it necessary.
FAQ
- What if I get married again?
You can add your new spouse as a beneficiary within one year after your marriage. The amount to your former spouse cannot be reduced. The benefit for all beneficiaries cannot total more than 100% of your service retirement benefit.
- Will this order provide payments to my former spouse while I am living?
No. A Division of Property Order must be issued for your former spouse to receive a portion of your retirement benefit during your lifetime.
Marriage
To update your beneficiaries, log in to your Online Personal Account, click the “Member Information” tab and then click “Update My Beneficiaries” under the Useful Links section.
You may be eligible to change your plan of payment. To do so, log in to your Online Personal Account, click the “Recipient Account” tab and then click “Change Plan of Payment” under the Useful Links section.
Birth/adoption of a child
To update your beneficiaries, log in to your Online Personal Account, click the “Member Information” tab and then click “Update My Beneficiaries” under the Useful Links section.
Impact on health care
Turning age 65 and applying for Medicare
STRS Ohio requires all medical plan participants to be enrolled in Medicare Parts A & B at age 65 or when eligible. Medicare Part B is required for all enrollees. Medicare Part A is also required if it is available to you at no cost (premium free). If you are a U.S. citizen or a lawfully admitted non-citizen who has resided in the United States for at least five years, you are eligible for Medicare at age 65 even if you are not eligible for Social Security.
Enroll in Medicare three months before your 65th birthday to avoid a delay in Medicare coverage. After you enroll, you must submit proof of Medicare enrollment to STRS Ohio through your Online Personal Account. Your STRS Ohio plan options and premiums will change after proof of Medicare enrollment is received. For more information, check out our Medicare Enrollment page.
If you are not currently enrolled in an STRS Ohio medical plan, you may enroll yourself or an eligible dependent upon initial eligibility and enrollment in Medicare Parts A & B or Part B-only.
Employment
STRS Ohio medical coverage for employed individuals not eligible for Medicare is limited to secondary coverage under STRS Ohio’s Aetna Basic Plan when they: (1) are eligible for medical and prescription coverage through their employer, or (2) hold a position for which other similarly situated employees are eligible for medical and prescription coverage. The rule applies to all employed enrollees who are not eligible for Medicare, regardless of hire date or type of employment.
STRS Ohio requires non-Medicare enrollees to verify their employment status and access to employer health care coverage. If you are employed and not eligible for Medicare, it is your responsibility to provide verification through your Online Personal Account. If you prefer to opt out of secondary coverage by canceling your STRS Ohio medical plan enrollment, contact us.
Cancellation of other coverage
You may modify your coverage or enroll yourself and/or an eligible dependent in the STRS Ohio Health Care Program if other coverage is terminating and you contact us within 31 days of the event. Coverage may be effective the first of the month following the event if you contact us within 31 days of the termination of other coverage.
Full loss of premium subsidy
You may modify your coverage within 31 days of full loss of premium subsidy. Coverage changes may be effective the first of the month following the event if you contact us within 31 days of full loss of premium subsidy.
Marriage
You may modify your coverage or enroll your spouse in the STRS Ohio Health Care Program within 31 days of your marriage. Coverage may be effective the first of the month following the event if you contact us within 31 days of your marriage.
Birth, adoption or legal guardianship of a child
You may modify your coverage or enroll an eligible child in the STRS Ohio Health Care Program within 31 days of the birth, adoption or legal guardianship of a child. Coverage may be effective the first of the month following the event if you contact us within 31 days of your birth, adoption or legal guardianship of a child.
Divorce, dissolution or legal separation
You may modify your coverage within 31 days of your divorce, dissolution or legal separation. Coverage changes may be effective the first of the month following the event if you contact us within 31 days of your divorce, dissolution or legal separation.
Death of a spouse or eligible dependent
You may modify your coverage within 31 days of your spouse’s or the eligible dependent’s death. Coverage changes may be effective the first of the month following the event if you contact us within 31 days of your spouse’s or eligible dependent’s death.