Benefits

STRS Ohio strives to provide some of the most progressive benefits available in today’s job market.

Comprehensive Insurance
Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurance plans are available to associates.

• Medical — combines the benefits of a comprehensive medical plan with the convenience of a preferred provider organization.
• Dental — offers extensive dental and orthodontia services.
• Vision — offers a high level of vision-related benefits.
• Life Insurance — life, accidental death and dismemberment insurance; life insurance at retirement; travel/accident insurance and dependent life insurance.
• Disability — long-term disability protection that pays up to 60% of salary.

Ohio Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio (OPERS)
STRS Ohio contributes 13.85% of associates’ salaries to OPERS. STRS Ohio associates contribute 9.5% of their salaries on a pretax basis. In return, associates are assured a comprehensive retirement plan if they remain in public employment. No taxes are paid on these contributions until they are withdrawn at retirement or the associate leaves public employment. Associates contribute 1.45% of their salaries to Medicare but do not pay Social Security taxes.

Free Parking
STRS Ohio provides free parking privileges to associates — a particularly convenient and valuable benefit for associates at our downtown Columbus facilities.

Holidays, Vacation Time, Sick Leave and Personal Days

• Ten paid holidays: seven “fixed” holidays and three “floating” holidays.
• From 12 to 24 days vacation per year, depending on years of STRS Ohio service.
• 15 sick days per year.
• Two personal days per year.

Credit for both sick and vacation days can be accumulated from year to year.

Service Award
Full-time associates are awarded $100 plus $75 for each full year of STRS Ohio service upon attaining 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35 and 40 years of continuous employment.

Direct Deposit
Associates’ biweekly pay is deposited into their preferred account via electronic transfer.

Educational Assistance
STRS Ohio encourages associates to enhance their education. STRS Ohio will prepay or reimburse tuition costs for coursework and professional certifications relevant to an associate’s job. In addition, we offer a variety of in-house training programs.

On-Site Child Care
The STRS Ohio commitment to family is evidenced by our on-site child care center. This center is staffed by certified teachers who lead structured programs and learning activities along with rest and play time. The fee schedule covers three categories of children: infants, toddlers and preschoolers.

Performance Summary
Performance management is an ongoing process at STRS Ohio. Open communication is encouraged. Associates receive ongoing feedback throughout the year relative to their performance.

Convenient Work Hours
Regular working hours for most associates are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, and include one hour for lunch. Some associates have other working hours because of service demands.

Wellness Program
STRS Ohio is committed to ensuring both the physical and mental well-being of our associates. In addition to a smoke-free environment, our wellness program encourages healthy behavior by providing associates with an opportunity to learn individual health strategies to optimize personal health and achieve a high level of wellness. An on-site fitness center offers state-of-the-art exercise equipment and personal fitness programs to associates for a monthly fee. Our Employee Assistance Program provides confidential, professional counseling services to associates and family members for the resolution of personal problems.

Modern Facilities
Our main facility boasts state-of-the-art meeting and conference rooms; comfortable, private waiting areas and offices; as well as wheelchair accessibility. An outdoor balcony provides associates with a place to spend lunch and breaks during nice weather. An indoor lunchroom with kitchen appliances is available to associates during the work day; light breakfast and lunch fare is also available for purchase.

State-of-the-Art Technology
STRS Ohio is known for its sophisticated data systems and associates are trained to use technology to its fullest potential. We develop and maintain our own computer application systems that manage assets that exceed $65.8 billion and make day-to-day business more effective and efficient. STRS Ohio is continually seeking and developing new technology to keep us on the cutting edge.