STRS Ohio is funded through investments and contributions made by members
and their employers. Members contribute 10% of gross earnings. Employers contribute an additional
14% of members’ annual salary into the Employers’ Trust Fund. There
are approximately 1,094 employers who contribute to STRS Ohio, including city
and local school districts, county educational service centers, exempted village
districts, vocational and technical schools, colleges and universities, county
boards of mental retardation and developmental disabilities, community schools as well as the
state of Ohio.
During 2006–2007, member contributions totaled more than $1 billion. The contributions from 1,094 employers, combined
with service credit purchased by employers through retirement incentive plans,
totaled $1.4 billion. During this same period STRS Ohio experienced a net investment
income of $13.4 billion. As of June 30, 2007, STRS Ohio’s net assets available
for benefits exceeded $79.6 billion (including short-term investments). Approximately $45.9 billion of this amount
has been placed in the Annuity and Pension Reserve Fund to pay benefits to more
than 122,000 retired teachers and other beneficiaries.