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Employers Manual
Survivor Benefits
Member Eligibility Requirements
There are three types of monthly benefits available to a member’s
beneficiaries. The amount payable to qualified survivors depends on
specific eligibility requirements.
Dependent-based benefit: This benefit is payable when a qualified member dies before being eligible for service retirement. The benefit is based on the number of qualified survivors.
Service-based benefit: This benefit is payable when a qualified member with 20 or more years of service credit dies before being eligible for service retirement. The benefit is based on years of service credit.
Retirement-based benefit: This benefit is payable when the member dies after qualifying for service retirement but before actually retiring with STRS Ohio. The benefit is based on the service retirement formula.
If a sole qualified survivor is eligible for more than one type of benefit, that survivor would choose which benefit he or she wants to receive when applying for benefits.
With dependent-based or service-based survivor benefits, a member must have:
- 1.50 or more years of Ohio service prior to death, and
- 0.25 of a year of Ohio contributing service in the 2 1/2-year period before death, or been receiving a disability benefit at the time of death.
Protection for qualified survivors may continue for up to 27 months following the member’s last contributing service or while the member is receiving a disability benefit. If a member’s death occurs after the 27 months and the member was not receiving a disability benefit, the primary beneficiary may withdraw the deceased member’s account.
