Choosing a Plan

Choosing a retirement plan option is an important decision. No two individuals are alike. After you review each plan’s features, consider what is most important to you — now and in retirement.

There are a number of tools you can use to help you make a decision:

• The Retirement Plan Comparison Chart provides an excellent overview of each plan. Click here if you are eligible for an ARP.
• The DB, DC & Combined Plan Comparison Calculator, allows you to enter different variables into the calculator so you can compare estimated retirement benefits provided by each plan.
• Member service representatives can also help answer your questions. Just call us toll-free at 1-888-227-7877.

How Much Time Do I Have to Decide?

As a new member you have 180 days from your first day of paid service to select an STRS Ohio retirement plan option.

New members who choose the Defined Contribution Plan or Combined Plan have an additional decision to make before completing their fifth year of membership. You can choose to remain in the same plan or transfer to another STRS Ohio plan. All new members hired between July 1, 2007, and June 30, 2008, will receive reselection materials and will be asked to make a final decision by June 30, 2012.

At that time, you must actively elect to remain in the Defined Contribution or Combined Plan; otherwise, you will automatically be moved to the Defined Benefit Plan, with an account and service credit created as if you had been in the Defined Benefit Plan from your first date of membership. The Defined Contribution or Combined Plan account — and any accompanying gains or losses — will be absorbed by the Defined Benefit Plan.

To Retain Your Right to Choose
You must keep your STRS Ohio membership information — especially your mailing address — current. You may revise this information by calling an STRS Ohio member service representative toll-free at 1-888-227-7877.

How do I Inform STRS About my Plan Choice?
To make your selection, complete the STRS Ohio Retirement Plan Selection Form for New Members found in your selection packet and mail it to:

STRS Ohio
275 E. Broad St.
Columbus, OH 43215-3771

If you have not received a plan selection packet, please contact an STRS Ohio member service representative toll-free at 1-888-227-7877 to request one.

What if I Have Credit in OPERS or SERS?
If you select the Defined Contribution or Combined Plan, you may affect your future benefits from the Ohio Public Employees Retirement System (OPERS) or the School Employees Retirement System (SERS). Please call toll-free 1-888-227-7877 for more information.

What Happens if I Don’t Select a Plan?
Ohio law stipulates that members who do not select a plan within the 180 days will automatically be placed in the STRS Ohio Defined Benefit Plan. If you choose or are placed in the Defined Benefit Plan, you will remain in it for your lifetime.