STRS Ohio at a Glance

The State Teachers Retirement System of Ohio was founded in 1920. Today, STRS Ohio is one of the largest public pension funds in the United States, serving active, inactive and retired Ohio public educators.

The mission of STRS Ohio is to provide Ohio’s public educators a foundation for their financial security. The vision of STRS Ohio is to serve current and future Ohio public educators and their loved ones.

As of June 30, 2023

$91.0

billion

fiduciary net position

In fiscal 2023

536,751

educators

active, inactive and retired

In fiscal 2023

$7.5

billion

total benefit payments

Funding

Member and employer contributions, as well as income from investments, provide funds for pension benefits and health care coverage. In addition to 14% member and 14% employer contributions, investments income typically funds the greater portion of retirement benefits.

The funding period and funded ratio are both indicators of the health of the fund.

Historical funded ratio and funding period (1994–2023)

Ohio statute requires STRS Ohio to have a funding period of no more than 30 years or to submit a plan to reduce its funding period to reach this target.

As of June 30, 2023

11.2 years

STRS Ohio funding period

Funding period: Time STRS Ohio would need to fully fund benefits for current and future retirees

As of June 30, 2023

80.0%

Market value of assets funded ratio

Funded ratio: STRS Ohio assets as a percentage of what it owes to current and future retirees

Membership

STRS Ohio members include public school teachers and administrators and higher education faculty. Members are employed by 1,132 school districts, vocational schools, colleges and universities, county boards of developmental disabilities, and community and charter schools.

Membership breakdown

in fiscal 2023

Years of service and average monthly benefit

in fiscal 2023

In fiscal 2023

$4,103

Average monthly benefit

In fiscal 2023

$85,961

Average final average salary

STRS Ohio has

209

benefit recipients

100 years or older

Retirement plan choices and benefits

in fiscal 2023

Retirement plan
choices

Defined Benefit Plan

Defined Contribution Plan

Combined Plan

Current
enrollment

90%

More than

109,000

Health Care Program enrollees

In fiscal 2023

$376

million

paid in medical and pharmacy costs for the Health Care Program enrollees — an average of more than $1.0 million per day

Economic impact

STRS Ohio plays a critical role in supporting and sustaining the state of Ohio. Select a county or congressional, house or senate district from the menu below to view the number of STRS Ohio members, earnings and benefits paid throughout the state.

in fiscal 2023

Number of active members
Total active member earnings
Number of benefit recipients
Total payments to benefit recipients

Pension benefits by county

in fiscal 2023

As of June 30, 2023

8 out of 10

STRS Ohio benefit recipients live in Ohio

As of June 30, 2023

$5.8

billion

STRS Ohio benefits distributed among 88 counties

Ohio’s five public pension systems are major economic drivers for the state; are administratively efficient and economical; and provide a stable retirement income for public workers in Ohio, thereby reducing the burden on taxpayers and Social Security.

In fiscal 2023

$900

million

invested in companies headquartered in Ohio

Administration

STRS Ohio operates under the guidelines of Chapter 3307 of the Ohio Revised Code (R.C.). It is legally separate from and fiscally independent of state and local governments.

The long-term direction of STRS Ohio is set by the 11-member State Teachers Retirement Board, 11 senior staff members and about 500 associates.

Guiding principles

These are the building blocks of how we will carry out our mission and vision. For more details check out our Strategic Goals.

Integrity

Be authentic in our words and actions.

Transparency

Cultivate trust through open, consistent and responsive communications.

Accountability

Adhere to the highest standard of ethical conduct and take ownership of results.

Achievement

Build excellence through continuous improvement.

Stewardship

Be prudent and responsible in the matters entrusted to our care.

Respect

Value diversity in people and thought
Treat everyone with dignity.

Investment in people

Attract, retain, develop and empower motivated associates.

Our story

At the Ohio State Teachers Association meeting in June 1916, an anonymous note was posted to a bulletin board stating, “Those teachers interested in the formation of a statewide teachers retirement system should meet in ...” Ten people assembled. STRS Ohio’s beginning was an idea written down on paper. Early leaders made it a reality.

STRS Ohio benefits counseling session in 1962

STRS Ohio benefits counseling session in the 1970s

1919: Legislation passed forming the first statewide actuarially-based teacher retirement system in the United States
1921: Served 34,000 educators and had 323 retirements in first year of operation
1929: Exceeded $60 million in total investments, during the Great Depression
1940s: Exceeded $100 million in total investments, during World War II
1966: Exceeded $1 billion in total investments
1970s: Benefits counseling began being offered
1980s: Investments expand into real estate
1996: Member Services Center was started
1997: Member website was launched
2012: Legislation passed to strengthen the financial condition of the system
2020: Celebrated 100 years of service

Contacts

Public officials can contact STRS Ohio's governmental relations department for more information.
Marla Bump: Director, Governmental Relations; [email protected]; 614-227-4012
Anne Erkman: Assistant Director, Governmental Relations; [email protected]; 614-227-2983