Benefits

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 — short- and long-term disability protection that pays up to 60% of salary.

STRS Ohio contributes 14% of associates’ salaries to OPERS. STRS Ohio associates contribute 10% 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 No taxes are paid on these contributions until they are withdrawn at retirement or the associate leaves public employment.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.

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

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

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

Eligible 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.

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

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.

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

Regular working hours for most associates are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, and include one hour for lunch. Some associates have other working hours because of service demands.

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.

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.

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 $80.9 billion as of June 30, 2019, 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.