Disability Benefits

STRS Ohio has two disability benefit programs for members participating in the Defined Benefit Plan — disability allowance and disability retirement.

• Teachers who became members of STRS Ohio after July 29, 1992, participate under the disability allowance program and should read the Disability Allowance brochure for an explanation of their disability benefits.
• Teachers who were members of STRS Ohio on or before July 29, 1992, participate in either the disability allowance or the disability retirement program. Members who chose the disability allowance program should read the Disability Allowance brochure for an explanation of their disability benefits. Members who chose the disability retirement program should read the Disability Retirement brochure for an explanation of their disability benefits.

Teachers who are also members of OPERS and/or SERS must apply for disability benefits with the retirement system where they have the most service credit. The system with the most service will determine and pay the disability benefit.

Members who are unsure of their program selection should refer to their Annual Statement of Account.

Medical Criteria

The medical criteria for the disability allowance and disability retirement programs are as follows:

• A disabling medical condition prevents the individual from performing his or her most recent job duties; and
• The condition is expected to last at least 12 continuous months from the date STRS Ohio receives the completed Disability Application Packet; and
• The disability has occurred since membership began or, if the individual previously withdrew his or her STRS Ohio account, since returning to covered service with STRS Ohio. If the condition existed at the time the individual became a member, it must have increased in severity since that time as to make the condition disabling under the criteria above.

Disability Benefits Presentation

Access to Health Care Coverage

STRS Ohio offers medical, dental and vision coverage to disability benefit recipients and their eligible dependents.^* If a disability recipient later applies for service retirement, the recipient must have at least 20 years of service credit to qualify for coverage if granted disability benefits on or after Aug. 1, 2023. At least 15 years of service credit is required if granted disability benefits before Aug. 1, 2023. Please refer to the Health Care section for eligibility requirements, plan information and monthly premiums. You can also use your Online Personal Account to review your plan options and premiums.

STRS Ohio offers a Health Care Assistance Program to help qualified benefit recipients who need financial assistance paying for their STRS Ohio health care plan. Eligibility is based on total family income and total liquid assets. Call toll-free 888‑227‑7877 for more information.

^*The STRS Ohio Health Care Program is not guaranteed. STRS Ohio may change or discontinue all or part of the program for all or a class of eligible benefit recipients and covered dependents at any time.

Survivor Benefits

Disability Allowance

Qualified survivors may be eligible to receive a monthly benefit or to withdraw the account balance. This withdrawal payment consists of the member’s contributions only; no additional amounts are payable.

Disability Retirement

Qualified survivors may be eligible to receive a monthly benefit or to withdraw the remaining account balance. If a remaining account balance is available, a withdrawal payment would consist of the member’s contributions less monthly benefits received; no additional amounts would be payable.

For more information regarding survivor benefits, please refer to the Survivor Benefits brochure.

Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA)

New STRS Ohio benefit recipients are eligible to receive a COLA beginning on the fifth anniversary of their retirement date. The State Teachers Retirement Board will periodically evaluate whether a cost-of-living increase is payable in accordance with the law in effect at that time (Section 3307.67, Revised Code). If a COLA is granted, you will receive it on the anniversary of your retirement date.

Death Benefits

An automatic $1,000 death benefit is payable to a disability benefit recipient’s designated beneficiary. This automatic benefit is considered a nontaxable life insurance payment; therefore, it is a tax-free benefit to the beneficiary.

A disability benefit recipient may purchase an additional $1,000 or $2,000 death benefit for a monthly premium. This optional death benefit is subject to a six-month waiting period and is taxable when it is paid. For more information about this benefit, read the Death Benefits brochure.