Disability Benefits

About 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

 
Video Script

STRS Ohio offers disability benefits for members who have a physical or mental condition that incapacitates them from performing the job duties of their most recent STRS Ohio-covered position. This presentation provides an overview of the process of applying for disability benefits and includes: important considerations, the steps a member needs to complete to apply, what happens after the application is received by STRS Ohio, and when benefits become effective.

Disability Benefit Programs

Disability Allowance

To qualify for disability allowance benefits, an STRS Ohio member must:

  • Meet either of the following:

Existing members on June 30, 2013, must have at least 5.00 years of qualifying service credit* on account with STRS Ohio and submit a completed Disability Application Packet within two years of the last date of contributing service with STRS Ohio, OPERS or SERS.

New members on or after July 1, 2013, must have at least 10.00 years of qualifying service credit* on account with STRS Ohio and submit a completed Disability Application Packet within one year of the last date of contributing service with STRS Ohio, OPERS or SERS.

  • Not be receiving service retirement benefits.
  • Have the most service credit with STRS Ohio (versus OPERS or SERS). If OPERS or SERS has the most service credit, contact the system with the most service credit for an application packet.

In lieu of receiving monthly disability benefits from STRS Ohio, members may terminate employment and withdraw their account (see the Account Withdrawal section for more information).

Click here to estimate your disability allowance benefit.

Read the Disability Allowance brochure for more information.

Disability Retirement

To qualify for disability retirement benefits, an STRS Ohio member who was an existing member on June 30, 2013, must:

  • Have at least 5.00 years of qualifying service credit* on account with STRS Ohio and submit a completed Disability Application Packet within two years of the last date of contributing service with STRS Ohio, OPERS or SERS.
  • Not be receiving service retirement benefits.
  • Be younger than age 60 when the disability application is filed.
  • Stop teaching before reaching age 60.
  • Have the most service credit with STRS Ohio (versus OPERS or SERS). If OPERS or SERS has the most service credit, contact the system with the most service credit for a Disability Application Packet.

In lieu of receiving monthly disability benefits from STRS Ohio, members may terminate employment and withdraw their account (see the Account Withdrawal section for more information).

Click here to estimate your disability retirement benefit

Read the Disability Retirement brochure for more information.

*Qualifying service credit includes earned credit with STRS Ohio, OPERS or SERS; restored withdrawn credit with STRS Ohio, OPERS or SERS; interrupted Ohio public service due to military service; and earned and restored credit that transfers from Ohio Police & Fire Pension Fund, Highway Patrol Retirement System or Cincinnati Retirement System.

Health Care Coverage Under the Disability Programs

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.

Additional Benefits Available Under the Disability Programs

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.