What is my effective date of retirement?
Your retirement effective date is the first day of the month following the latter of:
- Your last day of service; or
- The date you reach age and service requirements.
How do I apply for retirement?
You can complete and submit your Service Retirement Application by logging in to your Online Personal Account and clicking the “Member Information” tab and then clicking “Apply for Service Retirement” under the Useful Links section.
When do I apply for retirement?
The application should be completed at least three months, but no more than 12 months, before your retirement date.
If I have credit with another Ohio retirement system that I want to transfer at the time of retirement, will you contact them?
Yes. If you indicated on your application that you want to combine credit, STRS Ohio will contact the applicable retirement system.
When is my employer notified?
Your employer will be notified of your retirement the latter of when you submit your application or two months before your retirement date.
Will I get a copy of my application?
Yes. Once you submit your application online, you will receive a Service Retirement Application Summary which will appear in the My Documents section of your Online Personal Account.
How will I know that my application has been received?
Once you submit your application online, you will immediately receive an email confirmation. Within a few days, you will also be mailed a Service Retirement Application and Plan of Payment Selection Confirmation. These documents will serve as your receipt that the application has been received and that STRS Ohio has begun processing it according to the plan of payment you selected.
How do I check on the status of my application?
Once STRS Ohio has started processing your application, you can check on the status by logging in to your Online Personal Account and clicking the “Member Information” tab.
Are other documents required?
In some cases, additional documents are required to complete your application. Your Service Retirement Application Summary will clearly indicate which documents are needed. You may also receive an email from STRS Ohio requesting additional information. To submit the documents, log in to your Online Personal Account, click the “Home” tab and then click “Upload Documents” under the Useful Links section.
Can I make changes to my application?
Changes to your effective retirement date, plan of payment and Partial Lump-Sum Payment (PLOP) amount can be submitted in writing until the 15th of the month following your first regular benefit payment. Changes to your bank and tax information may be made anytime.
How do I make changes to my application?
All changes must be submitted in writing through your Online Personal Account and must contain your signature. To submit the documents, log in to your Online Personal Account, click the “Home” tab and then click “Upload Documents” under the Useful Links section. Select the type of document you are uploading. If you are unsure, select the “Service Retirement” option.
Can I cancel my application?
You can submit a request to cancel your application in writing until the 15th of the month following your first regular benefit payment.
When will I receive my first payment?
If your fully completed application was received at least 30 days before your retirement date, STRS Ohio may issue a benefit payment on your retirement date. If all the information has not been received to finalize your retirement, you will receive partial payments each month until your benefit is finalized. Most members receive at least three partial payments.
How will I know when my retirement is finalized?
You will receive an email notification once your service retirement benefit has been finalized. At that time, you will also receive access to a Benefit Calculation Report and a letter indicating the deadline to make changes to your application. These documents will appear in the My Documents section of your Online Personal Account.
When will I receive my PLOP payment?
If you selected a PLOP payment, it will be paid 91 days after your retirement date or the date all necessary information is received and your retirement benefit is finalized, whichever is later.
Will I get a pay stub each month?
No. Monthly check details are available in your Online Personal Account. You will receive an email notifying you if a change occurs to the monthly amount.
When will I receive my health care cards?
If you enrolled in an STRS Ohio health care plan, medical ID cards are typically sent 10–14 days prior to the effective date of your health care. You will not receive ID cards for dental and/or vision coverage.