Unreduced Retirement Eligibility With 34 Years Extended Five Years
The State Teachers Retirement Board has extended the current retirement eligibility rule requiring 34 years of service for an unreduced retirement benefit for five years through July 2028. The requirement was scheduled to increase to 35 years of service on Aug. 1, 2023. This improvement of the retirement eligibility requirements means that thousands of members will be eligible for an unreduced benefit at an earlier age. Effective Aug. 1, 2023, eligibility criteria for unreduced and reduced benefits are as follows:
| Retirement Dates | Unreduced Benefit (Minimum Age and Years of Service) |
Reduced Benefit (Minimum Age and Years of Service) |
|---|---|---|
| Aug. 1, 2023–July 1, 2028 | Any age and 34 years; or age 65 and 5 years | Any age and 30 years; or age 60 and 5 years |
| On or after Aug. 1, 2028 | Any age and 35 years; or age 65 and 5 years | Any age and 30 years; or age 60 and 5 years |
To estimate your retirement benefit, use these resources:
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Benefit Estimate Calculator: Access this calculator in your Online Personal Account which populates with your account information.
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Benefit Calculation Tables and Estimate Worksheets: These documents include the factors needed to estimate a benefit under the Single Life Annuity plan of payment and can be accessed here. Note: To estimate a benefit using these worksheets, use the table that corresponds with your retirement date.
Benefit estimates will reflect the new eligibility requirements and allow you to do your own projections. The reduction factors for early retirement were improved in some cases. Retirement projections will also be updated on your Annual Statement that you will receive in September.
The motion passed by the Retirement Board to approve the retirement eligibility change also indicated the board’s intent to review benefits again, no later than spring 2024, to evaluate whether additional benefit plan design changes may be made in accordance with the laws in effect at that time. If you have questions, email STRS Ohio or call 888-227-7877 (toll-free), Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m.