Ohio Public Employees Retirement System
OPERS website
Access your OPERS account and additional information on expected retirement benefits, plan features (investments, fees) and member benefits.
The Ohio Public Employees Retirement System (OPERS) offers two plans to new hires: a Traditional pension plan (defined benefit) and a Member-Directed plan (defined contribution). A third plan, the Combined Plan, remains for those already enrolled. Benefits vary at retirement based on the plan selected.
- The Traditional Pension Plan is a defined benefit plan that provides fixed, monthly lifetime retirement benefits. Your benefit is determined by a formula that rewards you for working longer – the more years you work, the bigger your monthly payment.
- The Member-Directed Plan is a defined contribution plan where you direct how your contributions are invested choosing from one (or more) of the OPERS investment options. You assume the investment risk and your benefit is based on your final vested account balance at retirement.
| Plan Detail | OPERS Traditional Pension Plan | OPERS Member-Directed Plan |
|---|---|---|
| Benefit Eligibility | With 5 years of service, you can retire when age and service requirements are met. The benefit amount is based on a formula using your age, years of service credit, and final average salary. | With 5 years of service, you have access to full account balance. Account balance consists of contributions made by you and Ohio State, as well as any investment gains or losses you may have on these contributions. The benefit amount is determined by your account balance and the payment option(s) you choose when you apply to receive benefits. |
| Disability Benefits | With 5 years of service, you may have access to OPERS disability benefits. | Not Available |
| Survivor Benefits | With 18 months of full-time service, your survivors may qualify for benefits or a lump sum payment of the refundable account. | The vested portion of your individual account balance may be paid to your beneficiaries. The vested balance of your retiree medical account may be used by your eligible dependents. |
| Disability Benefits | Vested at 5 years of service | Not available |
| Healthcare Benefits | If qualifications are met, a Health Reimbursement Account (HRA) with a monthly deposit may be available. | With varied vesting, a retiree medical account may be available. |
| Portability – Employee contributions | Your contributions are vested immediately. | Your contributions are vested immediately. |
| Portability – Employer contributions | Vest for an additional 33% at 5 years and 67% at 10 years based on eligible contributions. | Fully vested after 5 years on contributing service in the plan. The university contributions vest based on years of service credit:
|
Contributions
| Contribution Source | Traditional Pension Plan | Member-Directed Plan | Combined Plan (closed for new participants) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Employee | 10% | 10% | 10% |
| Employer | 14% | 14%
Breakdown: |
14%
Breakdown: |
A percentage of the total employer contribution is applied to the mitigating rate which is required by Ohio law (Ohio Revised Code Section 3305.06). This requires a portion of the employer contribution be sent to the applicable state retirement system where it is permanently retained. To learn more, visit Mitigating Rate and Employer Contributions.
2025 Contribution Limits
Contributions to the Member-Directed Plan stop once employee and employer contributions total $70,000 for the calendar year.
For the Traditional Pension Plan and Combined Plan, contributions stop once the following compensation limits have been reached:
- Date of Hire 1994 and after: $350,000 in retirement eligible earnings
- Date of Hire prior to 1994: $520,000 in retirement eligible earnings
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if I opt to stay in OPERS and don’t select a plan?
Under Ohio law, members who do not select a plan within 180 days will automatically be placed in the OPERS Traditional Pension Plan (defined benefit). You can only change your plan once during your career.
What are the contribution rates for OPERS?
Please see the contribution section above.
Can I change the amount I contribute to OPERS?
No. The contribution rates are based on state retirement system mandates. If you wish to contribute additional funds to retirement, Ohio State employees are eligible to participate in the 403(b) and 457(b) Supplemental Retirement Accounts.
What is the maximum amount I can contribute to OPERS?
Your retirement limit is determined by your retirement plan and/or date of hire. Review limit information in the contribution section above.
How do I contact OPERS?
See our list of providers for contact information.
Can I borrow against my OPERS account?
No, a loan feature is not available.
What can I do with my OPERS account after I leave Ohio State employment?
Please visit the OPERS website for more information.
What is the mitigating rate?
When the Alternative Retirement Plan (ARP) was put in place in 1999, the law was written to allow for a mitigating rate. The mitigating rate is a required percentage of the employer contribution that is used to pay for the unfunded liability associated with the pension plan. By law, the mitigating rate can fluctuate. The university contributes the full employer rate, however a portion is sent to the applicable State of Ohio retirement system, and the remainder goes to your ARP account. The mitigating rate helps ensure the long-term viability of the retirement system. See Mitigating Rate and Employer Contributions for detailed information.
What is “service credit”?
Service credit is the number of years earned through contributing service or purchased under OPERS plan provisions. Service credit is one of the factors used to determine the amount of the monthly service retirement benefit in the Defined Benefit plan and is calculated by your employer according to the rules established by OPERS.
I contributed to another state retirement system, what do I need to know about combining my service credit?
Combining the accounts is optional. The choice to combine (or not combine) the accounts is made at retirement. The Defined Benefit plan is the only plan that allows service credit to be combined at the time of retirement. If the accounts are combined, no more than one year of total credit may be granted for each fiscal year. The system with the greatest credit calculates and pays the monthly retirement benefit.
Are there any impacts to my retirement plan if I previously contributed to Social Security?
Employees of Ohio public colleges and universities do not participate in the federal Social Security system, other than contributions to Medicare. If you are eligible for a Social Security benefit from other employment in addition to your ARP benefit, there may be a reduction in your Social Security benefit. Learn more about the impacts to your Social Security benefit.
Can I retire under more than one plan?
OPERS, STRS, and/or SERS members participating in multiple retirement plans who have acquired service credit in multiple systems may retire independently from each system. This allows the member to receive a benefit from each system. In order to take advantage of this option, a member must meet the age and service credit eligibility requirements, which are specific to each system, to retire, and terminate public employment under all Ohio retirement systems prior to the earliest retirement effective benefit date.
What plans can combine?
At retirement, OPERS members participating in the Traditional Pension Plan who also have accounts with STRS and/or SERS may choose to have their contributions and service credit in the OPERS Traditional Pension Plan, SERS and the STRS Defined Benefit Plan combined for the purpose of determining eligibility for and calculation of benefits. If this option is chosen, the system that has the most service credit will pay the benefit, while funds and service credit in the other system(s) are transferred to the paying system.
When can I combine plans?
You can combine eligible plans at retirement. You cannot combine them before that time.
What do I need to do?
Contact your retirement system to confirm eligibility requirements and apply for retirement.
OPERS
Service Credit and Contributing Months
Phone: 800-222-7377
STRS
Combining STRS Ohio/OPERS/SERS Service
Phone: 888‑227‑7877
SERS
SERS Service Credit information
Phone: 800-878-5853
Key Plan Information
OPERS website
Access your OPERS account and additional information on expected retirement benefits, plan features (investments, fees) and member benefits.