State Teachers Retirement System of Ohio
STRS website
Access your STRS account and additional information on expected retirement benefits, plan features (investments, fees) and member benefits.
The State Teachers Retirement System of Ohio (STRS) offers three plans: a Defined Benefit Plan, a Defined Contribution Plan, and a Combined Plan. Benefits vary at retirement based on the plan selected.
- The Defined Benefit Plan 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 Defined Contribution Plan allows you to direct how your contributions are invested choosing from one (or more) of the STRS investment options. You assume the investment risk and your benefit is based on your final vested account balance at retirement.
- The Combined Plan includes features of the Defined Benefit and Defined Contribution plans.
Review the below summary and the STRS side-by-side by side comparison of key plan features on the STRS website for additional plan detail and requirements.
| Plan Detail | Defined Benefit (DB) Plan | Defined Contribution (DC) Plan | Combined Plan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Benefit Eligibility | The benefit amount is based on a formula using your age, years of service credit, and final average salary. | 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. | DB portion: The DB benefit amount is based on a formula using your age, years of service credit, and final average salary.
DC portion: Account balance consists of your contributions and your investment gains or losses. The DC benefit is determined by your account balance and the payment option(s) you choose when you apply to receive benefits. |
| Survivor Benefits | Existing STRS members as of June 30, 2013, vested after 1.5 years of service credit.
New STRS members on or after July 1, 2013, vested after 5 years of service credit. |
Not available | Existing STRS members as of June 30, 2013, vested after 1.5 years of service credit.
New STRS members on or after July 1, 2013, vested after 5 years of service credit. |
| Disability Benefits | Existing STRS members as of June 30, 2013, disability benefits may be available after 5 years of service credit.
New STRS members on or after July 1, 2013, disability benefits may be available after 10 years of service credit. |
Not available | Existing STRS members as of June 30, 2013, disability benefits may be available after 5 years of service credit.
New STRS members on or after July 1, 2013, disability benefits may be available after 10 years of service credit. |
| Portability | Your contributions are vested immediately. You may receive some matching funds. | Your contributions are vested immediately. The university contributions vest 20% per year (for those hired after 2013):
|
Your contributions are vested immediately.
Defined contribution withdrawal amount: Members are eligible for contributions in the account and the gains or losses on those contributions. Defined benefit withdrawal amount: Members are eligible for the greater of member contributions in the defined benefit account value of future benefits with five years of service credit. For example, a member with 10 years of service is eligible for 10% of final average salary at age 60. The withdrawal amount is equal to the present value of that benefit. See the STRS side-by-side by side comparison of key plan features for limitations. |
Contributions
| Contribution Source | Defined Benefit (DB) Plan | Defined Contribution (DC) Plan | Combined Plan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Employee | 14% | 14% | 14% |
| Employer | 14% | 14%
Breakdown: |
14% |
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 Defined Contribution plan stop once employee and employer contributions total $70,000 for the calendar year.
For the Defined Benefit Plan and Combined Plan, contributions stop once the following compensation limits have been reached:
- Date of Hire July 1, 1996 and after: $350,000 in retirement eligible earnings
- Date of Hire prior to July 1, 1996: $520,000 in retirement eligible earnings
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the contribution rates for STRS?
Please see the contribution section above.
Can I change the amount I contribute to STRS?
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 STRS?
Your retirement limit is determined by your retirement plan and/or date of hire. Review limit information in the contribution section above.
Can I borrow against my STRS account?
No, a loan feature is not available.
What can I do with my STRS account after I leave Ohio State employment?
Please visit the STRS website for more information.
How do I contact STRS?
See our list of providers for contact information.
What is “service credit”?
Service credit is the number of years earned through contributing service or purchased under STRS plan provisions. Service credit is one of the factors used to determine the amount of the monthly service retirement benefit in the Defined Benefit and Combined Plans and is calculated by your employer according to the rules established by the State Teachers Retirement Board.
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.
Am I required to contribute to Social Security?
Employees of Ohio public colleges and universities do not participate in the federal Social Security system, other than contributions to Medicare. Learn more about the impacts to your Social Security benefit.
If I previously contributed to social security are there any impacts to my retirement plan?
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 STRS 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
STRS website
Access your STRS account and additional information on expected retirement benefits, plan features (investments, fees) and member benefits.