Student Employee Benefits

Ohio State is proud to provide access to high-quality medical and retirement plans that can help support your health and financial goals.  When determining your student health and retirement options you must make a decision by the specified deadline.  If no action is taken, you will be automatically enrolled in a default plan.

You should be aware of the following plan provisions:

  • Exempting from the Ohio Public Employees Retirement System (OPERS) is an option for student employees.
  • If you do not opt out within 30 days of your start date, you will automatically be enrolled in a state retirement system.
  • Exempting from OPERS retirement is an irrevocable decision for the entire period that you are continuously employed and working as an eligible student employee at Ohio State.
  • Graduate Teaching Associates who previously contributed to an STRS account may need to file both STRS and OPERS exemption forms in order to be exempt from state retirement.