Action required for disability recipients
Return “E&E” statement to avoid interruption of benefits
By Michael Pramik, Ohio Public Employees Retirement System
Feb. 18, 2020 – OPERS disability recipients are required to report to us any employment during the previous year, as well as total earnings, employer information and job descriptions.
Thus, most OPERS disability benefit recipients need to annually complete an Employment and Earnings Statement. Even if you didn’t work in 2019, you must complete and submit the E&E statement.
OPERS will waive the Employment and Earning Statement submission for disability recipients who meet one of the following criteria:
- Are under legal guardianship
- Reside in a skilled nursing facility
- Were age 70 or older as of Dec. 31, 2018
Taking this action will ensure you continue to receive your disability benefit payments and Health Reimbursement Arrangement deposits (if applicable) and avoid any disruption to health care coverage.
OPERS began mailing the forms last week. We’ll send a second notice on March 10 to those disability benefit recipients who do not mail back a completed statement by then. If we do not receive your completed statement by April 15, your May disability benefit payment and subsequent payments will be suspended until we receive the form.
If you’re on disability and enrolled in the OPERS Medicare Connector and do not provide the form, your Health Reimbursement Arrangement monthly allowance and coverage for yourself and any dependents enrolled in OPERS health care coverage will be terminated as of May 1.
You need to report only income from employment. Social Security income, spousal support, child support and volunteer service do not require to be reported on the statement.
Make sure to provide the following when completing and submitting the form:
- Your signature within the Member Acknowledgment and Authorization section
- All requested employer information (if employed in 2019) as noted/requested in Section three
- The amount of total earnings within the Employment Information section
- Social Security Disability Insurance declaration within the Social Security Disability Insurance Income section
For more information, please contact us at 800-222-7377.
Michael Pramik
Michael Pramik is communication strategist for the Ohio Public Employees Retirement System and editor of the PERSpective blog. As an experienced business journalist, he clarifies complex pension policies and helps members make smart choices to secure their retirement.
Please make this form easier to complete by having it available online.
Each E&E form has a barcode and is personalized with your identifying information.
Julie, OPERS
How can i fill it out , when i havent received it in the mail ? Is there another way to get the form e&e statement form ?
Deborah,
Please call us at 1-800-222-7377 and we will send you a personalized form with a unique bar code.
Thanks,
Julie, OPERS
Is it because Robert is 83 years old that we did not receive his E & E Statement this year. Please respond. He is in a wheelchair and we have to go out to the post office to mail our letters/bills.
Yes, you are correct. Because Robert is 83, he does not have to submit an E & E statement. OPERS waives the Employment and Earning Statement submission for disability recipients who meet one of the following criteria:
Are under legal guardianship
Reside in a skilled nursing facility
Were age 70 or older as of Dec. 31, 2018
Julie, OPERS
Now that we can’t bring our Statement of Earnings in, how do we ensure you’re aware we mailed them in before the April 15th deadline. Is there another way we can be sure you receive them prior to the deadline?
To ensure OPERS has received your Employment and Earning Statement, please email us at DisabilityBenefits@opers.org. We will confirm that we’ve received your statement within 24-to-48 hours of receipt.
Julie, OPERS
How can I get the form online? I did not receive it in the mail? I’ve looked all over online and can’t find the form. Please help me.
Each E&E form has a barcode and is personalized with your identifying information. Please contact us through your online account and we’ll send you a new form.
Julie, OPERS
Good afternoon. I haven’t mailed in my E&E statement yet since your office is closed due to the coronavirus, do I still need to mail it in by the 15th of April?
Regina,
Please mail your Employment and Earning Statement to us as soon as possible. We are continuing to process the statements during the shutdown. To ensure OPERS has received your E&E statement, please email us at DisabilityBenefits@opers.org. We will confirm that we’ve received your statement within 24 to 48 hours of receipt.
Julie, OPERS
Is the E&E form still due today 5/15/2020, even though all tax matters are extended?
Please mail your Employment and Earning Statement to us as soon as possible. We are continuing to process the statements during the shutdown.
Thanks,
Julie, OPERS
Good afternoon. I sent in my E&E statement in on April 11and I would like to find out if you have received it yet. Thank you.
Karen,
To ensure OPERS has received your E&E statement, please email us at DisabilityBenefits@opers.org. We will confirm that we’ve received your statement within 24 to 48 hours of receipt.
Julie, OPERS
You need to put this form on line so recipients can complete and submit it in a timely manner.
Vince,
You can print a new E&E statement yourself through your OPERS online account.