Action required for disability recipients
Return Employment and Earnings Statement to avoid interruption of benefits and health care
By Michael Pramik, Ohio Public Employees Retirement System
Feb. 8, 2022 – OPERS disability benefit recipients are required to report to us any employment during the previous year, as well as total earnings, employer information and job descriptions.
To do so, those recipients are asked to complete the Employment and Earnings Statement, which we’ve begun mailing this week. Even if you didn’t work in 2021, you must complete and submit the statement. Only income from employment should be reported; spousal support, child support, and volunteer service are not required information.
However, if you applied for OPERS disability benefits on or after Jan. 7, 2013, you’re required to report any Social Security Disability Income.
If OPERS does not receive your completed statement by April 15, your May disability benefit payment and subsequent payments will be suspended until we receive the form. In addition, as of May 1, your OPERS dental and/or vision coverage (including coverage for any enrolled dependents) will be terminated (if enrolled), and your monthly Health Reimbursement Arrangement deposit will be discontinued (if applicable).
OPERS will waive the 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, 2020
If you misplace the initial Employment and Earnings Statement we are mailing to you, you can log in to your OPERS online account and print a new one. Forms can’t be submitted electronically, but you can print, complete and mail the form to us.
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.
When I try to sign into my account it says that my account has been shut down can you give me an answer as to why that is
Robin, When accessing the online account if the user ID, password or answer to the challenge question have been entered incorrectly five times it would disable the online account and you would need to contact us to have the account reactivated. Please contact us at 1-800-222-7377 to speak to a Member Services Representative for assistance with your online account.
Hi Michael,
I have tried repeatedly to contact OPERS at the phone number you listed above and I ALWAYS get a recording telling me how busy you are and to access my online account. Then I’m told to try calling later and I get the same thing. It’s extremely frustrating and scary when you think your account has been closed for some reason, you can’t access your online account and you can’t reach anyone for help. The stress this causes is phenomenal! I’m as a loss as to how to get any answers to anything when no one is ever available to take calls.
Beverly,
Due to the high call volume please attempt to contact our office at 1-800-222-7377 in the mornings. The OPERS phone lines open at 8am.
Oh no, I am in the hospital and may be here much longer than I’d hope. I’m not able to receive the verification letter re my work etc, I’m not I’ve been on full disability for over 20 years oh goodness. I would like to know if you could fax the form to me and can I fax it back? It seems OSU has no stamps here any longer and I have no other means to obtain one. I hope this can be resolved for I do not know what I can do otherwise. Thank you.
Paula L. Scott
Paula,
We can’t fax the Employment and Earnings Statement, but you or someone you know can download it from our website and print it out, and you can mail it to us. This statement CANNOT be sent back to us electronically. If you don’t have an online account, go to http://www.opers.org and click on “Account Login” in the top-right corner. Then, click on “Need an Account?” and follow the prompts.
I’ve been on disability retirement since 2008 and my medical conditions are not going to get better. Can you explain why I have to continually send in doctor verification and not just be placed on permanent disability. I’ve not worked any job since I have left my employment and my doctor on previous forms have stated my condition will not improve.
Tammy,
It’s OPERS’ responsibility, as a fiduciary of the disability benefit program, to review and assess continued benefit eligibility as required in Ohio law. The Ohio Revised Code (Section 145.362) stipulates that disability benefit recipients “undergo a periodic medical examination, as determined by the board’s medical consultant or as specified in rules adopted by the board.” We use the supporting medical information provided to us to determine continued eligibility for a disability benefit and the need for continued review.
Why did my hra allowance get cut back I’ve been on a disability pension since I retiered in 2008 my cond will not improve over time an answer would be appreciated thankyou
The HRA base allowance reduced for those on Medicare from $450 to $350 on 1/1/2022. This would be the reason why there is a reduction in the monthly HRA allowance.