Action required for disability recipients

Return ‘E&E’ statement to avoid interruption of benefits and health care

By Michael Pramik, Ohio Public Employees Retirement System

Feb. 16, 2023 – 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 began mailing last week. Even if you didn’t work in 2022, you must complete and submit the E&E 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, 2021

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. You can return the form to OPERS through the mail or through your online account.