Action required for disability recipients
Fill out online ‘E&E’ statement to avoid interruption of benefits and health care
By Michael Pramik, Ohio Public Employees Retirement System
March 6, 2025 – OPERS disability benefit recipients must complete a Statement of Employment and Earnings after Receipt of a Disability Benefit form and return it to OPERS annually. Even if you did not work in 2024, you must complete and submit the form. Completing the form will ensure you continue to receive disability benefit payments and applicable Health Reimbursement Arrangement allowances.
This year, for the first time, the Statement of Employment and Earnings after Receipt of a Disability Benefit form will be completed online.
The employment earnings to be reported are those earned during 2024, and only recipients with an effective date prior to 2024 are required to complete a statement. The following members are excluded from the E&E process:
- Those 70 years or older as of Dec. 31, 2023
- Members in skilled nursing facilities
- Members with a legal guardian on their account
OPERS disability benefit recipients will no longer receive a paper version of this form. Instead, you’ll complete and submit this form through your OPERS online account. You can access the form by logging into your online account at opers.org and selecting the link from the notifications panel.
This new process allows for easy access to the form and the peace of mind that comes with receiving confirmation that the form is submitted and is valid. You will be made aware of any supporting documents needed, and these documents can be uploaded through your online account.
Note: If you have power of attorney over an OPERS disability benefit recipient, you will continue to receive, complete and submit the paper form.
If you have not set up your OPERS online account, complete the following steps:
- Go to opers.org.
- Click on the Account Login button in the upper right corner.
- Click on the Need an Account? link.
- Enter the information requested and establish your user ID and password. You will need your OPERS ID to complete the set-up process. If you do not know your OPERS ID, it will be on the letter OPERS mailed to you in early February regarding the completion of the Statement of Employment and Earnings after Receipt of a Disability Benefit form.
If you do not submit the online form by April 15, your May disability benefit payment and subsequent payments will be suspended until you complete and submit 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).
If you need help completing the Statement of Employment and Earnings after Receipt of a Disability Benefit form, please call OPERS 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.
I can not fine the EE- POST form on-line nor the E&E statement. I would prefer to mail it in as in previous years.
Beginning this year there is not a paper Disability Statement of Employment and Earnings available to print and complete. The Disability Statement of Employment and Earnings is to be submitted electronically through your OPERS online account. Click on the “Complete our Statement of Employment and Earnings After Receipt of a Disability Benefit form now” link located on the Home Page of your online account to submit the online form. If you do not have access to complete the online form please call OPERS at 1-800-222-7377 to request that a paper Statement of Employment and Earnings form be mailed to you.
I tried to get online and I got to the point where it asked me by question of where I lived or where I was born I was born in Columbus, Ohio, and that’s the answer I put in and it won’t take that answer
Thomas,
We are currently experiencing high call volumes. We recommend calling early in the day and during midweek.
Why do I have a 7 on my tax return instead of a 2. Disability person. Originally. 60 yrs old
A distribution code of 7 in box 7 of the 1099-R reflects a normal distribution. A distribution code of 2 in box 7 of the 1099-R reflects an early distribution prior to age 59.5, but the recipient is not subject to the early withdrawal penalty. The OPERS 1099-R cannot provide a distribution code of 3 in box 7 because an OPERS Disability Retirement benefit does not fit the Internal Revenue Service’s definition of a disability benefit.