OPERS answers member questions
Unused sick time, vacation days have limited use in determining pension
By Michael Pramik, Ohio Public Employees Retirement System
Nov. 7, 2019 – We receive many questions through our social media sites, but we can’t always post responses to them.
So periodically we’ll use our PERSpective blog to answer some of those questions that we believe will have widespread interest.
Q: I’m planning to retire next year, and I’ve got a lot of unused sick time and vacation days. Can I cash them in and have that money applied to my final-year salary for pension purposes?
A: Ohio law allows the payment of unpaid leave to be considered earnable salary for the purposes of pension calculation if your employer has an approved conversion plan on file and the payout meets the criteria outlined in the plan. However, Ohio Revised Code Section 145.01 and Ohio Administrative Code 145-1-26 limit these conversions to sick leave, personal leave and vacation leave accrued but not used during the calendar year as part of a conversion plan. (Holidays are not included.)
Unpaid leave earned in previous calendar years does not qualify as earnable salary. So OPERS members could not, for example, carry over hundreds of hours of unpaid leave for decades, be paid for them at retirement and have those payments count toward their pension benefits.
This is one way OPERS limits pension spiking – artificially inflating one’s final average salary for the purposes of boosting the pension benefit. The ability of some members to include limited amounts of unpaid leave in their earnable salary for one year does not have a burdensome effect on the pension system.
Q: I’m enrolled in the OPERS Member-Directed Plan. Will my mitigating rate be increasing in 2020?
A: The mitigating rate is increasing next year. However, it will not negatively impact current Member-Directed and Combined plan participants. Here’s why:
The mitigating rate has been in effect since 2003. It currently stands at 2.44 percent, and OPERS and its actuaries are recommending an increase to 3.5 percent beginning in January.
To fund the change in the mitigating rate for the Member-Directed Plan, OPERS will use plan forefeitures – money left unclaimed by former members. We’ll fund the change in the Combined Plan mitigating rate by reducing the portion of the employer contribution used to pay the plan’s unfunded actuarial accrued liability.
In both cases, plan participants will have the same percentages of their contributions credited to their individual defined contribution accounts.
Q: I’m a retiree in the OPERS Medicare Connector. When will I receive the health care premium receipt for 2020 to apply for reimbursement with Via Benefits?
A: Retirees enrolled in a plan through the Connector need to access a health care premium receipt from OPERS that reflects the amount deducted from their pension benefit for health care. This receipt is needed to file for a recurring reimbursement of those deductions from their Health Reimbursement Arrangement accounts.
We’ll begin mailing the premium receipts in mid-December to all Medicare retirees with an HRA. Eligible participants can use the receipts along with personalized recurring reimbursement forms from Via Benefits to reapply for reimbursements in 2020.
The receipts will be contained with our “Get Ready for 2020” mailing, which we will send out in December. Look for additional information in PERSpective next month.
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.
Just rolled some sick time in defered comp today
Been retired for several years and I had sick leave, vacation and personal leave “rolled-over” into my deferred comp. Would that be included in the FAS? If so, how can I determine if it was or not?
Your Deferred Compensation account is not included in your Final Average Salary. If you have questions about how your FAS was determined when you retired, please call us at 1-800-222-7377 and we’ll be happy to walk you through it.
Julie, OPERS
That was my question, so sick leave, vacation and personal leave that is directed to deferred comp when they retire does not count towards FAS. Correct?
You are correct.
Julie, OPERS
Have you decided what the changes will be with insurance coverage and premiums for someone with 27 years as of Jan 2020 when we retire with 30 years in Jan 2023? Thank you!
M
The Board has not made any decisions about the future of health care beginning January 2022.
Julie, OPERS
bubber0407@hotmail.com – Bob
Two (2) WEP reform bills: K.I.S.S. – What are the WEP provision/s does it now??
If you have questions concerning the Government Pension Offset or Windfall Elimination Provision, contact your local Social Security office or access its website at ssa.gov. You can find their WEP fact sheet at https://www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10045.pdf.
I’m unclear on why OPERS has chosen to penalize retirees for taking part time jobs with OPERS agency’s. The monthly premium for health care is $1,000 more and when you’re Medicare eligible your stipend is suspended. I was told it was done to discourage “double-dipping”.
I always thought the OPERS “double-dipping” was retiring from a full time job and then taking another “OPERS full time” position. Not a $10, 000 a year job without benefits. Our part-time jobs will barely cover the cost of the frozen COLA.
Patrick,
OPERS is not trying to discourage members from taking any type of employment after retirement. The current plan is structured to satisfy federal regulations. More information on re-employment can be found here: https://www.opers.org/retirees/re-employment/index.shtml
Julie, OPERS
Been trying to call OPERS to talk to an actual person for several days however I am always placed on hold. To use the callback function, it was always at least an hour wait. Waiting for a call backs is not possible for those of us still working. We are not allowed personal calls on govt. time.
If you’re not able to wait on the phone, and the Virtual Hold option doesn’t work for you, please send us a message through your online account. A Member Services representative will get back to you.
Julie, OPERS
I don’t have access to the online system and am seeking help on this and one other topic. I’ve called quite a few times and it says that the call volume is high and to call back later. I’ve tried different times and different days. I’ve only got through once and I’ve been on hold now for 45 min and don’t know how much longer I should wait. What can I do?
With the announcement of our health care changes, the phones have been very busy. Try calling us first thing in the morning. Our staff is available Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Thank you for your patience.
How do i find out exactly how much time i have invested into OPERS .
You can find more information by accessing your online account (reached through the OPERS home page) or by calling us at 1-800-222-7377.
Julie, OPERS
What do I have to do to buy back some of my time I had with Montgomery County
Tracey,
Please call us at 1-800-222-7377 and we can help you. In the meantime, you can find more information on purchasing service credit at https://www.opers.org/pubs-archive/leaflets/ISL-F.pdf.
Julie, OPERS
would like to know when they will have a decision on Medical changes being made for PRE-Medicare retirees. I have read changes would not take effect until 2022-even if that is correct I am still wondering when a decision will be made and will the retiree members have any type of vote on the decision?
Cindy,
The Board is expected to vote early next year with the changes to go into effect in January 2022. The changes will impact all members and retirees, including pre-Medicare retirees.
Julie, OPERS
Plan your retirement ? Not only the added year required to work to be eligible to retire at an unreduced pension, now you folks can’t even say what you are doing with health care. There was allegedly supposed to be information coming out this month, but now it is being pushed back to January 2020 ? How is anyone supposed to plan their retirement when OPERS can’t figure out what benefits will be for the individuals paying your salaries ?
David,
The implementation date of the proposed changes remains the same. We expect the Board to make decisions on the health care plan in early 2020 that will go into effect on Jan. 1, 2022.
Julie, OPERS
Why will OPERS not address comments in other articles about offering purchasing the extended service time to groups B & C like they are proposing for group D? – If OPERS is not planning on offering this benefit to groups B & C why not?
Thank you for your suggestion. The details on the Group D proposal are still being worked out, and nothing has been finalized.
Julie, OPERS
I have been retired since august of 2009 almost 32 years don’t have enough credits under social security ,my question is how can I be reliable for Medicare and do I have to pay a high premium because of not paying into social secuirity
For questions about Social Security and Medicare, you should contact them directly. We published a blog about Social Security and Medicare, and who to call when you have a question, that you may find helpful: https://perspective.opers.org/index.php/2019/04/23/know-who-to-call-when-ssa-and-medicare/. For more information about Medicare, go to https://www.ssa.gov/benefits/medicare/
are you able to take a plop after you have retired? my spouse has been off work due to medical reasons and is currently waiting on an organ transplant. I would really like to pay off some bills before he has the transplant and is off work for a longer period of time.
I’m sorry, Lori, you can’t obtain a PLOP after you have retired.
Julie, OPERS
Will any of the upcoming changes to healthcare affect OPERS covering the Medicare part A premium for those of us who never had an option to pay into it? I’m one of the few who fall into that category and can just tell you that if that coverage goes away along with everything else it will be devastating financially.
The Board has not yet discussed how we will handle Medicare Part A premium coverage.
Julie, OPERS
I retired Jan. 2011 and will reach age for Medicare in 1 year. Does PERS help supplement paying for it ?
You can you use your Health Reimbursement Arrangment, or HRA, to pay for your Medicare premium, health insurance premium or other qualified medical expenses. For more information go to https://www.opers.org/healthcare/plan-options/hra.shtml.
Where can I obtain a list of the approved Medicare supplement insurance plans that are eligible for the money that is deposited into the health plan for at least 20 years of service and at least 65. Going to retire at the end of May 2020. I will also be applying for Medicare part B to take effect on June 1, 2020. Our Human Resources person said we would get a form of some type to take to the social security office to verify we had insurance up to that point so not to be penalized and to be eligible for a special enrollment event at that time. Also what can I show that I will be getting Medicare part B beginning June 1. 2020 in order to satisfy the requirement of providing proof of part A and B for the retirement application
Mr. Grafton,
Via Benefits can help you determine the Medicare supplemental insurance plan that best fits your needs. You can contact them online at my.viabenefits.com/opers or by calling 844-287-9945. Retirees enrolled in both Medicare Parts A and B select a Medigap (Medicare Supplement) or Medicare Advantage plan and Medicare D prescription drug plan through Via Benefits.
More information on enrollment and resources are available to help guide your decision making process on the OPERS website at https://www.opers.org/healthcare/plan-options/ViaBenefits/index.shtml. In addition, we published a blog about who to call with Social Security and Medicare questions that you may find helpful: https://perspective.opers.org/index.php/2019/04/23/know-who-to-call-when-ssa-and-medicare/. For more information about Medicare, go to https://www.ssa.gov/benefits/medicare.
If you still have questions, please call us at 1-800-222-7377.
Julie, OPERS
I am a retiree and am receiving benefits. I am Medicare eligible and have an HRA account with VIA Benefits. My question is in regards to surplus funds still in the account after one is deceased and all remaining bills for the deceased have been submitted. Should there be any funds remaining in the account will it go back to the retirees account and be paid to his estate or does it return to OPERS and become part of the retirement fund?
Any outstanding, qualified medical expenses in the retiree’s name can be submitted to the retiree’s Health Reimbursement Arrangement for reimbursement up to 24 months following the retiree’s death.
Eligible spouses and dependents can also submit qualified medical expenses to the HRA for reimbursement until the funds in the HRA are exhausted. The balance of the HRA will be forfeited into the OPERS health care fund after 24 months of inactivity on the account.
Julie, OPERS
how much will social security penalize me on my monthly payment
If you have questions concerning the Government Pension Offset (GPO) or Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP), contact your local Social Security office or access its website at ssa.gov. GPO may affect you if you are eligible for Social Security benefits through your spouse. WEP may affect you if you qualify for Social Security benefits due to your own work history.
Julie
When the pre Medicare retirees have make a choice in health ins in 2022 what happens when those retirees hit Medicare age do you put us back in the system for Medicare and offer us a Medicare supplement or are we still on our own
After enrollment in the OPERS Connector, Medicare-eligible retirees receive a monthly Health Reimbursement Arrangement, or HRA, that can be used to reimburse the cost of premiums and other qualified medical expenses.
In addition, retirees enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B select a Medigap or Medicare Advantage plans through the OPERS Connector with the assistance from OPERS’ vendor Via Benefits. For more information go to https://www.opers.org/healthcare/plan-options/ViaBenefits/index.shtml.
I am thinking about rolling over unused sick leave into deferred comp. next year when I retire, at what percentage would it roll over at, 100% or 50%?
A representative at Ohio Deferred Compensation should be able to answer your questions. You can call them at 1-877-844-6457.
Julie
I will be 62 and plan to retire soon. I did not start working for the state until I was 46 so I have 15 years in. I am in the Combined Plan with OPERS I have paid into the health insurance fund for 15 years, yet won’t see a dime of it. I understand if I was in the Member-Directed plan, I would have received Health Savings Account dollars. (Wish I would have known that at the time.) Yet I will get nothing since I am in the Combined Plan. Because I started later but still worked into my 60s, there should at least be a reduced amount available, but there isn’t.
You could work another five years to reach the minimum age 65/20 years of service threshold. Please call us at 1-800-222-7377 or schedule an appointment with a Counselor to discuss your options.
I have been receiving reimbursement of my Medicare Part A premium included in my monthly retirement check ever since I signed up in 2018 when I turned 65. I received my January check and it included the new amount of the Medicare Part A premium, (it goes up every year of course) like always. But I just got my February check and it was much less. I checked online and saw they were sending me a benefit change notice that said they were paying me $0 for Medicare Part A reimbursement, and what my new monthly check amount will be. What happened? Why did they stop paying me back for Part A?
Please call us at 1-800-222-7377 and a member of our staff can look into your situation.
thank you it means a lot
My job was abolished I have 21 years of service in will I get a severance package offered? Can I purchase years of service, even though I did not serve in the service?
Joyce,
Call 800-222-7377, and a Member Services representative can help you.
–Ohio PERS
How do I get reimbursement forms?
William,
Call Via Benefits at 1-844-287-9945 to request those forms. Or visit their website: https://my.viabenefits.com/opers
Is vacation accrual rate changes calculated on pay periods worked or per year of service (365 days)?
Please contact your employer to get additional information on the vacation accrual. Thanks MS
I retired from OPERS employment (City of Barberton) at the end of June, 2020. Before my last day, I signed up to be a school crossing guard in the Fall of 2020. The City of Barberton also handles employment of the cities’ school crossing guards.
Human Resources failed to inform me that the school crossing guard job would interfere with my OPERS pension benefit. When I filled out the paper-work, thru my employer, for the part-time job, there was a section at the bottom of one of the forms that stated “As a part-time employee for the City of Barberton, you have the option to participate in OPERS. This 10% withholding is taken post-tax. If you choose to participate, the City will match 14% of earnings and Social Security will not be withheld. If electing OPERS, please complete the following three forms: OPERSPersonal History, Beneficiary, andSocial Security SSA-1945 form. The next paragraph, under that, states: “If NOT electing OPERS, Social Security will be withheld. Do not complete any forms”. Because I retired at my full retirement age, with 29+ years of service, I didn’t think a part-time crossing guard position would affect my pension. I told HR I wanted to opt out of OPERS, with this part-time job.
I started getting OPERS benefit checks in July. On August 24th, 2020 I started the part-time school crossing guard position. On Oct. 21st, 2020, I received a letter from OPERS that my HRA and pension would be affected by my part-time job! Not only that, but money taken out of my pay checks for the part-time job was going into Money Purchase Plan account. I turned in my resignation and worked my last day on Oct. 23rd.
I now realize I should never have assumed it was okay to work the part-time job without calling someone at OPERS. I figured HR would have advised me other-wise.
My question now is: What happens in a case like this to rectify my account? Will I be liable to repay any of the months I received an OPERS benefit check?
Cindy,
Call us at 800-222-7377 and ask one of our Member Services representatives to review your account.
My wife recently resigned. I colleague told me that OPERS will buy 25% of sick time. Is that true?
OPERS does not offer an option to purchase the members sick time. Thanks M.S
for all my years of retirement my Social Security pension has been reduced due the “windfall” reduction since I am also retired under PERS – in discussions with my congressman it was revealed over 130,000 PERS pensioners in Ohio are affected by this reduction…since this is money we were taxed on it is unfair not to recieve the full due benefits…I would hope OPERS would join with our legislators to end this unfair and discriminatory policy
Carl,
We certainly are actively engaged, and have been for years, with members of Congress who are seeking solutions to the WEP issue. The latest figures we’ve seen from the Congressional Research Service is that 146,441 retirees in Ohio are affected by the WEP.
I left state employment around 2002. How can I find out if I have funds in a retirement account?
Marva,
Please contact our member service center at 1-800-222-7377 they will be able to assist you with your questions.
Thanks MS
At what rate Can an opers retire rehire accrue vacation?
M. Hummer,
Please refer to your employer with questions about vacation accrual.
Thanks,
MS
I am in group B, I have 28yrs in as of October 2022. I qualify for reduced retirement as of July 1st 2022. If I resign or get terminated from my employment before then, will I still qualify to collect the reduced retirement on July 1st, when I turn 55yoa?
Rob,
The minimum qualifications for a reduced pension benefit for those in Group B are age 55 and 25 years of service credit. You do not have to be an active member to qualify for a retirement benefit. However, know that you will not qualify for health care until age 60.
I have service credit from a SERS account and have Old-sick leave listed on my pay stub. When I retire, what percentage of that will I get? I understand that my sick-leave is payed out at 55%, is my old-sick leave paid out the same?
Kimberly, You will need to speak with your employer in regards to any pay outs of sick and/or vacation time. Thank you, OPERS
When you are planning on retirement and decide to cash in time accumulated during the last year, using the Agency’s cash in system. It was previously stated that this value would be added into the calculation for determining FAS. Is this done automatically or does the retiree need to inform PERS that they will be using the time conversion, when applying for retirement.
Secondly, what happens if you decide to retire mid year; does the converted time still apply or does it work differently, since the cash conversion was for the previous years time and the retiree has now accumulated half a year more time. How does it work then? Thank you.
William, as long as the payment is considered earnable salary, which is determined by the employer, then the employer will report the contributions to OPERS. Please contact your employer directly to determine how the payout will be classified, including any final payout prior to retirement. Thank you, OPERS