OPERS improves benefit notices
Streamlined document is easier for retirees to read, understand
By Michael Pramik, Ohio Public Employees Retirement System
Dec. 16, 2021 – OPERS sends Statements of Benefit Payments to retirees whose benefits are affected by health care changes or tax changes in the new year. Based on member input, we’ve improved the notices that we’ll mail soon to affected retirees.
The streamlined documents are better in several ways:
- We’ve reordered the statement to be easier to follow, and we’re providing it in a table format so it’s more readable. It’s easier to see which amount goes with which line item, and items are presented in a more-logical order.
- Retirees will now see their original monthly benefit first, as well as their current gross benefit and any cost-of-living increases that apply. That information is followed by any tax deductions and vision/dental premium deductions that apply, and then the new net benefit amount.
- Retirees’ OPERS ID is now included on the notice.
There’s also information telling retirees why their payment has been adjusted.
We recommend that retirees keep a copy of the statement for your records. The notices will be viewable through your OPERS online account, usually a few day before the end of the month.
Regarding taxes, OPERS plans to mail all 2021 tax documents to retirees by the end of January.
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.
Thanks for the news about the update!
Speaking for myself, as we get older it becomes more difficult to follow everything on iPads!
I am eager to receive the new information.
Thanks for all you do for all of us!
Thanks, Jean. “As we get older…” it is difficult. VIA Benefits was not excluded in being able to hire reps to help us. (My fault too for not calling sooner!) Difficult to focus on the “many” plans and to compare. Place me in the 80s age group. Would prefer to choose between two plans to simplify.
I also want to say thank you to OPERS for all your hard work and thanks for keeping us up to date on everything cannot wait to see the new statement as this will be my very first statement as I just recently retired
Thank you for sharing this information.
I have received notice from Medicare of a substantial increase in both Part A and Part B for 2022. Will OPERS reimburse any of this increase?
Sharon,
Members receiving Medicare Part A reimbursement from OPERS will need to re-certify to continue receiving reimbursements for 2022. The Medicare Part A certifications were sent out by mail on Dec. 8. They are available to retrieve from the “Documents History” menu in your online account. You will need to complete the certification and submit proof of the new premium amount to OPERS by Jan. 21. Please contact Via Benefits to inquire what you need to submit in order to receive reimbursement for your Medicare Part B payment from your HRA.
Is there a way we can opt out of receiving the statement by mail and just download it from our online account? Seems more efficient and secure avoiding getting delivered to a neighbor by mail carrier mistake.
Rick,
Members can change their correspondence preference to electronic through their online accounts by going under the “My Profile” tab and clicking on “Contact Preferences.” Keep in mind that we are unable to send out account-specific information by email, so you may still receive some correspondence by mail.
Thank you for your reply. I was wondering if we could download it from the documents section and somehow optout of having it mailed. I understand if it can’t be done.
Rick,
For clarification, the statement of benefits will be sent/issued according to the retiree’s correspondence preference. You can designate this correspondence preference through your online account. If you select “electronic” as your preference, the statement of benefits will be available only through the online account. Even if the document is mailed, the document can still be viewed through the retiree’s online account under Document History.
WHEN WILL I RECEIVE MY 2022 BENEFITS NOTICE??????
Barbara,
That information is available in your online account.
Cutting the little amount of money retirees gets is wrong and then Medicare upping the cost by almost $30 dollars is very wrong people need the extra money to survive.
Hazel, I totally agree with you! Medicare eligible retirees took a 28% cut in their HRA base allowance (reduction from $450 to $350), while at the same time our Medicare part B premium has increased $22. Combined, these two events have significantly raised Medicare retirees expenses. Apparently, Hazel and I are the only ones to notice? This blog is entitled “OPERS Improves Benefit Notices.” That’s all well and good. But, it would be SO nice to see one titled “OPERS Improves Benefits for Medicare Retirees” for a change….
need to find date of retirement
Tom, You can find your retirement effective date through your online account. If you do not already have an online account, you may register from the upper right-hand corner of the OPERS website. If you need further assistance please contact us at 1-800-222-7377.