OPERS offers education on many topics
The Ohio Public Employees Retirement System offers a variety of educational opportunities in various formats for members, retirees and employers.
Whether it’s guiding new members in their selection of a retirement plan, helping them learn the importance of saving or aiding those approaching retirement, our education subject roster is comprehensive. It includes in-person seminars, live webinars, recorded presentations and a large library of written information.
Start by visiting the OPERS website. The best way to find out which educational opportunities are for you is by clicking on the appropriate tab at the top of the home page, such as “Members,” “Retirees” or “Employers.” You’ll find a subhead titled “Educational Opportunities” in the resources section. Please note that you can sign up for an in-person seminar only if you are a member of the retirement transition group for which the seminar is designed.
- For members, there is an introductory video that can help you choose the education that is right for your retirement transition group. On the OPERS website, the educational opportunities are listed according to your retirement plan and retirement group.
- For retirees, we currently have a seminar/webinar for those under 65. Several videos and recorded presentations are available online.
- For employers, we provide recorded presentations and webinars on current topics of interest, and we maintain a large list of helpful tools, manuals, forms and publications.
- Health care has its own list of educational resources, including documents that you may need, as well as links to providers.
- We also have a comprehensive set of forms that apply to members, retirees and employers, and a long list of helpful publications that address many of the questions our members have.
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.
WHAT KIND OF PLAN DO I HAVE
Debra,
We are not sure what you’re referencing. If you’re wondering what kind of pension plan you signed up for, go to your online account or call us at 800-222-7377. If you’re referring to your health care coverage through the Connector, you will have to call OneExchange at 844-287-9945.
–Ohio PERS
I recently received a letter from OPERS about the fact that OPERS was notified that I was re-employed by a OPERS contributing agency. I am trying to understand that I will likely pay an additional $74/month due to the fact I am a OPERS retiree and the job is with another OPERS contributing agency. This sounds like a penalty for going back to work to a OPERS contributing agency, or what a person might view as a penalty for double dipping. I have been told this is due to Obama care.
I would like to see the exact reference in Obamacare, that OPERS uses for this rule. I was told by another coworker, who retired under STERS, that they did not have such a rule. It is my understanding that this re-employment rule only applies to re-employment in a OPERS agency. If I go to work in the private sector, this does not apply. So again this like a double dipping penalty and is a discouragement from working in any public sector job that contributes to OPERS.
Duane,
Last year the OPERS Board of Trustees approved a temporary premium reduction from 2016-18 for retirees under 65 who are not re-employed, as a response to the Cadillac Tax proposal in the Affordable Care Act. Re-employed retirees are not paying an additional $74 per month — they’re just not receiving this temporary reduction.
–Ohio PERS
I am currently a Ohio Police & Fire Disability Retiree. Does OPERS allow contributions if I were to be employed by the State?
Charles,
If your disability benefit is solely with OP&F and you begin work for an OPERS-covered employer, you would contribute toward a money purchase plan with OPERS.
If you have a joint disability benefit with another retirement system and you begin employment with an OPERS-covered employer, your disability benefit should be terminated. You would contribute regularly to OPERS.
Please contact us at 800-222-7377 if you have any questions about your disability benefit.
–Ohio PERS
Could you consider dedicating a video “health care chat” to explain in more detail the differences between Medicare Supplement policies and Medicare Advantage polices. I don’t think all the oneexchange representatives were well versed in the differences. A better understanding of the differences before open enrollment in 2016 could be very helpful to many.
Great idea, Jim! Thank you.
– Ohio PERS