Help your child select the right retirement plan with OPERS

By Michael Pramik, Ohio Public Employees Retirement System

May 7, 2026 – If your child has a summer job with a public entity in Ohio, there’s a good chance that job is covered by OPERS.

That means your child will be earning money toward a pension in addition to picking up a salary for cutting grass, lifeguarding or other traditional summer jobs. Thus, it’s important that your child choose the right OPERS retirement plan. The choices they make today can impact their retirement future.

Comparing the plans

After children are hired they will have 180 days to select the one of the two OPERS retirement plans:

• Traditional Pension Plan
• Member-Directed Plan

The easiest way to compare the plans is to use the Plan Comparison Calculator. Your child can find it by logging into or creating an online account. The calculator allows OPERS participants to:

• Input personalized information, such as salary
• Find out what the retirement payments and refund amounts would be from all three plans

The Selecting Your Retirement Plan page includes the Plan Choice Video Quiz.

Things to consider

It's important to remember the Member-Directed plan has a monthly administrative fee of $6 charged to all accounts, regardless of balance. This fee may affect children’s account balance if they choose the Member-Directed plan and only work part of a year and are not contributing consistently to OPERS.

If they select the Traditional Pension Plan, they will not be charged the $6 monthly fee.

No matter which plan they choose, your child can leave the account on deposit with OPERS when the seasonal or part-time job ends. If they decide to return to the same job, or any other OPERS-covered position, they can pick up where they left off and continue contributing to the same plan.

You can search for OPERS-covered employers on the OPERS website.

Remember – it’s never too early to start saving for retirement.

Learn to win the caregiving marathon, one step at a time

By Betsy Butler, Ohio Public Employees Retirement System

April 29, 2026 – Whether caring for children, aging parents, or someone dealing with health challenges, caregivers are often the unsung heroes of a difficult chapter of life.

Keeping track of appointments, managing medications, making phone calls, handling paperwork and juggling logistics can make you feel like you’re running a marathon with no end in sight.

Taking care of others at a constant pace can suddenly become a stumbling block. When something breaks, everything can give way.  At once, your ability to cope – indeed, your entire life - seems like it has disappeared.

That’s why it’s critical to protect and prepare yourself for the long haul.

Caregiving is isolating, stressful, exhausting and overwhelming, especially when you didn’t choose this vocation. It has a way of making you feel like you have to manage the weight of everything yourself. You weren’t meant to navigate this unfamiliar territory on your own. You have to try to find other ways to carry what you cannot.

Looking at your support network is a good start. One supportive person doesn’t usually meet every one of your needs, but you can probably identify several people who could be willing to help. Consider those relatives and friends who can help with practical things like chores and shopping, others who are good at giving advice and discussing issues, and those who can offer welcome distractions like taking a walk, sharing a meal or planning for a regular phone conversation. If help from loved ones is not available, identify community and volunteer organizations that can assist. Although it may be difficult to ask for help, social engagement can make a significant positive impact on well-being and reduce feelings of isolation.

Support can take other forms. Attend in-person or virtual support group meetings, allowing for sharing experiences with others who understand. Utilize temporary respite care services that can allow caregivers to rest and re-energize, even if just for a few hours. Seek professional counseling to manage anxiety and provide coping strategies.

Burnout is a caregiver’s worst enemy. Watch for signs like chronic fatigue, irritability and depression, and seek help immediately when these occur. Get in the habit of asking for help as soon as you need it. Don’t wait until a situation becomes unmanageable.

Caregivers frequently face a rollercoaster of emotions, including feelings of loss, guilt, anger and loneliness. These feelings are normal, and it’s critical to acknowledge and respond to them so you can continue your calling with strength and grace. When things get especially challenging, pause for a moment. Consider whether you have enough patience, empathy and even humor to forge ahead, or whether it’s better to give yourself some time to collect your thoughts and emotions. Protect the person you love, and yourself, from a moment going wrong. Ensure that the moment goes how you’d like it to go when you’re rested, positive and proud of what you’re doing. After the moment passes, consider making a game plan for the future so that those feelings of being overwhelmed, fed up, anxious and afraid stop catching you off guard and start signaling how you can move forward with peace and positivity.

Taking care of yourself is key. Maintain healthy eating habits, exercise regularly and get as much rest as you can. Seek out time for yourself, pursuing something you enjoy. When you’re feeling overwhelmed, practice deep breathing techniques, meditation and prayer to slow your heart rate, calm you down and help you think more clearly.

Finally, listen to podcasts from fellow caregivers and knowledgeable experts, such as Twenty-Four Seven: A Podcast About Caregiving from Texas Public Radio, the Dementia Care Partner Talk Show Podcastwith dementia educator Teepa Snow, and the Happy Healthy Caregiver Podcast with Certified Caregiving Consultant Elizabeth Miller.

Without moments that offer respite and perspective, this season can quietly turn once-loving relationships into feelings of resentment, exhaustion and regret. That’s the last thing you want for the present, and how you’ll remember it once it concludes.

When you look back on this season someday, it won’t be the tasks you remember. It will be the unexpected moments where you realize that caring for your loved one was a special gift. This season offers an opportunity to build the interior strength that the hard days demand, feel pride in what you’re doing, and look forward in hope to the future.

This month: We address required minimum distribution, health care issues

By Michael Pramik, Ohio Public Employees Retirement System

April 23, 2026 – Members and retirees often ask us questions through our social media channels that others could benefit from. Periodically we post these questions and answers in our PERSpective blog.

Q: I will turn 73 soon. As a rehired retiree, I received an OPERS Money Purchase account during my re-employment. Is the money accrued in this account subject to the required minimum distribution requirement?

A: Yes. You will be subject to the RMD if you are not actively contributing and you reach the applicable age established by the Internal Revenue Code Section 401(a)(9).

Q: I took an OPERS partial lump-sum option payment, and now I receive my normal pension. Do I have a required minimum distribution amount I need to take out every month? I’ve used my PLOP money elsewhere, and the IRS is asking what the RMD amount is that I am getting from OPERS.

A: You are subject to the RMD only if you are not receiving a distribution and you reach the applicable age established by the Internal Revenue Code Section 401(a)(9).

Q: I was working outside of the system before becoming an OPERS member. How can I tell which retirement group I’m in – A, B or C?

A: Your retirement group is listed on the Annual Statement of Estimated Benefits that OPERS prepares for you. After signing in to your online account, click “View My Annual Statement Now” under Notifications on the account home page. You also can locate the statement under the “Documents, Document History” section in your account. Unless you have set your correspondence preference to electronic, you should receive a printed copy in the mail between now and the end of April. The estimates shared in your Annual Statement are calculated based on your group.

Q: When I retired I elected to have my beneficiary – my wife – receive half my pension. Is that amount determined when I retired or the date that I should pass on?

A: The joint life percentage amount was calculated at retirement. The amount is based on the percentage of the benefit amount when you pass.

Q: Will my monthly HRA benefit continue to my husband, who is the joint beneficiary on my OPERS benefit, if I precede him in death? Thank you.

A: Your HRA deposits will end upon your passing, and your spouse as the joint-life beneficiary will not receive additional deposits. However, if there is a remaining HRA balance it will be available for reimbursement claims for up to 24 months after your passing. Your surviving spouse and eligible dependent(s) may submit claims for any eligible expenses incurred by you prior to the date of death or any ongoing expenses incurred by your spouse or eligible dependent(s). Any remaining balance after the 24-month period will be forfeited and will be returned to the OPERS Health Care Fund. 

Q: Where can I find the Statement of Employment and Earnings form for disability beneficiaries?

A: The Statement of Employment and Earnings form is now electronic and can be found on the home page of your online account, under the Notifications section, or under the Documents, Document History menu.

Q: Does OPERS have a list of vision providers?

A: Individual vision providers are available on MetLife’s website, at www.metlife.com/opers

Q: I start my retirement soon. When should I receive my first benefit payment?

A: The issuance of your first benefit payment is within eight business days from the date that we receive all required paperwork for processing, or the benefit effective date, whichever is later.

National Financial Literacy Month highlights pathways toward smart decisions

By Michael Pramik, Ohio Public Employees Retirement System

April 16, 2026 – April is recognized nationwide as National Financial Literacy Month, a time set aside to encourage people to take a closer look at their finances and build the knowledge needed to make informed decisions. At OPERS, we know our members are focused on long-term financial security. Whether you’re early in your career, approaching retirement or already retired, April can be a useful reminder to pause and review where you stand.

Financial literacy doesn’t require a major overhaul of your finances. Sometimes it simply means taking a few minutes to check your savings progress, revisit a retirement plan or explore tools that help clarify financial decisions. OPERS provides a pension that serves as a foundation for retirement security, but many members supplement that benefit with personal savings and additional retirement plans.

One place members can explore additional retirement planning resources is Ohio Deferred Compensation, which is now part of OPERS. The program offers several tools designed to help members better understand their financial picture and make adjustments as needed.

No matter where you are in life, Ohio DC has resources that can help answer important questions.

Already saving and want to learn more?

Members can explore the Enrich financial wellness platform along with a variety of calculators and planning tools. These resources can help you review your financial goals, estimate savings needs and consider ways to strengthen your overall plan.

Approaching retirement?

Members who are 50 or older may be eligible for catch-up contributions, allowing them to increase the amount they set aside each year. It can also be a good time to begin thinking about how savings will be used in retirement and to consider strategies for managing withdrawals.

Already retired?

Some retirees choose to keep their savings with Ohio DC to continue benefiting from the plan’s low fees and growth potential. Retirement can also be a good time to review beneficiary designations to make sure they reflect your current wishes.

Financial Literacy Month also can be a good opportunity to explore other reputable sources of financial education. Websites such as Investor.gov and MyMoney.gov offer free information about budgeting, saving, investing and retirement planning.

Ultimately, financial literacy isn’t about becoming an expert overnight. It’s about staying informed, asking questions and using the tools available to make thoughtful decisions over time. Small steps today can help support long-term financial confidence—and a more secure retirement tomorrow.

Members, retirees to select 4 of the 11 trustee seats this year

By Michael Pramik, Ohio Public Employees Retirement System

April 9, 2026 – Four OPERS Board of Trustees seats are up for election this year – the college/university, municipal and state employees seats, and one of the retiree seats. Trustees approved the schedule for the elections at their meeting on March 18.

The key dates include:

• June 1: Formal notice of the election will be conveyed by postcard mailed to retirees at their home address of record. Also, formal notice of election posters, petitions and forms will be mailed to employers, and petitions and forms will be made available upon request for those interested in running for election.
• Aug. 3: This is the last day for OPERS to receive petitions, forms and biographical statements from those who wish to seek election. The documents must be received at the OPERS office by 4:30 p.m.
• August Board meeting: The OPERS Board will certify the slate of candidates and biographies to appear in voting materials.
• Aug. 25: Voting materials will be mailed to qualified voters at their home address of record. Telephone and Internet voting will go live.
• Oct. 2: This is the last day that votes will be received, through 11:59 p.m.
• Oct. 5: A representative of the Ohio Secretary of State’s office will verify the election results.
• October Board meeting: The OPERS Board of Trustees will certify the election results.

OPERS has forms, other resources available online for retirees

By Michael Pramik, Ohio Public Employees Retirement System

April 2, 2026 – Tax Day is on April 15 this year, and we’ve put together a brief video that shows OPERS retirees how to access their tax forms online. It also points members toward additional tax-related resources on the OPERS website.

Document estimates retirement benefit, shows value of working longer

By Michael Pramik, Ohio Public Employees Retirement System

March 26, 2026 – Each year OPERS prepares the Annual Statement of Estimated Benefits for our members. The current version is now available to view and print within your online account.

Here’s how to find it: After signing in to your account, click “View My Annual Statement Now” under Notifications on the account home page. You also can locate the statement under the “Documents, Document History” section in your account. Unless you have specifically requested to only receive an electronic statement, you will receive a printed copy in the mail between now and the end of April.

The statement is a snapshot of your estimated benefit as of Dec. 31, 2025, and features estimates beyond your initial eligibility, illustrating the value of working longer. It shows you not only the estimated dollar amount, but also the percentage of your estimated final average salary you will receive if you choose to retire with a reduced or unreduced benefit, or if you continue working a few years longer.

You also can find your OPERS ID on the statement. The OPERS ID is an 11-digit personalized identification method you can use in place of your Social Security number in many instances, such as verifying your identity over the phone and submitting OPERS forms. It will remain with you throughout your entire OPERS membership.

Your statement provides a basic estimate of your retirement benefits and other valuable, personalized information. Also, if you participate in the Traditional Pension Plan, you can always generate a variety of retirement benefit estimates by logging in to your online account at opers.org, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

If you are having trouble accessing your account, you should first click on “Forgot Username or Password.” If you are still unable to log in and have not accessed your account within the last year, your registration may have been deleted when OPERS made security upgrades in 2025. You should be able to use the “Create account” link to re-establish your account.

Please call us at 1-800-222-7377 if you need further assistance accessing your online account. 

Online tool reveals where you can work within our pension system

By Michael Pramik, Ohio Public Employees Retirement System

March 19, 2026 – OPERS has a network of more than 3,700 employers across the state that pay into the system on behalf of their employees. Working for one of them can make you eligible for an OPERS retirement benefit.

When we’re asked exactly where people can work in order to be a part of the OPERS system, we’re happy to point them in the right direction.

OPERS offers a website tool that can help anyone search for an OPERS employer. To learn which OPERS-covered employers are in your area, all you have to do is search by city or county. You also can search for specific employers by name, address or classification.

The webpage also allows you to download our entire employer data list in pdf or spreadsheet formats.

If you or someone you know is looking to build a purposeful career in an OPERS-covered position, refer to the OPERS employer search page.

Receive email notifications of posts regarding your retirement system

By Michael Pramik, Ohio Public Employees Retirement System

March 12, 2026 – OPERS encourages all members and retirees to subscribe to the PERSpective blog, our weekly update on your retirement system.

PERSpective provides a convenient way for our members and stakeholders to communicate with us and to learn about important pension and health care issues. 

To subscribe, use the subscription box in the right-side column on the blog’s home page. Simply enter your email address, and you’ll be notified each time there’s a new post.

Thanks for your interest in reading PERSpective.

System has 82 cents on hand for every dollar owed in future liabilities

By Michael Pramik, Ohio Public Employees Retirement System

March 5, 2026 – OPERS’ funded level at the end of 2025 is expected to decline about one percentage point from the previous year, according to preliminary investment returns from last year.

Return results as of Dec. 31 show that the OPERS Defined Benefit Fund earned a 14.4% return in 2025. Despite the favorable investment performance, the system’s estimated funded ratio is expected to decline to 82% from 83%. That means OPERS has 82 cents for every dollar it owes in future liabilities.

The forecasted time expected to pay off the system’s unfunded actuarial accrued liabilities, defined as the amortization period, is estimated to increase from 15 years to 17 years.

OPERS smooths its pension investment returns over a four-year period for funding purposes, which explains why the funded level is down slightly after a year in which we outgained our assumed investment rate of return of 6.9%.

OPERS expects an investment gain of about $7.3 billion last year. Because of our four-year smoothing structure, we would recognize about $1.8 billion of that gain in 2025. However, heading into last year, OPERS had an unrecognized net loss carryforward of $2.4 billion that gets fully recognized this year, and thus the funded level is expected to decline by 1%.

Going forward, OPERS should have a net unrecognized asset gain carryforward of about $7 billion, to be recognized over the next three years.

For the OPERS Health Care Plan, the primary funding metric is the estimated remaining years of solvency. With a preliminary 12-month investment return of 16.4% as of Dec. 31, the plan’s solvency period is expected to improve to 32 years, from 27 at the end of 2024.

This forecast is based on consideration of just one factor in the final actuarial analysis. While investment returns make up a key component of the final analysis, there will be other factors that are part of the final actuarial valuation. OPERS’ external actuary will present the final asset and liability results to the OPERS Board of Trustees in May for the pension plan and in September for the health care plan.