State Public Pensions in Ohio

The continuing benefit depends on the payment option the retiree elected. A single-life payment option leaves no continuing monthly benefit, while a joint-survivor or period-certain option may continue a benefit to the named beneficiary.¹

On the death of an STRS Ohio service-retirement or disability benefit recipient, STRS Ohio automatically pays a $1,000 tax-free death benefit to a designated or qualified beneficiary.²

STRS Ohio recipients may have purchased an additional $1,000 or $2,000 death benefit, which is taxable.²

Under the Traditional Pension and Combined plans, OPERS may pay a monthly survivor benefit if the member had at least 18 months of full-time service at the time of death, with at least 3 of those months in the 2.5 years before death.¹

State and local government workers³

Teachers^{2, 4}

Non-teaching school employees¹

Police and fire¹

Highway patrol¹