What to do when a STRS Ohio account holder dies
Report the death to STRS Ohio at 1-888-227-7877
After an account holder at STRS Ohio dies, accounts with beneficiary designations or trust ownership transfer to the designated recipients without probate. Solely-owned accounts require the estate's representative to contact STRS Ohio at 1-888-227-7877 with the proper legal authority documents.
The claim process begins with a phone call to 1-888-227-7877. Have the account holder's full name, account numbers, and the death certificate available when making initial contact.
Death claim process
To file a claim after an account holder's death, here is what STRS Ohio requires:
Filing a claim
Required Documents
- Copy of the death certificate, for the death benefitSTRS Ohio's retirement brochures say "A copy of the death certificate is required".
- Proof of dependency, for a designated financially dependent beneficiary claiming a retirement-based survivor benefit
Forms STRS Ohio issues2
What happens to each kind of account1
- Pension
Monthly survivor benefits are effective the first of the month after the date of death. If the application is submitted more than 12 months after the date of death, they are effective the first of the month after the application is received.1
Some retirement-based benefits are lost if the application is received more than 12 months after the member's death. A continuing benefit under a retiree's plan of payment is paid to the beneficiaries designated at retirement.1
STRS Ohio can be reached by phone at 1-888-227-7877 for questions throughout the claims process.
Sources
Data sourced from STRS Ohio primary sources (20 pages reviewed). How we research.
STRS Ohio death claims support
STRS Ohio (report a death)
Phone
Website
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