STRS Ohio: Eligibility

Defined Benefit Plan (DB)

As a DB Plan member, you qualify for lifetime benefits after meeting one of the eligibility requirements indicated in the table below.

If you leave Ohio public service and do not withdraw your STRS Ohio account, you will be eligible to receive a benefit when you meet one of the age and service requirements listed above.

*Must have 5.00 years of qualifying service credit, which includes: earned credit with STRS Ohio, Ohio Public Employees Retirement System (OPERS) or School Retirement System of Ohio (SERS); restored withdrawn credit with STRS Ohio, OPERS or SERS; interrupted Ohio public service due to military service; and earned and restored credit that transfers from Ohio Police & Fire Pension Fund, Highway Patrol Retirement System or Cincinnati Retirement System.

Defined Contribution Plan (DC)

As a DC Plan member, you are eligible for retirement benefits the first day of the month following the latter of:

· Month in which you become age 50

· Last day of actual employment in an STRS Ohio-covered position; or

· Month in which you apply.

Combined Plan (CO)

As a CO Plan member, your effective retirement date for the defined contribution portion of your account is the first day of the month following the latter of:

· Month in which you become age 50,

· Last day of actual employment in an STRS Ohio-covered position, or

· Month in which you apply.

For the defined benefit portion, your effective retirement date is the first of the month following the latter of:

· Month in which you become age 60, or

· Last day of actual employment in an STRS Ohio-covered position.

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