The State Teachers Retirement System of Ohio was founded in 1920. Today, STRS Ohio is one of the largest public pension funds in the United States, serving active, inactive and retired Ohio public educators.
The mission of STRS Ohio is to provide Ohio’s public educators a foundation for their financial security. The vision of STRS Ohio is to serve current and future Ohio public educators and their loved ones.
As of June 30, 2023$91.0
fiduciary net position
In fiscal 2023536,751
active, inactive and retired
In fiscal 2023$7.5
total benefit payments
Member and employer contributions, as well as income from investments, provide funds for pension benefits and health care coverage. In addition to 14% member and 14% employer contributions, investments income typically funds the greater portion of retirement benefits.
The funding period and funded ratio are both indicators of the health of the fund.
Ohio statute requires STRS Ohio to have a funding period of no more than 30 years or to submit a plan to reduce its funding period to reach this target.
As of June 30, 202311.2 years
STRS Ohio funding period
Funding period: Time STRS Ohio would need to fully fund benefits for current and future retirees
As of June 30, 202380.0%
Market value of assets funded ratio
Funded ratio: STRS Ohio assets as a percentage of what it owes to current and future retirees
STRS Ohio members include public school teachers and administrators and higher education faculty. Members are employed by 1,132 school districts, vocational schools, colleges and universities, county boards of developmental disabilities, and community and charter schools.
$4,103
Average monthly benefit
In fiscal 2023$85,961
Average final average salary
STRS Ohio has209
Defined Benefit Plan
Current90%
6%
4%
109,000
Health Care Program enrollees
In fiscal 2023$376
paid in medical and pharmacy costs for the Health Care Program enrollees — an average of more than $1.0 million per day
STRS Ohio plays a critical role in supporting and sustaining the state of Ohio. Select a county or congressional, house or senate district from the menu below to view the number of STRS Ohio members, earnings and benefits paid throughout the state.
in fiscal 2023 Number of active members Total active member earnings Number of benefit recipients Total payments to benefit recipients
8 out of 10
STRS Ohio benefit recipients live in Ohio
$5.8
STRS Ohio benefits distributed among 88 counties
Ohio’s five public pension systems are major economic drivers for the state; are administratively efficient and economical; and provide a stable retirement income for public workers in Ohio, thereby reducing the burden on taxpayers and Social Security.
In fiscal 2023$900
invested in companies headquartered in Ohio
STRS Ohio operates under the guidelines of Chapter 3307 of the Ohio Revised Code (R.C.). It is legally separate from and fiscally independent of state and local governments.
The long-term direction of STRS Ohio is set by the 11-member State Teachers Retirement Board, 11 senior staff members and about 500 associates.
These are the building blocks of how we will carry out our mission and vision. For more details check out our Strategic Goals.
Be authentic in our words and actions.
Cultivate trust through open, consistent and responsive communications.
Adhere to the highest standard of ethical conduct and take ownership of results.
Build excellence through continuous improvement.
Be prudent and responsible in the matters entrusted to our care.
Value diversity in people and thought
Treat everyone with dignity.
Investment in people
Attract, retain, develop and empower motivated associates.
At the Ohio State Teachers Association meeting in June 1916, an anonymous note was posted to a bulletin board stating, “Those teachers interested in the formation of a statewide teachers retirement system should meet in . ” Ten people assembled. STRS Ohio’s beginning was an idea written down on paper. Early leaders made it a reality.
1919 Legislation passed forming the first statewide actuarially-based teacher retirement system in the United States
1921 Served 34,000 educators and had 323 retirements in first year of operation 1929 Exceeded $60 million in total investments, during the Great Depression 1940s Exceeded $100 million in total investments, during World War II 1966 Exceeded $1 billion in total investments 1970s Benefits counseling began being offered 1980s Investments expand into real estate 1996 Member Services Center was started 1997 Member website was launched 2012 Legislation passed to strengthen the financial condition of the system 2020 Celebrated 100 years of servicePublic officials can contact STRS Ohio's governmental relations department for more information. Marla Bump Director, Governmental Relations [email protected] 614-227-4012 Anne Erkman Assistant Director, Governmental Relations [email protected] 614-227-2983
