When Can You Retire in Ohio as a Public Employee?

Public employees in Ohio navigate a distinct retirement system, separate from federal Social Security. The state has established several public retirement systems, each with specific eligibility criteria for different groups of workers. These systems govern when and how benefits can be accessed, based on service time and age.

Ohio’s Public Retirement Systems

Ohio operates several independent public retirement systems, each serving a specific segment of the state’s workforce. These systems manage pension funds and provide retirement, disability, and survivor benefits. Unlike most private sector employees, Ohio public employees typically do not contribute to or receive Social Security benefits from their public employment.

The Ohio Public Employees Retirement System (OPERS) is the largest, serving state, local, and municipal employees not covered by other systems, including administrative staff and general government employees. The State Teachers Retirement System of Ohio (STRS Ohio) provides benefits for certified educators in Ohio’s public schools and universities, such as teachers, professors, and superintendents.

Non-teaching school employees, like bus drivers and custodians, are covered by the School Employees Retirement System of Ohio (SERS). Law enforcement and public safety personnel have specialized systems. The Ohio Police & Fire Pension Fund (OP&F) covers police officers and firefighters. The Highway Patrol Retirement System (HPRS) is dedicated to uniformed members of the Ohio State Highway Patrol.

General Retirement Eligibility Principles

Across Ohio’s public retirement systems, eligibility primarily revolves around age and service credit. Service credit represents the time an employee has worked in a covered position, typically accrued based on years of employment. Specific rules apply for full-time, part-time work, or breaks in service.

“Full retirement” means meeting age and service credit requirements for an unreduced monthly pension benefit. This provides the maximum benefit based on final average salary and years of service. “Early retirement” options allow members to receive benefits before full eligibility, but these benefits are typically reduced due to the longer payment period.

Many systems also use “tiers” or different benefit structures, determined by an employee’s date of hire. These tiers reflect changes in retirement laws and plan designs, meaning eligibility rules, benefit calculation formulas, and contribution rates can vary. Understanding one’s specific tier is crucial for determining retirement eligibility.

Specific System Retirement Rules

Retirement age and service credit requirements vary considerably among Ohio’s public retirement systems, often depending on the member’s hire date. Each system has unique criteria for unreduced and early retirement benefits.

Ohio Public Employees Retirement System (OPERS)

For members of the Ohio Public Employees Retirement System (OPERS), eligibility rules are categorized into Group A, Group B, and Group C, based on hire date.
For an unreduced benefit, Group A members may retire at any age with 30 years of service, or at age 65 with at least 5 years of service. Early retirement with a reduced benefit is possible for Group A members at age 55 with 25 years of service or age 60 with 5 years.
Group B members can receive an unreduced benefit at age 52 with 31 years of service or age 66 with 5 years. Early retirement with a reduced benefit is possible for Group B members at age 55 with 25 years of service or age 60 with 5 years.
Group C members are eligible for an unreduced benefit at age 55 with 32 years of service, or age 67 with 5 years. Early retirement with a reduced benefit is possible for Group C members at age 57 with 25 years of service or age 62 with 5 years.
Law enforcement and public safety employees under OPERS have distinct eligibility timetables.

State Teachers Retirement System of Ohio (STRS Ohio)

For the Defined Benefit Plan, effective June 1, 2025, an unreduced benefit requires 32 years of service at any age, or age 65 with 5 years of service. Early retirement (reduced) is possible with 27 years of service at any age, or age 60 with 5 years. The 32-year service rule is a temporary adjustment, potentially reverting to 33 years in 2030 and 34 years in 2032.

School Employees Retirement System of Ohio (SERS)

Members can retire with an unreduced benefit at age 67 with 10 years of service, or with 30 years of service at any age if grandfathered in before a certain date. Early retirement (reduced) is available at age 62 with 10 years of service, or age 55 with 25 years of service. Specific hire dates can affect these criteria, with some members grandfathered into older rules.

Ohio Police & Fire Pension Fund (OP&F)

OP&F rules differ for those hired before and after July 1, 2013. For members whose OP&F membership began on or before July 1, 2013, normal service retirement is age 48 with 25 years of service. For those hired after July 1, 2013, normal service retirement is age 52 with 25 years of service. An age/service commuted retirement is an option for members with 15 years of service credit who are still contributing at age 62.

Highway Patrol Retirement System (HPRS)

Members can receive a full pension at age 48 with 25 years of service, or age 52 with 20 years of service. For members hired on or after January 1, 2020, the minimum retirement age is 52 with 20 years of qualifying service. A deferred pension is available for members with 20 years of service who retire before reaching the age requirement, payable upon attaining age 52.

Applying for Retirement Benefits

Once eligible, the next step is the formal application process with your retirement system. Application forms are typically available for download from the system’s official website. For example, OPERS offers forms through its online account, STRS Ohio provides an online application, and OP&F has member forms available.

It is advisable to submit the retirement application several months before your desired retirement date, often two to six months in advance. OPERS recommends applying at least two months prior, while OP&F suggests a pre-retirement interview three to four months beforehand. This allows time for processing and verification.

Required documentation includes personal identification, such as a birth certificate, and if applicable, a spouse’s birth certificate and marriage certificate for joint and survivor plans. Beneficiary information, including names, Social Security numbers, and birth dates, must also be provided. Financial details, such as bank account and routing numbers for direct deposit, are essential. Some systems may require proof of Medicare enrollment for health care coverage eligibility.

If you have service credit with multiple Ohio retirement systems, contact each system to understand any impact on your benefits or to explore options for combining service credit. After submission, applicants receive confirmation and may be asked for additional information. The timeline for the first payment will be communicated once the application is approved.