Three STRS retirement board seats up for election

In spring 2022, the State Teachers Retirement System (STRS) Ohio will hold an election for two contributing member seats and one retired teacher member seat on the State Teachers Retirement Board. The terms will begin on Sept. 1, 2022.

Individuals interested can now request petitions from STRS Ohio by calling toll-free 888-227-7877. The deadline for petitions is no later than 4:30 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 25, 2022. 

Those eligible for nomination for the contributing member seats are individuals presently contributing to STRS Ohio or those who have contributions on deposit with STRS Ohio. 

• Nominations of a contributing member candidate must be made by petitions: 
  • Signed by at least 500 members of STRS Ohio (members defined as those contributing to or having contributions on deposit with STRS Ohio), AND
  • Contain signatures of at least 20 members from at least 10 counties where members are employed.
• Nominations must be on petition forms prepared by STRS Ohio; no other forms will be accepted. 
• Those not eligible to sign a petition for a contributing member are retired teachers, STRS Ohio retirees who are reemployed in an STRS Ohio-covered position, and those who do not have an account with STRS Ohio.

Those eligible for nomination for the retired teacher member seat are Ohio residents who are current service retirement benefit recipients, including disability benefit recipients who have converted to service retirement under the Defined Benefit Plan. The law provides that the retired teacher members of the Retirement Board must be recipients of service retirement benefits, not reemployed in an STRS Ohio-covered position, and residents of Ohio. 

• Nomination of a retired teacher member candidate must be made by petitions: 
  • Signed by at least 500 retired teachers of the State Teachers Retirement System who receive service retirement benefits, AND
  • Containing the signatures of at least 20 retired teachers from at least 10 counties wherein such retirees receiving service retirement benefits under the system reside. 
• Nominations must be on petition forms prepared by STRS Ohio; no other forms will be accepted. 
• Persons receiving disability retirement benefits and survivor benefits are not eligible to sign this petition. 

Individuals interested in running for these seats can request petitions from STRS Ohio beginning on Nov. 1, 2021, by calling toll-free 888‑227‑7877. The deadline for returning petitions is Feb. 25, 2022. 

STRS Ohio members will receive their ballots and voting information in April and they will have through May 2 to cast their vote. The winners of the election will begin their four-year terms on the board on Sept. 1, 2022. 

Board members are not compensated for board service other than reimbursement for actual, necessary expenses.

More information about the election can be found on STRS Ohio’s website.