I’m thinking about retiring, what do I need to do?
OP&F urges members to submit all retirement forms at least 90 days prior to your anticipated final day of employment. This will help insure that you do not have any lapse in health care coverage between your employer’s plan and what you are eligible to select through OP&F.
- Make sure you meet the age and service time requirements for retirement or participation in the Deferred Retirement Option Plan. To do this, contact OP&F Customer Service, 1-888-864-8363, Monday – Friday 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- If you are already in DROP and are considering retirement, please review your DROP status to make sure you are familiar with minimum and maximum participation rules.
- Request a retirement packet from OP&F. Once you receive the packet, complete all necessary forms and return them to OP&F, this includes the Health Care Stipend Eligibility Form. We suggest submitting these forms at least 90 days prior to your estimated date of retirement. OP&F will acknowledge receipt of these forms or request any missing information.
- OP&F will audit your service time and calculate your monthly pension benefit. Your initial benefit will be an interim amount while the final contributions are received from your employer. Once your final benefit is confirmed, this is the amount you will receive monthly in retirement.
- Your interim benefit will be communicated to you prior to your retirement date.
Becoming eligible for the health care stipend
When you submit a Service Retirement Application or a Disability Benefit Application, members must also complete the Health Care Stipend Eligibility form, which is included in your retirement packet. This form will outline the eligibility requirements for receiving the stipend. New retirees must enroll in a health care or prescription drug plan through Alight Retiree Health Solutions within 60 days of losing access to health care from their employer. If more than 60 days elapse, the member must have a Qualifying Life Event to again become eligible for the stipend.
Once OP&F receives the Health Care Stipend Eligibility form and confirms eligibility for the stipend, it takes approximately two weeks for Alight (OP&F’s health care partner) to send information about enrolling in a health care plan and using your stipend to help pay for the plan. OP&F will notify the member if they are not eligible for a stipend.
Once the information is received from Alight, members who are not yet eligible for Medicare can create an account with Alight and shop for plans on the eHealth website, which is customized for OP&F retirees (https://retiree.alight.com/OP-F). As a pre-Medicare participant you will not have a scheduled appointment, however, if you need additional help Alight and eHealth will be able to assist you. Retirees who are 65 years of age or older must be enrolled in Medicare Part A and Part B and provide OP&F with a copy of your Medicare card. This is also necessary for early Medicare recipients. Medicare-eligible members will have a phone appointment set up where an Alight benefits advisor can assist you in what plans are available to supplement your Medicare coverage.
Once enrolled in an eligible plan, the providers you selected will contact Alight, who will then create a Health Reimbursement Account (HRA) for the member. Members should be aware that once they enroll with a health care provider, a premium may be required. Reimbursement for this premium through your HRA may not be available for several weeks. To contact Alight, please call 1-844-290-3674.If you are applying for a disability benefit…
OP&F encourages you to apply for COBRA coverage through your employer for health care coverage if you are applying for a disability benefit. Once you leave employment there will likely be a gap between when your employer’s health care coverage expires and when you will be eligible to enroll in a plan through OP&F. Obtaining COBRA coverage will prevent a lapse in coverage while your disability application is being considered. Once you are retired, COBRA is an eligible stipend expense.
Health care in retirement
If you plan on using the OP&F health care stipend in retirement, here is important eligibility information.
Retirement Packets
Important Health Care Information for OP&F retirees
Service Retirement Application
Annuity Payment Plan Selection form
Designation of Beneficiary for 1000 Lump Sum Death Benefit
Withholding Certificate for Ohio State Income Tax form
IRS Form W-4P Withholding Certificate for Periodic Pension or Annuity Payments
IRS Form W-4R Withholding Certificate for Non-Periodic Payments and Eligible Rollover Distributions
Designation of DROP Beneficiary
Health Care Stipend Eligibility Form
Important Health Care Information for OP&F retirees
Service Retirement Application
Annuity Payment Plan Selection form
Designation of Beneficiary for 1000 Lump Sum Death Benefit
Withholding Certificate for Ohio State Income Tax form
IRS Form W-4P Withholding Certificate for Periodic Pension or Annuity Payments
IRS Form W-4R Withholding Certificate for Non-Periodic Payments and Eligible Rollover Distributions
Designation of DROP Beneficiary
Health Care Stipend Eligibility Form
Important Health Care Information for OP&F retirees
Annuity Payment Plan Selection form
Designation of Beneficiary for 1000 Lump Sum Death Benefit
Report of Medical Evaluation form
DOL Police Officer & Fire Fighter Occupational Characteristics explanation form
Withholding Certificate for Ohio State Income Tax form
IRS Form W-4P Withholding Certificate for Periodic Pension or Annuity Payments
IRS Form W-4R Withholding Certificate for Non-Periodic Payments and Eligible Rollover Distributions
Health Care Stipend Eligibility Form
Scheduling a retirement interview
OP&F encourages you to visit our offices for a one-on-one, retirement interview. During this interview, Retirement Counselors provide an overview of the retirement process and provide an estimate of your pension benefits. Appointments fill up quickly. Please contact our Customer Service Department at 888-864-8363 to schedule a retirement interview approximately six months prior to your anticipated retirement date.
Service Retirement and DROP interview appointments are available Monday through Friday at 8:30, 10:00, 1:00 and 2:30. Disability appointments are available at 9:30 only. Parking is provided at no charge and OP&F encourages spouses to attend. Limited time slots are available each day for retirement interviews.
Virtual Retirement Meeting Tutorials
Retirement Seminars and Webinars
The 2023 Pre-Retirement seminars and webinars have concluded. Please check back in summer 2024 for updates.
To view a recording of the 2023 webinar please click here.