OPERS Membership for Elected Officials

Membership for elected officials, or those individuals appointed to an elective office, is optional if they:

  • Do not have a prior election for membership as an elected official, or
  • Are not receiving a retirement benefit from one of the Ohio retirement systems.

Elected officials who fit the criteria above and who wish to become members of OPERS are required to complete an application for membership. If these individuals do not wish to become members of OPERS, no action is required.

To apply for OPERS membership, elected officials must complete a paper Personal History Record/Elected Official Membership Form (Form A). By completing and signing the paper form, it indicates the elected official's irrevocable membership into OPERS.

To obtain a copy of the current version of the Form A, contact Employer Services. Only the current form (revision date April 2017) can be accepted and the form must be completed in its entirety. The elected official signature date must be signed in the same month as the salary begin date and signed by an authorized signer to submit contributions the month in which they begin their term. Membership will begin based on signature date by the member.

Employers can mail or fax the completed form to OPERS. Do not submit the Form A for elected officials through ECS. The paper version of the Form A also serves as the elected official's application for membership.

Things to keep in mind:

  • Elected officials with a prior election for membership, or those who are receiving a retirement benefit from any of the Ohio retirement systems are required to contribute to OPERS.
  • For any elected official who is an OPERS benefit recipient, be sure to submit a Notice of Re-employment of Retired Elected Official or Appointed Official to an Elected Position  form (SR- 6E) or Notice of Re-employment or Contract Services of an OPERS or Other System Benefit Recipient (SR-6).

Additional details can be found in the April 2017 Employer Notice.

Employer Advisory Council

Throughout the last few years, our Employer Advisory Council has worked on several important initiatives. The council played a vital role in helping us develop new educational opportunities for employers and members. The council also shared feedback and ideas through surveys and focus groups.

Thank you to our 2018-2019 Employer Advisory Council members for another successful year.

We'd like to welcome the 2020-2021 members of the Employer Advisory Council:

  • Butler County
  • Clermont County
  • Central Ohio Transit Authority
  • Franklin County
  • The Ohio State University
  • Tri-C
  • Delaware County
  • SWACO
  • Hamilton County
  • Van Wert County
  • City of University Heights
  • Department of Administrative Services
  • Metro Health
  • Village of South Zanesville
  • City of Lima
  • Columbus Public Library
  • Muskingum Public Library
  • Memorial Health
  • City of Pickerington
  • Blendon Township

Census Data Validation

The Employer Census Data Validation program was developed in conjunction with OPERS external auditors with the goal of ensuring that pension information between OPERS and employers is accurate.

In 2015, the Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) issued financial reporting guidance over pension accounting that created the need for additional validation of data received from employers. The data provided feeds into the actuarial valuation, a key element in determining the unfunded pension and health care (or OPEB) liabilities.

The Employer Census Data Validation program is beneficial as it may eliminate the need for OPERS external auditors or the Auditor of State's office to perform an on-site audit of your organization. Data validation also helps employers identify non-compliance with earnable salary, membership eligibility and re-employment for OPERS retirees.

Employers selected for the 2020 validations were notified in December 2019.

Annual Conversion Plans Due March 31

Annual Conversion Plans are due March 31. All plans must be approved before any conversion payments are made if the payment is to be reported as earnable salary. Plans can be submitted for review by mail, fax 614-857-1138 or by email at employeroutreach@opers.org, but cannot be retroactively approved.

Conversion payments must be submitted on a supplemental report and must be accompanied by the OPERS Conversion Payments document (CONVDOC). For more information or to obtain a copy of the CONVDOC template, please review the Dec. 27, 2010 Employer Notice.

2020 Health Care Correspondence

Our Health Care team will be sending correspondence to employers and retirees per the schedule below. Please be aware of the due dates.

  • May 18 correspondence – Letters will be sent to employers requesting a Notice of Re-employment or Contract Services of an OPERS or Other System Benefit Recipient Form (SR-6) for the employees listed on the letter. In addition, we'll ask employers to submit the Health Care Change Form (HLCCHGFREQE), if there's been a change to coverage availability or to determine whether the affected employees are covered under a High Deductible Health Care Plan (HDHP) that includes an HSA. Responses will be due June 24.
  • June 30 correspondence – Letters will be sent to retirees requesting proof of creditable coverage to be returned by July 31.

Educational Opportunities

Employers can request an in-person site visit with an OPERS compliance specialist at any time. The specialist can cover ECS and OPERS related topics such as how to submit reports, payments, and large earnings; earnable salary; membership determinations; and other compliance related topics. Contact Employer Outreach to schedule a site visit.

We also offer interactive webinars and online recorded presentations that cover topics such as:

  • Contribution Reporting
  • Earnable Salary
  • ECS Demonstration
  • Non-Contributing List
  • Pick-Up Plans
  • OPERS Membership
  • Annual Conversion Plans

You can register for an employer webinar online or view a recorded presentation at your convenience.

Additional Notes & Reminders

  • We'll be sending out more email notifications to inform you of documents or information pending in ECS. Because of this, it's important to make sure that all ECS users' information is updated, especially email addresses. If an ECS user is no longer with your organization, please deactivate their ECS profile. If you need help with this, please contact Employer Outreach.
  • Make sure you're using the most up-to-date forms. Forms can be found on the Forms & Documents page of opers.org.
  • When submitting any employer form please make sure the document is signed by an authorized signer, or we cannot accept the form.

If you have any questions, please contact OPERS Employer Outreach at 888-400-0965 or email us at employeroutreach@opers.org. Thank you for your continued partnership with OPERS.

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It is your responsibility to be certain that OPERS has your current physical and e-mail address on file. If OPERS is not made aware of address changes, we cannot guarantee that you will receive important information pertaining to your OPERS account. This publication is written in plain language for use by public employers who are subject to coverage under the Ohio Public Employees Retirement System. It is not intended as a substitute for the federal or state law, namely the Ohio Revised Code, the Ohio Administrative Code, or the Internal Revenue Code, nor will its interpretation prevail should a conflict arise between it and the Ohio Revised Code, Ohio Administrative Code, or Internal Revenue Code. Rules governing the retirement system are subject to change periodically either by statute of the Ohio General Assembly, regulation of the Ohio Public Employees Retirement Board, or regulation of the Internal Revenue Code. If you have questions about this material, please contact our office or seek legal advice from your attorney. OPERS is not required to provide health care coverage to retirees or their dependents and will only do so at the discretion of the Board of Trustees.