Ohio’s biggest public pension fund looking at benefit cuts

Ohio Public Employee Retirement System, the largest of Ohio’s five public pension funds, is studying whether to cut cost of living allowances for retirees. Two other funds that cover school workers and teachers are cutting COLAs.

Ohio Public Employee Retirement System, the largest of Ohio’s five public pension funds, is studying whether to cut cost of living allowances for retirees. Two other funds that cover school workers and teachers are cutting COLAs.
COLUMBUS BUREAU
By Laura A. Bischoff
Aug 21, 2017
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The Ohio Public Employees Retirement System is studying whether to cut the cost of living allowance for its 1-million retirees and members.

OPERS Director Karen Carraher said in a letter to lawmakers that while the system is in a strong financial position now, trustees are exploring options to maintain that fiscal health. “It is important to stress we are in the early stages of considerations with the board and are soliciting feedback from the beginning,” she wrote.

Related: STRS cuts cost of living benefit for retired teachers

OPERS, which has granted a COLA since 1970, gives a 3 percent bump to people who retired before January 2013. For workers who retired after that, the adjustment will be tied to the consumer price index with a 3 percent cap, starting in 2019.

Any changes to OPERS cost of living allowance will require lawmaker approval. Changes in pension COLAs is a big lever to straighten out a system’s finances. Likewise, retirees rely on COLAs over the long haul to preserve their buying power and keep pace with inflation.

Other public pension systems have already taken steps to cut benefits.

Related: School employees protest pension benefit cuts

In April, the State Teachers Retirement System of Ohio voted 10-1 to indefinitely suspend the cost of living allowance given to retired teachers and future retirees. The fix, though, may not be enough to shore up the $72-billion fund and more cuts may be needed later, pension officials warned.

STRS covers 490,000 teachers and retirees in Ohio.

Related: Retiree health care cuts looming for cops and firefighters

School Employees Retirement System, which covers 292,000 janitors, bus drivers, cafeteria workers and retirees, got authority in the state budget bill to reduce its COLA. Currently, retirees get a fixed 3 percent annual COLA. SERS will link the rate to inflation with a 2.5 percent cap and pension trustees have the authority to suspend the payment if actuaries determine it’s necessary.

Related: Health care costs squeeze Ohio’s public pension systems

The Ohio Police & Fire Pension Fund trustees are meeting Tuesday to continue debate over how to restructure its health care benefits for retired cops and firefighters. OP&F spokesman Dave Graham said the fund is in the process of hiring a consultant to advise OP&F on the issue. Starting in 2019, retired cops and firefighters will no longer receive health care benefits through the Ohio Police & Firefighters Pension Fund but instead will receive a stipend to buy coverage on the open market.

OP&F trustees are not expected to make any decisions on details this week, Graham said.

OP&F has $14.8 billion invested for the benefit of 58,000 police, firefighters, retirees and beneficiaries.

Watching your money

Public pension systems in Ohio cover about 1.75 million people, so any changes in benefits affect a lot of you. For that reason, we’ve watched closely over the health of the system, and what any cutbacks will mean to you.

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Laura Bischoff is our Columbus bureau reporter and covers politics and state government. She keeps a close eye on elected leaders, public employees and taxpayer money. Bischoff tries to write stories that inform voters, hold leaders accountable and strengthen democracy.