Bob Buerkle's rebuttal to STRS "The Real Story, Part 2 -- Pension and Benefits" (or Apples and Oranges)

Below you will see STRS' version of "the real story". If you want the true story, read Bob Buerkle's comments, which appear below in boldface. Anything not in boldface comes from your illustrious pension system. Could they be trying to sway the election? You be the judge. 

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From Bob Buerkle

April 12, 2023

STRS is trying to interfere with the election by writing this e-update. It does not present all of the facts and it compares Apples to Oranges. Read my response to their email below, which is in bold print.

Bob Buerkle

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From STRS

April 12, 2023

The Real Story (Part 2) — Pension and Benefits

There's been a lot shared about STRS Ohio lately on social media, the Internet and email. Sadly, much of this information has been incomplete at best and incorrect at worst.

In this edition of "The Real Story" we'll share more undeniable facts about your STRS Ohio pension and benefits:

FACT 1:

The average new STRS Ohio retiree receives an annual pension benefit of about $46,000.* HOWEVER, THE AVERAGE STRS TEACHER RETIRES WITH JUST OVER 30 YEARS OF SERVICE, NOT 24.8 YEARS LIKE SERS AND NOT 23.5 YEARS OF SERVICE LIKE THE AVERAGE OPERS RETIREE. ALSO PAYS 14% IN CONTRIBUTIONS AND MAKES A FAS OF OVER $75,000.

The average new OPERS retiree receives an annual pension benefit of about $31,000.** PAYS 10% IN CONTRIBUTIONS AND MAKES A FAS OF ONLY $46,575.

The average new SERS retiree receives an annual pension benefit of about $18,000.* PAYS 10% IN CONTRIBUTIONS AND MAKES A FAS OF ONLY $38,250.

FACT 2:

STRS Ohio Defined Benefit Plan participants receive 77% of the average of their five highest salary years with 35 years of service credit. Both OPERS and SERS Ohio Defined Benefit Plan participants receive 78.5% of their FAS with 35 years of service credit.

FACT 3:

Health care coverage (medical, dental and vision) is available to qualifying STRS Ohio benefit recipients and their families. This coverage is popular, with 108,847 enrollees in the STRS Ohio Health Care Program.*** PLEASE GIVE ME THE OPERS HEALTH CARE BENEFIT. I'D TAKE IT IN A HOT MINUTE.

*Defined benefit plan participants in fiscal year 2022.

**Defined benefit plan participants in 2021.

***The number of enrollees as of April 2023. Access to health care coverage is available under the STRS Ohio Defined Benefit Plan and Combined Plan. Health care coverage is not guaranteed.