OHIO PUBLIC EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT SYSTEM

Police officers who retire under the Police & Fire Disability Pension Fund are generally eligible for all forms of workers' compensation in addition to their Police and Fire benefits. Likewise, non-police City of Columbus employees who retire under the Public Employees Retirement System ('OPERS' or 'PERS') are still eligible for workers' compensation benefits. There is no offset of OPERS or PERS or STRS if you receive Ohio Workers' Compensation benefits. The same applies to Ohio state troopers and deputy sheriffs.


SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY

Individuals who receive Social Security Disability benefits are entitled to also receive workers' compensation benefits. However, the Social Security Administration does calculate an offset of benefits when the claimant is receiving workers' compensation temporary total disability, Permanent Partial Disability, or Permanent Total Disability.


Social Security Disability & Workers' Compensation

The relationship between Social Security and workers' compensation depends on the type of benefits received. First, this page discusses the relationship between Social Security Disability and permanent total disability, then it discusses the relationship between Social Security Disability and other workers' compensation benefits.


Social Security Disability and Permanent Total Disability

If you are receiving Social Security Disability and are also receiving permanent total disability compensation under the Ohio workers' compensation system, the amount of permanent total will be reduced by 1/3.

When you reach retirement age, Social Security will automatically switch you over to Social Security retirement. At that time, your workers' compensation permanent total benefits should return to the full amount.

For some people, it may make sense to switch over to Social Security retirement early.


Social Security Disability and Other Workers' Compensation Benefits

If you are receiving other forms of workers' compensation [such as temporary total, for example], you need to report those amounts to social security. Social Security considers the amount of workers' compensation you are receving in determining the amount to pay. Workers' compensation benefits reduce the amount of social security disability being paid.

If you are receiving ongoing temporary total, and it is cut off, you should report the loss of Ohio BWC compensation benefits to Social Security. A reduction in your Ohio BWC compensation will result in an increase to your monthly Social Security Disability payments.