OPERS History

Learn about the beginnings of OPERS with this timeline.

A group of men in suits observe as a seated man signs a document at a desk in an office setting.

1933

Governor George White signed the bill authorizing establishment of the Public Employees Retirement System, effective Jan. 1, 1935.

Black-and-white photo of the Wyandotte Building in Columbus, Ohio, circa early 1900s, with horse-drawn carriages and pedestrians on the street.

1933

Wyandot Building, home of PERS until 1937.

A four-story historic building with large arched entryway and classical architectural details stands on a city street, with pedestrians and parked cars in front.

1935

OPERS is established as the State Employees Retirement System to provide retirement benefits to Ohio public employees

1938

OPERS sends out its first pension check to Mary Morrison for $106.07

Two people sit across from each other at a desk in an office labeled "Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio.

1938

OPERS’ name changes to the Public Employees Retirement System as it expands to include counties, municipalities, health departments and parks

A black-and-white aerial view of downtown Columbus, Ohio, with large text reading “The State Employee of Ohio,” dated August 1945.

1950

Membership increases 20 percent following World War II

Nine people in suits sit and stand around a table in a meeting room, with documents in front of them and a coat rack in the background.

1950

Survivor benefits and disability benefits are added

Four men in suits pose in an office setting; three stand behind a desk while one is seated. The desk is cluttered with papers, books, and office supplies.

1966

Assets exceed $1 billion for the first time

A group of people in formal attire and hard hats hold shovels at a groundbreaking ceremony, standing under umbrellas on a wet day.

1970

OPERS moves to a new, three-story building on Town Street

1970

The first cost-of-living adjustment is issued to members

1974

OPERS begins offering health care coverage to retirees

1975

OPERS adds a law enforcement division

1994

OPERS introduces a toll-free help number for benefit recipients

Screenshot of the Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio website homepage, displaying navigation buttons and a black-and-white building photo.

1997

OPERS launches its website, OPERS.org

2003

OPERS begins offering a defined contribution plan as well as a hybrid plan

2003

OPERS’ name changes to the Ohio Public Employees Retirement System

A modern multi-story office building with glass windows and beige exterior, two flagpoles in front, and a tree on the right side.

2003

OPERS opens its new office tower at 277 E. Town St.

2009

The OPERS Board of Trustees adopts plan design changes to strengthen the fund and to continue to provide access to health care coverage

2010

OPERS celebrates its 75th anniversary

2012

The Ohio General Assembly passes pension redesign legislation that substantially adjusts retirement benefits for OPERS members

2013

The new plan design becomes effective on Jan. 7

2013

New health care rules are put into place, including the establishment of an exchange-based approach to health care for Medicare-age members

2016

The OPERS Medicare Connector administered by OneExchange begins operations

2018

OneExchange, administer of the OPERS Medicare Connector that provides health care for most OPERS retirees over 65, changes its name to Via Benefits.

Looking Forward

OPERS continues to provide retirement security to its more than 1 million members.

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