Who qualifies
- Retired Jan. 1, 2004-July 1, 2023: at least 15 years of service for coverage and a subsidy. Retired before Jan. 1, 2004: coverage with any service, a subsidy with 15 or more years. 2026 Monthly Premiums, footnote 2; HC AV 2025, p. 38
- Retiring on or after Aug. 1, 2023: at least 20 years of service for coverage and a subsidy. 2026 Monthly Premiums, footnote 2; Plan Summary, pp. 22-23; Plans of Payment, pp. 18-21
Retiring Aug. 1, 2023-July 1, 2032: 30 years of service for the maximum subsidy. Retiring on or after Aug. 1, 2032: the years needed for the maximum subsidy will be the same as for an unreduced pension. 2026 Monthly Premiums, footnote 3 Because the subsidy steps up with service, one more year can lower your premium as well as raise your pension. See also retiring early: retiring with fewer than 20 years means no STRS Ohio coverage.
STRS Ohio pays a share of retiree health premiums based on years of service. For people retiring from August 2032, the full share needs the same years as an unreduced pension. That's 32 through May 2035; we don't have the steps after that.
The June 30, 2025 health care valuation schedule (full share at 32 years) for retirements Aug. 2032 - May 2035, and nothing after.
2026 Monthly Premiums, footnote 3; HC AV 2025, p. 402026 monthly premiums
2026 monthly premiums for the benefit recipient, by years of service. Medicare premiums are already reduced by the $30 Medicare Part B credit and include a $1 charge for the Medicare Prescription Payment Plan. 2026 Monthly Premiums
Retired before Aug. 1, 2023
| Years of service | Aetna Medicare Plan (Medicare Advantage PPO) | Aetna Basic Plan, Medicare | Aetna Basic Plan, non-Medicare |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30 or more | $37 | $222 | $340 |
| 29 | $41 | $226 | $374 |
| 28 | $45 | $230 | $408 |
| 27 | $49 | $234 | $442 |
| 26 | $54 | $239 | $476 |
| 25 | $58 | $243 | $510 |
| 24 | $62 | $247 | $544 |
| 23 | $66 | $251 | $578 |
| 22 | $71 | $256 | $612 |
| 21 | $75 | $260 | $646 |
| 20 | $79 | $264 | $679 |
| 19 | $83 | $268 | $713 |
| 18 | $88 | $273 | $747 |
| 17 | $92 | $277 | $781 |
| 16 | $96 | $281 | $815 |
| 15 | $100 | $285 | $849 |
| No subsidy | $164 | $349 | $1,359 |
Retiring Aug. 1, 2023 - July 1, 2032
| Years of service | Aetna Medicare Plan (Medicare Advantage PPO) | Aetna Basic Plan, Medicare | Aetna Basic Plan, non-Medicare |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30 or more | $37 | $222 | $340 |
| 29 | $41 | $226 | $374 |
| 28 | $45 | $230 | $408 |
| 27 | $49 | $234 | $442 |
| 26 | $75 | $260 | $646 |
| 25 | $79 | $264 | $679 |
| 24 | $83 | $268 | $713 |
| 23 | $88 | $273 | $747 |
| 22 | $92 | $277 | $781 |
| 21 | $96 | $281 | $815 |
| 20 | $100 | $285 | $849 |
| No subsidy | $164 | $349 | $1,359 |
Spouses and children can be covered, without a subsidy: a spouse pays $194, $379 or $1,359 a month for these three plans. Benefit recipients in the Health Care Assistance Program pay $0. 2026 Monthly Premiums
Medicare
Everyone in an STRS Ohio medical plan must enroll in Medicare at 65 (or earlier if eligible). Part B is required, and Part A if it's premium-free; declining them ends STRS Ohio medical coverage. Plan Summary, pp. 22-23, Medicare enrollment; Preparing for Retirement, pp. 6-7 Ohio teachers don't pay into Social Security for their school work, so check your own Medicare record; see Social Security and STRS Ohio. Premiums come out of your pension; the STRS Ohio calculator shows the benefit before them.
If you're eligible, request enrollment within 31 days of the later of your retirement date or the first of the month after STRS Ohio gets your application. Plans of Payment, pp. 18-21
What the brochures say
- STRS Ohio health care isn't guaranteed. The law doesn't promise or fund it, and STRS Ohio may change or end it at any time.Plan Summary, pp. 22-23
- If you retire on or after Aug. 1, 2023, you need at least 20 years of service for STRS Ohio health care and a premium subsidy. Those who retired Jan. 1, 2004 - July 1, 2023 needed 15 years.2026 Monthly Premiums, footnote 2
- Retiring Aug. 1, 2023 - July 1, 2032, you need 30 years for the largest subsidy. From Aug. 1, 2032, the largest subsidy takes the same years as an unreduced pension.2026 Monthly Premiums, footnote 3
- In 2026 a retiree with 30 or more years pays $340 a month for the Aetna Basic Plan before Medicare and $37 a month for the Aetna Medicare Plan. Without a subsidy the same plans cost $1,359 and $164.2026 Monthly Premiums
- Medicare premiums on STRS Ohio's sheet already include the $30 monthly Medicare Part B credit. You must enroll in Medicare Part B at 65, or STRS Ohio medical coverage ends.2026 Monthly Premiums; Plan Summary, pp. 22-23
- You can cover a spouse or children, but they get no subsidy: a spouse pays $1,359 a month for the non-Medicare Aetna Basic Plan in 2026.2026 Monthly Premiums
Questions
How many years do I need for STRS Ohio retiree health care?
For retirements on or after Aug. 1, 2023, at least 20 years of service.
What does STRS Ohio health care cost in 2026?
With 30 or more years, $340 a month for the Aetna Basic Plan before Medicare, or $37 a month for the Aetna Medicare Plan. Fewer years means a higher premium.
Is retiree health care guaranteed?
No. STRS Ohio may change or end it at any time.
Source: STRS Ohio, Understanding Your STRS Ohio Benefits: Plan Summary, 2026|2027 (form 20-101, Aug. 2026), pp. 4-5, 22-23. Also: STRS Ohio Service Retirement and Plans of Payment (Defined Benefit Plan), 2026|2027 (form 15-126, 6/26), pp. 18-19, 18-21. Also: STRS Ohio 2026 Monthly Premiums (effective Jan. 1, 2026), Form 21-135, 6/25. Also: STRS Ohio Preparing for Retirement (within three years of retirement), 2026|2027 (form 21-101, 6/26), pp. 6-7. Background: STRS Ohio Retiree Health Care Valuation as of June 30, 2025. Last reviewed .