Graduate Assistant Retirement System Information
This information is intended to help you in understand your retirement plan options at Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ State University.
It is important that you review these choices carefully as your selection may have long-term impact on your financial future.
Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ State University does not participate in the federal social security system; retirement benefits come from the state of Ohio retirement systems.
As a graduate assistant, Ohio law provides you with two choices regarding retirement:
- You may contribute to an Ohio retirement account or
- you may request exemption from retirement withholding.
OPERS contribution rates are 10% of your salary from you and 14% of your salary from the university goes to your account.
For specific information, please review available on the OPERS website.
As a Graduate Assistant, you have the option to participate or opt out of OPERS
- You will receive a customized link from OPERS.org within 30 days of your start date.
- International students only: you may need to enter the last four digits of your Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ ID when asked for your SSN.
- Use the link to record your selection.
- If this process is not completed within the allotted timeframe (as stated in your email from OPERS) you will automatically be enrolled in OPERS for the duration of your employment.
- Your retirement selection may not be changed during your continuous employment as a graduate assistant at Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ State University.
If you have any questions related to this process, please contact academic_personnel@kent.edu or (330) 672-8717 or payroll@kent.edu or 330-672-8640.
You should keep a copy of your personnel records and forms and check your pay stub to make sure it is correct. Please contact academic_personnel@kent.edu or 330-672-8717, if there is an error with your paycheck.