« Student Employment Handbook

OPERS - Public Employees Retirement System, Student Benefits

Ohio Public Employees Retirement System (OPERS)

Students are required as employees of a public university to contribute to the Ohio Public Employees Retirement System (OPERS). As a State of Ohio employee, this contribution replaces a contribution to social security. Students who meet the credit hour enrollment requirement (6 hours undergraduate or 4 hours graduate) may waive contributions to OPERS and receive their full pay.

Students who choose or are required to contribute to OPERS, will make OPERS contributions based on the schedule below. In addition, Medicare tax will be withheld (1.45%) on gross wages for student employees (except international students) who contribute to OPERS due to less than half-time enrollment.

OPERS Contribution - Effective January 1, 2008:

Student Employee Contribution Rate = 10.0%
Employing Department Contribution Rate = 14.0%

Medicare Contribution

Student Employee Contribution Rate = 1.45%
Employing Department Contribution Rate = 1.45%

Refund of OPERS Contributions:

Upon termination of public employment in Ohio, students/alumni may apply for a refund of accumulated OPERS contributions. State law requires a three-month waiting period after ending public employment (i.e. at Kent State University) before students/alumni are eligible to apply for a refund. Eligible individuals should contact the Payroll Office at (330) 672-8640, 236 Schwartz Center, or email payroll@kent.edu, for instructions to request an OPERS refund.

For more OPERS information, visit the OPERS web site.

Worker's Compensation

Student employees are covered under worker's compensation for accidents or injuries that may occur at work.

Student Employee Contribution Rate = None
Employing Department Contribution Rate = .40%

Student Benefits

Student employees do not receive vacation, sick leave, or holiday pay; cannot earn annual longevity step increases, and are not eligible to apply for leave of absence.

Students may not be compensated for hours not worked, such as in the case of jury duty or emergency university closings (i.e. due to snow, etc).