Graduate Assistant Retirement System Information

This information is intended to help you in understand your retirement plan options at Kent State University. 

It is important that you review these choices carefully as your selection may have long-term impact on your financial future.

Kent 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 The Basics: Membership in OPERS for College Students 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 Kent 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 Kent 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.