Why I Created the Annuity Decision Process™ for STRS, SERS, and OPERS Members

Most public employees don't wake up wondering whether they need an annuity. They want answers to questions like: 

• Will my pension be enough?

  
  

• Should I take a PLOP?

  
  

• How do survivor benefits affect my decision?

  
  

• How do possible Social Security benefits fit in?

  
  

• Can additional guaranteed income improve my retirement plan?

  
  

Over the years, I noticed that many STRS, SERS, and OPERS members were being asked to evaluate annuities before first evaluating how their pension benefits fit into their overall retirement strategy. 

That's why I developed the Annuity Decision Process™. 

Start with the Pension

Your pension is the foundation of your retirement income. Before considering any personal annuity, it's important to understand: 

• Your pension option choices

  
  

• Survivor benefit elections

  
  

• PLOP decisions

  
  

• Expected retirement income

  
  

• Other income sources

  
  

Only after those pieces are understood can someone objectively determine whether an annuity adds value. 

The Goal Isn't to Buy an Annuity

The purpose of the process is not to justify a product. 

The purpose is to answer a simple question: 

Does a personal annuity improve your retirement paycheck and strengthen your retirement plan? 

Sometimes the answer is yes. 

Sometimes the answer is no. 

The process helps identify the difference. 

Why This Matters for Ohio Public Employees

STRS, SERS, and OPERS members have retirement benefits that are very different from those of most private-sector workers. That means retirement income decisions should be evaluated differently as well. 

A pension already provides guaranteed income. The question becomes whether additional guaranteed income provides meaningful benefits based on your goals, lifestyle, and retirement timeline. 

A Better Way to Evaluate Retirement Income

The Annuity Decision Process™ helps Ohio public employees evaluate pensions, PLOP options, survivor benefits, retirement goals, and personal annuities within a single framework. 

The result is a more informed decision and greater confidence about retirement income.