State & Government Employees
Since 2012, I have been selected as the only external financial advisor to offer educational retirement planning services at the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction (ODRC) Pre-Retirement Seminars, including the Parole Board.
Over this time, I have become well versed in Ohio Public Employee Retirement System (OPERS). Clients appreciate that I offer to accompany them to their OPERS office meeting so I may help interpret the different ‘languages’ of HR, including pension and investment options for public employees. I have extensive experience with the Florida Retirement System (FRS) and the Ohio State Teacher and Employee Retirement Systems (STRS/SERS) with a specific focus on Ohio Police and Fire (OP&F). I found the service of this market particularly rewarding since it is underserved.
If any of the above applies to YOU, we send a heartfelt ‘Thank You’ for your service to our community. We would consider it an honor to give back and serve you and your family in answering any questions you may have.
Should I PLOP or DROP?
Most OPERS (Ohio Public Retirement System), STRS (State Teachers Retirement System), and SERS (School Employees Retirement System) can cash out a portion of their pension as a Partial Lump sum Option Payment.
This WILL decrease your annuity payout with your pension.
Some factors we consider:
- What income do you need to maintain standard of living?
- Do you have savings outside of your pension plan (457 (deferred comp), IRA’s, Annuities, etc.)?
- Household income and budget
- Household retirement accounts
- Beneficiary needs
- Age
- Investment experience
- Debt
If a financial professional or coworker says you should ALWAYS PLOP, we believe that to be inaccurate.
If a financial professional or coworker says you should NEVER PLOP, we believe that to be inaccurate.
We take the time to establish your needs to develop the plan that makes sense for you and your family.
DROP (Deferred Retirement Option Plan) is a completely different option for OP&F (Ohio Police & Fire) employees.
Please refer to the OP&F Pension fund website for detailed information before you speak with us. We can give direction and offer clarity to your decision process but, this is too much to cover on this site.
*Representatives of Stark Financial Group are not employees of, nor do they represent the Florida Retirement System (FRS), the Ohio Public Employee Retirement System (OPERS), the Ohio State Teacher Retirement System of Ohio (STRS), the School Employees Retirement System of Ohio (SERS) or any other department or division of the states of Florida or Ohio.
