School Employee Retirees of Ohio, Inc (SERO) was founded in June of 1978 in Worthington, Ohio as a non-profit retiree advocacy and education organization. SERO works solely for School Employee Retirees. SERO maintains a vigilant presence at the state and federal legislatures as well as the retirement system, SERS. SERO provides its members with information and links to other retiree service organizations. Any non-certified (non-teaching) School Employee who is retired from Ohio public schools, technical schools, joint vocational schools or schools of higher education covered by the School Employees Retirement System, SERS, may become an active member of SERO. Our membership is comprised of food service workers, administrative support staff, groundskeepers, transportation workers, environmental services, and much more. Associate membership is also available for current workers and for those individuals that support the goals of our organization. All members are eligible to participate in our group supplemental benefits products and services as a core benefit of their membership.
Accomplishments
Effective Date
1978 SERO is founded and begins operating in Worthington, Ohio.
1979 COLA increased from 2-3% with reduction in waiting period Catch up increases (5%) for those retired prior to July 1974.
1981 Catch up increases (6%) for those retired prior to Jan 1977 and (4%) for those retired from 1977 to 1979.
1983 Retiree Representative added to SERS Board effective July 1984
1984 Catch up increase (5%) for those retired prior to Feb 1983
1988 Catch up increase (2%) for those retired prior to Feb 1983 and (5%) for those retired after Feb 1983
1991 Increase the number of days a retiree can work (now unlimited)
1993 Toll-Free number for Aetna claims established
1994 SERO endorses United Teacher Associates (UTA) to provide group Long Term Home Health Care Plan for members. Additional quality insurance products will be available for members at group rates.
1997 Death Benefit at SERS increases from $500 to $1,000.
1998 Increase in retirement formula from 2.1% to 2.5% for future retirees with service credit over 30 yrs. Increase in Medicare Part B reimbursement from $24.80 to $31.80. One-time lump sum payment ($7/per month) given to eligible recipients retroactive to 1/1992. (H.B. 673)
2000 SERO approves an Executive Director for the organization and Valerie Rodgers is named for that position.
2001 Increase in Medicare Part B reimbursement from $31.80 to $45.50 per month. One-time lump sum payments made to eligible recipients retroactive to 1993. Improved Survivor benefits (S.B. 270). Cost of living (COLA) increases are now a 3% “fixed” rate instead of using CPI figures (H.B. 655).
2004 SERO Board member appointed to SERS Executive Board by Governor Taft.
2005 SERO Dues Deduction Program begins. SERO announces a new website (ohio-sero.com) SERO announces largest agenda of supplemental benefits and discounted programs for members by AMBA.
2006 Call to action on Offset and Windfall provisions. SERO facilitates Chapter Leadership Workshop.
2007 SERO representatives successfully testify in opposition to legislation (H.B. 151) that would negatively affect SERS retirees. SERO supports SERS pension funding solvency legislation (S.B. 148).
2008 SERO expands office hours to provide additional advocacy/ support for members. Office now open M thru F from 9-4.
2009 SERO representatives attend SERS Health Care/Pension Task Force meetings to provide education to members and chapters. Pension funding issues begin to surface with market decline.
2010 SERO announces Lifetime Membership option for retirees and employees ages 55 and up.
2011 SERO begins petition drive to have a fitness program (Silver Sneakers) for SERS health care participants. New benefits added for SERO members through AMBA.
2012 SERO approves new office computer systems and programming upgrade. New systems and programs allow us to strengthen our current programs and develop innovative projects to serve our members. SERO supports pension funding solvency legislation (S.B. 341) signed into law.
2013 SERO Chapter leaders and member’s efforts to change travel plans/policies of SERS Board members are successful.
2014 SERS announces “Silver Sneakers” fitness plan effect for most all SERS health care participants.
2015 SERO announces active School Employees members may now join SERO as “Associate” members.
2023 The 118th Congress and the US Senate introduce H.R. 82 and S.597 Social Secirity Fairness Act of 2023. These bills repeal provisions that reduce social security benefits for individuals who receive other benefits, such as a pension fom a state or local government, including the government pension offset and the windfall elimination provision.
2024 SERO Executive Director Valerie Rodgers retires after 32 years of sevice.
