Automatic Enrollment

An important benefit for newly hired full-time employees of the State of Ohio is the opportunity to save for retirement with Ohio Deferred Compensation (Ohio DC). Through the automatic enrollment feature, all new, full-time employees hired by the State of Ohio will be enrolled in Ohio DC.     

Automatic enrollment helps participants save for a secure retirement and with annual increases it can be a powerful way to increase retirement plan savings.    

Once your agency has implemented automatic enrollment, your newly hired employees do not have to do anything to begin saving.    

About Ohio DC     

Ohio DC is an employer-sponsored supplemental 457(b) retirement plan offered exclusively to all Ohio public employees. Retirement savings have been Ohio DC’s only responsibility since 1976. Our mission is to “Guide participants along the path to retirement income security.”     

Automatic Enrollment Notice     

Once hired your employees will be automatically enrolled in the Ohio DC plan, unless within 90-days of receiving an automatic enrollment letter they:     

• Actively enroll by visiting Ohio457.org   
• Decline automatic enrollment     

Newly hired employees will be mailed an automatic enrollment letter with detailed information including the pay date of their first contribution and the deadline to decline automatic enrollment.     

After new hires are automatically enrolled, they can change their contribution amount, automatic increase amount, investment options, and designate their beneficiaries, at any time.   

Investing Contributions    

Your employee’s contributions will be invested in a LifePath Portfolio* closest to the year they turn age 65.    

Initial Contribution and Automatic Increase     

New hires will be enrolled with a pre-tax contribution amount of $25 (biweekly) or $50 (monthly) per paycheck. Annually in July, their contribution amount will automatically increase by $30 (biweekly) or $60 (monthly) per paycheck, as part of the SMarT Plan (Save More Tomorrow).     

Customizing Enrollment     

By visiting Ohio457.org and clicking on “Enroll” new hires can:  

• Start contributing sooner   
• Choose a different contribution amount or investment option(s)   
• Change a different SMarT amount or month   
• Enroll in the Roth 457 Option     

Financial Wellness Program     

As an Ohio DC participant, they will have access to the Enrich financial wellness program that will provide access to a wide array of personalized tools designed to boost their financial wellness.     

Declining Automatic Enrollment     

New hires may decline automatic enrollment by emailing Ohio DC at Ohio457@Nationwide.com prior to their account being established. New hires who choose to decline automatic enrollment should include their full name and home address in the body of the email.