Ohio Department of Education and Workforce (DEW) School Foundation Program

Foundation-participating districts pay employer charges through the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce (DEW) School Foundation Program. Deductions are calculated annually and begin with submission of a Salary Estimate that:

• Includes all SERS contributions that will be reported in the upcoming fiscal year
• Is entered through eSERS during a designated time period
• May be corrected or updated unlimited times during the submission window

If no estimate is provided, SERS calculates one by increasing the prior year’s estimate by 3% and applying the current employer contribution rate of 14%.

Adjustments to Foundation deductions may be made during the year based on changes to employer circumstances. They may be initiated by either the employer or SERS. If a community school fails to remit employee contribution payments, those amounts may be added to their deductions.

Once deductions are finalized, Foundation Deduction Letters are uploaded to eSERS. These letters list each item collected through the Foundation Program.

Districts have an opportunity to make adjustments before SERS certifies the new annual amounts to DEW.

If Foundation Program funds are insufficient to satisfy SERS’ Foundation Program deduction, the employer must remit the difference directly to SERS. Employers are notified of shortages during the Annual Statement Balance period.