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Retirement FAQs

  • Pension Plan Retirement and DROP Retirement

    • If you enrolled in FRS before July 2011, normal full retirement age is 62 with at least 6 years of creditable service or 30 years of creditable service, regardless of age.
    • If you enrolled in FRS July 2011 or after, normal full retirement age is 65 with at least 8 years of creditable service or 33 years of creditable service, regardless of age.

    If a member retires early, he or she will receive a 5% reduction for every year under their full retirement age. This penalty is permanent.

    Investment Plan Retirement

    • If you initially enrolled in FRS before July 2011, OCPS will allow you to retire in the Investment Plan at 59 1/2 with at least 6 years of creditable service or 30 years regardless of age.
    • If you initially enrolled in FRS July 2011 or after, OCPS will allow you to retire in the Investment Plan at 59 1/2 with at least 8 years of creditable service or 33 years regardless of age.  
    • Once you take a distribution (cash or a rollover) you are then considered a retiree with FRS regardless of your age.

    • The FRS Pension Plan is a defined benefit plan which provides a guaranteed monthly pension check based on the option selected.
    • The FRS Investment Plan, also known as the lump sum, is a defined contribution plan. You manage the investment of your retirement account.  You assume the risk of loss and also the potential for gain on the money in your retirement account, based on your investment choices.

    • One to three months prior to your anticipated retirement/ DROP begin date please call our office 407 317-3227 to schedule your group appointment.

  • Please contact our office 1-3 months prior to your last day with OCPS or DROP entry month to schedule a group appointment. The following will be required:

    · A copy of your birth certificate/naturalization papers, valid passport, driver’s license with a gold star in the upper right,  if married your spouse’s birth certificate or naturalization papers and married license is also required.

    · Your Driver’s License or State issued ID

    · Beneficiary (s) information (names, address, SSN, phone number and  date of birth).

    Please plan 2 hours. We welcome and encourage you to bring a family member/friend to assist with the information obtained. This is not an informational meeting. If you are unable to make your group appointment, please call our office to re-schedule.

    • The monthly benefit is based on years of creditable service, average final compensation and age at retirement.

    • Sick leave is paid out based on number of hours X hourly rate of pay X percentage based on your consecutive years with OCPS

        0.00  to 3 years           35%

        3.01 to 6 years            40%

        6.01 to 9 years            45%

        9.01 to 12 years          50%

        12.01 and over            100%

      • 07/01/2008:  If the person has worked at least five consecutive years prior to retirement, previous time at the district may be counted as cumulative. 
    • When you retire, accumulated sick leave is paid out through Bencor which is a special pay plan so that Payroll taxes (FICA & Medicare) are eliminated for you and the district.
    • Sick Leave and DROP/ILR Participation:  A percentage of sick leave balance is sent to Bencor in a tax deferred manner each anniversary of your participation in DROP. 
    • The percentage of hours paid each year is as follows:

    Year 1   20% of balance of hours
    Year 2   25% of balance of hours
    Year 3   33% of balance of hours
    Year 4   50% of balance of hours
              Exit year - 100% of remaining balance of hours
    For example, you exit DROP year 7, there are no deposits for year 5 or 6.  100% is paid upon exit in year 7.

    • If you retire without going into DROP, then all of your sick leave is paid out through Bencor as noted above 4 - 6 weeks after your last OCPS paycheck.
    • Administrative Sick Leave balances are paid out based upon the hourly rate at which the hours were earned.  The frozen administrative balance is paid out at the hourly rate of pay at retirement.
    • Annual Leave/Vacation Pay (12 month employees only)

    Annual leave is paid out upon termination or retirement as follows:

    Classified:            240 hours max (30 days x 8 hours per day)

    Guidance:             225 hours max (30 days x 7.5 hours)

    Administrators:    480 hours max (60 days x 8 hours)

    • If annual leave was paid out prior to DROP entry, those hours would decrease the maximum hours to be paid at DROP exit.

  • You will receive your first retirement check from FRS four to six weeks from your effective retirement date.  Your retirement is always effective the first of the month following your separation from OCPS.

    • Effective July 1, 2023 - The FRS gives each retiree $7.50 for every year of creditable service at retirement with a maximum of $225.  Investment Plan retiree’s must be the definition of normal retirement by FRS and take a distribution in order to eligible for the subsidy
    •  It does not have to be OCPS insurance to qualify.  Some examples of insurance is medical, dental or vision.  Proof of insurance at retirement is required. 

    • This is an OCPS recognized intent letter to retire within 60 months. An employee can begin participation upon obtaining normal retirement in either the Pension or Investment. Plan participation cannot exceed a maximum of 60 months.

      A percentage of the employee’s unused sick leave is paid out at the end of each anniversary year they are in the ILR Plan. Participation in the IRL Plan is voluntary and does not guarantee employment for 5 years.

    • The employee continues to earn service and salary credit with FRS while participating in the ILR.

    • Regular Class - Paying the 3% Contribution to FRS

      HA-Regular Class Pension Plan

      PA-Regular Class Investment Plan

      HM-Senior Management Pension Plan

      PM-Senior Management Investment Plan

      HI-Dist. Elected Official Pension Plan

      PI-Dist. Elected Official Investment Plan

    • Renewed Membership Plan-Working on a 2nd retirement - Paying 3% Contribution to FRS

    RA-Renewed Membership Pension Plan

    QA-Renewed Membership Investment Plan

    RM-Renewed Membership Pension Plan Senior Management

    QM-Renewed Membership Investment Plan Senior Management

    •  Not Paying 3% Contribution to FRS

    DP-DROP participant

    •  Retiree initially employed on or after July 1, 2010, not       working on another retirement-(No 3%)

    UA-Regular Class

    UM-Senior Management

    UI-District Elected Official

    • Information is available by attending an FRS Retirement Plan Choice Workshop,
    • Calling the MY FRS Financial Guidance line at 866-446-9377 Monday – Friday 9am – 8pm (except holidays) to speak to an unbiased financial planner regarding the two plans
    • Go to the MyFRS website.
    • Each employee has a one - time 2nd election to switch plans. You must be actively employed and earning service credit at the time of the plan change.

    • DROP is a Deferred Retirement Option Program which is offered to employees who have reached normal retirement requirements. This program allows employees to continue working up to 8 years (96 months) while the monthly retirement benefit accumulates in an interest bearing account at FRS. You are enrolled in DROP for the maximum participation but you can leave any time prior to your 8 year end date. Once you enter DROP, no additional years of service or salary increases will be used in the calculation of your benefit. Additionally, the 3% retirement contribution is no longer required.

    • Normal retirement eligibility must be met in order to enroll in DROP.  If an employee was enrolled in the FRS prior to July 2011, normal retirement eligibility is 30 years of creditable service regardless of age or age 62 with at least 6 years of creditable service, whichever comes first.
    • If enrolled in the FRS July 2011 or after, the eligibility is 33 years of creditable service or age 65 with at least 8 years of creditable service. 

    • FRS will mail DROP exit paperwork approximately 3 months prior to your normal DROP exit date. You will be contacted by the Retirement Services office to schedule a DROP exit meeting. These meetings are held in a group setting at the RBELC.
    • If you decide to exit DROP early, you should notify The Office of Retirement Services office 1-3 months prior to your last day with OCPS. Retirement Services will notify FRS and schedule your group DROP Exit meeting.

  • Extension of the Deferred Retirement Option Program (DROP)

    K-12 Teachers

    Effective July 17, 2018, the Superintendent, pursuant to S.121.091(13)(b)(1)(a),  Fl. Stat., hereby has authorized the extension of the Deferred Retirement Option Program (DROP).

     Approval of extending the DROP program does not guarantee a position will be available at the school/work location that one is currently assigned.  Notification of your intent to extend DROP shall be provided three months prior to your eight year DROP end date.

     If interested or for additional information, please call Retirement Services at (407) 317-3227 or email at retirement.services@ocps.net.