Life & Career Changes

Vested

(5+ years of service)

Leave Your Accumulated Contributions with ERFC

• You'll now be a deferred vested member.
• Your funds will accrue interest until you retire.
• If you return to an ERFC-covered position at FCPS before you retire, you'll resume contributing and earning ERFC credited service years under your current plan.

Refund or Roll Over Your Accumulated Contributions

• You forfeit all employer contributions.
• Your ERFC credited service will be canceled. 
• You'll no longer be eligible for a monthly ERFC benefit when you retire. 
• If you take a refund payable directly to you, ERFC will withhold 20% federal and 4% Virginia state tax (for Virginia residents). See IRS Special Tax Notice.

Not Vested 

(Less than 5 years of service)

Leave Your Accumulated Contributions with ERFC

• After 10 years, your funds stop accruing interest.
• If you return to an ERFC-covered position at FCPS before you retire, you'll resume contributing and earning ERFC credited service years under your current plan.
• After 10 years, consider refunding or rolling over your contributions since they no longer accrue interest.

Refund or Roll Over Your Accumulated Contributions

• You forfeit all employer contributions.
• Your ERFC credited service will be canceled. 
• If you take a refund payable directly to you, ERFC will withhold 20% federal and 4% Virginia state tax (for Virginia residents). See IRS Special Tax Notice.

To Request a Refund or Rollover

It's up to you to initiate a refund or rollover of your accumulated contributions. You can do so any time after you fully terminate employment with FCPS. Simply log in to your ERFCDirect account. Under “Forms,” select Election to Request Refund or Rollover of Contributions (ERFC 21A). After you’ve completed the form, mail it to our office or contact erfcretirement@fcps.edu to request a secure email to electronically submit it. Once we approve your ERFC 21A, we’ll process your request within 60-90 days.

Impact of a Refund or Rollover If You're Rehired

• ERFC Legacy Plan Members (Hire Date: Before July 1, 2001): If you're later rehired into an ERFC-covered position, you won't be able to return to coverage under the ERFC Legacy benefit structure. You'll automatically be enrolled as a new employee in the ERFC 2001 Tier 2 plan.
• ERFC 2001 Tier 1 Plan Members (Hire Date: July 1, 2001 to June 30, 2017): If you’re rehired into an ERFC-covered position within five years of terminating employment with FCPS, you can redeposit your accumulated contributions with interest within 90 days after you’re rehired. This will restore your previous service credit. However, you’ll automatically be enrolled as a new employee in the ERFC 2001 Tier 2 plan, and your previous service will accrue to that plan. It is your responsibility to notify ERFC if you want to redeposit your accumulated contributions if you're rehired.
• ERFC 2001 Tier 2 Plan Members (Hire Date: July 1, 2017 to Present): If you’re later rehired into an ERFC-covered position, you’ll automatically be enrolled as a new employee in the ERFC 2001 Tier 2 plan.

Authorize Someone to Discuss Your ERFC Information

The Authorization to Discuss Member Information (ERFC 31) gives ERFC permission to discuss your retirement benefits and account information with the person you’ve named. This person is only authorized to have access to information, not to act on your behalf. ERFC representatives must speak with you before providing bank account and bank routing numbers, medical records, beneficiary information, and Approved Domestic Relations Orders.

Designate Someone to Act on Your Behalf

If you want to elect someone to act on your behalf and in accordance with your wishes, complete the ERFC Durable Power of Attorney (ERFC 38), have it notarized, and send it to ERFC. This form gives the person you name permission to:

• Designate or change a beneficiary for you
• Change an address
• Set up direct deposit

A power of attorney provided through your personal attorney is also acceptable.

The ERFC durable power of attorney remains in effect unless you revoke or change it.

Both the Authorization to Discuss ERFC Member Information (ERFC 31) and the ERFC Durable Power of Attorney (ERFC 38) relate only to ERFC information.