Deferred Retirement Option Program (DROP)

Work full-time for FCPS

Receive a salary but you won’t contribute to the ERFC Legacy plan or add additional years of credited service to your ERFC pension

Make your ERFC pension benefit option elections when you enter DROP

Please Note: These elections cannot be changed on or after your DROP entry date, except for limited circumstances as permitted under the ERFC Plan.

Be eligible for promotions and pay increases

Be able to contribute to 457(b) and 403(b) plans

Enjoy health and life insurance benefits at employee rates

Earn leave at the same rate

Please Note: You can convert all of your sick leave balance at the time you enter DROP to service credit or hold back up to 40 hours. You’ll enter DROP with the 14 days of sick leave granted to you on July 1 at the start of the current fiscal year (if you haven’t used them), plus any sick leave hours you chose to hold back.

Any sick leave accrued during DROP is "use it or lose it." You will not be able to apply any unused sick leave accrued during DROP or any unused sick leave carried over from before the DROP period toward years of credited service. Your retirement benefit will not be re-calculated when you leave DROP.

Terminate employment and exit DROP at the end of the 5-year DROP period (or sooner if you choose)

Please Note:

- Participation in DROP does not guarantee continued employment. If your employment with FCPS is terminated or you move to an FCPS position that's not covered by ERFC, you must exit DROP.

- While in DROP, you must maintain a leave balance. If your status is Leave Without Pay (LWOP) on the first of the month, you must exit DROP.

- If you enter long-term disability, you must exit DROP. If you're on short-term disability, your participation in DROP doesn't change.