Everything You Need to Know About Deferred Retirement Option Plans (DROPs)

If you’re nearing retirement age but not quite ready to leave the workforce behind yet, a deferred retirement option plan (DROP) may be the answer. These plans were first introduced in the 1980s by public sector employers; today they’re offered to firefighters, police officers and other types of civil servants. DROP plans offer dual benefits to both employers and eligible employees. Keep reading to learn more about the finer points of these plans and why they may be a good option for workers who are interested in a phased retirement.

DROP plans may seem complex at first glance, but they’re not overly complicated. The way the plan works is this: An employee who would otherwise be eligible to retire and start drawing down benefits from an employer’s defined-benefit plan keeps working instead. Rather than having those additional years of service included in future benefit calculations, the employer places a lump sum of money into a separate account for each year the employee remains on the job. This account would earn interest as long as you’re still reporting to work. Once you actually retire, the money held in that account would be paid to you, interest included, on top of whatever money you’ve accumulated in your pension plan over the course of your career. (For more, see A Primer on Defined-Benefit Pension Plans.)

The way the funds are paid out to you depends on how the plan is structured. For example, eligible members of Florida’s Retirement System (FRS) pension plan have the option of taking their payout as a lump sum, a rollover into their State of Florida Deferred Compensation account or a combination of a lump sum and rollover. (For more, see Retirement Plan Rollovers: Top Tips for Doing It Right.) 

It’s important to note that DROP plans may impose a defined window of participation in which you can enroll and earn benefits, which can vary based on the program. State employees in Louisiana, for instance, have a 60-day window to enroll once they reach their first eligible retirement date. Once they’re in the plan, they can participate for a maximum of 36 months. In Florida, by comparison, employees can stay in the plan for up to five years. 

The amount of compensation you’re able to receive through a deferred retirement option plan is based on your average annual salary, how many years of service you have under your belt, the accrual rate and the length of time you participate in the plan. Here’s an example of how your benefits can add up.

Let’s say you’re 55 years old and have been a teacher for the past 25 years, earning an average annual salary of $40,000. Your state retirement system offers a DROP plan with an annual accrual rate of 2.5% and a participation limit of four years. If you multiply that $40,000 by the 2.5% accrual rate, then multiply that by 25 years, you’d get $25,000. If you were to work the full four years past your retirement date, that’s $100,000 you’d have in your DROP plan. (For more, see The Top Retirement Strategies for Teachers.)

The number one benefit of DROP plans for employers is that it allows them to keep employees working longer. In fields such as law enforcement and education, being able to keep the workforce stable is a definite advantage.

There are a couple of reasons why DROP plans may be viewed favorably by workers. If, for example, you’ve already maxed out your lifetime benefits payable from a defined-benefit plan, you could continue adding to your nest egg through a DROP. The rate of accrual that you get from a deferred retirement option plan may also be better than what the defined-benefit plan offers.

One thing to which workers should pay attention is how those benefits are paid out once their participation period in the plan ends. If you’re taking a lump sum, for example, those benefits would be taxed as ordinary income, which could possibly push you into a higher tax bracket. Rolling the funds over to another qualified plan could allow you to sidestep a bigger tax bill, so you need to weigh all the options before making a move. 

Deferred retirement option plans can be a valuable resource for public sector employees who are hoping to bolster their savings before retiring. If you’re eligible to take part in one of these plans, be sure to read over the details carefully to ensure that you’re making the most of it. Most important, plan ahead for how a DROP lump sum payment or rollover could affect your tax situation.