Bill > S0478

This bill modifies the Deferred Retirement Option Program (DROP) eligibility for school employees by removing time limitations for certain educational personnel. Specifically, the bill eliminates previous restrictions on DROP participation for instructional personnel, administrative personnel, and educational support employees in grades K-12, including those employed by the Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind and developmental research schools. Under the current law, DROP participants were limited to 96 calendar months of participation with some potential extensions, but this bill removes those time constraints. The legislation allows these educational employees more flexibility in their retirement planning by providing them the ability to participate in DROP for a longer period without the previous time-based restrictions. The bill also includes a declaration of state interest, emphasizing the importance of providing fair and actuarially sound retirement benefits to government employees. The changes will take effect on July 1, 2025, giving school districts and the Florida Retirement System time to prepare for the new implementation.

https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2025/478