FRS Retirement Eligibility

Miami-Dade County provides retirement benefits for eligible employees through the Florida Retirement System (FRS).

The FRS is qualified under Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code and provides a defined benefit (FRS Pension Plan) and a defined contribution plan (FRS Investment Plan) option. Under the defined benefit plan, for every month an employee receives a paycheck, they receive one month of service credit; if the employee participates in the defined contribution plan a contribution is made to their account and the employee is responsible for managing their investments.

To qualify for the retirement benefit, an employee must be vested. Effective July 1, 2011, the legislature amended the retirement plan and redefined normal retirement age and the vesting requirements for new members. In addition, FRS members must contribute three percent of their salary towards their retirement benefit, on a pre-tax basis (the salary is reduced by the amount of the employee contribution before determining the federal income tax deduction); the remainder is paid by the employer. Members participating in the Deferred Retirement Option Program (DROP) and re-employed retirees who do not qualify for renewed membership are not required to make the three percent contribution.

As of June 5, 2023, eligible members in a regularly established position can elect to participate in DROP for no longer than 96 calendar months beginning any time after their normal retirement date.

For the latest FRS Information Releases, visit The Florida Department of Management Services. This information release outlines the provisions of Senate Bill (SB) 7024 and SB 110.

- Vesting for FRS Pension Plan benefit eligibility will be after the completion of six years of creditable service
- The average final compensation (AFC) used in calculating retirement benefits will be the highest five fiscal years of salary
- Members of the Regular Class, Senior Management Service Class and Elected Officers' Class will reach their normal retirement date:
  - The first day of the month the member reaches age 62 and is vested; or
  - The first day of the month following the month the member completes 30 years of creditable service, regardless of age before age 62
- Members of the Special Risk Class will reach their normal retirement date:
  - The first day of the month the member reaches age 55 and is vested; or
  - The first day of the month following the month the member completes 25 years of creditable service in the Special Risk Class, regardless of age before age 55; or
  - The first day of the month following the date the member reaches age 52 and completes 25 years of service comprised of Special Risk Class service and up to four years of wartime military service purchased under Section121.111, Florida Statute
- Vesting for FRS Pension Plan benefit eligibility will be after the completion of eight years of creditable service
- The average final compensation (AFC) used in calculating retirement benefits will be the highest eight fiscal years of salary
- Members of the Regular Class, Senior Management Service Class and Elected Officers’ Class will reach their normal retirement date:
  - The first day of the month the member reaches age 65 and is vested; or
  - The first day of the month following the month the member completes 33 years of creditable service, regardless of age before age 65
- Members of the Special Risk Class will reach their normal retirement date:
  - The first day of the month the member reaches age 55 and is vested; or
  - The first day of the month following the month the member completes 25 years of creditable service in the Special Risk Class, regardless of age before age 55; or
  - The first day of the month following the date the member reaches age 57 and completes 30 years of service comprised of Special Risk Class service and up to four years of wartime military service purchased under Section 121.111, Florida Statute
Under the defined benefit plan, an employee’s annual benefit will be determined by multiplying the years of service by a percentage value and by the average of the five highest years of creditable salary. An employee may retire before reaching normal retirement age, but the annual benefit will be reduced by five percent for each year under normal retirement date. With the defined contribution plan, the employee’s benefit amount depends on the investment returns earned on contributions.
Federal law, under section 401(a)(17) of the Internal Revenue Code, limits the amount of annual salary that may be applied towards retirement under a qualified retirement plan. Employees who initially became members of the FRS on or after July 1, 1996, are subject to a $150,000 limit, incrementally indexed for cost-of-living increases after 1996. Employees who initially became members of the FRS before July 1, 1996, are subject to a higher limit (also adjusted annually by the IRS to reflect cost-of-living increases).
The current limits are:

Date
7/01/2011

Member on or after 7/01/1996
$245,000

Member prior to 7/01/1996
$363,820
Retirement benefits may be provided to employees with eight years of creditable service who become totally and permanently disabled. Employees who become disabled in the line of duty may become eligible for disability benefits regardless of their length of service.

Additional information on the FRS is available by calling 1-844-377-1888 or online or www.MyFRS.com.

As a supplement to the retirement benefits under the FRS, Miami-Dade County offers employees a deferred compensation program.

Phone Number(s)

Florida Retirement System (FRS)
1-844-377-1888

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Miami-Dade County provides retirement benefits for eligible employees through the Florida Retirement System (FRS). Enrollment is automatic for full-time and part-time employees.

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