5 years of full-time service with FCPS entitles you to a pension with ERFC.
ERFC is an amazing benefit that FCPS offers to full-time teachers, educational personnel, instructional assistants, administrators, and support and technical staff. While most education employees get only one pension, FCPS gives you TWO pensions in addition to your Social Security benefits.
How do I receive an ERFC pension?
It's super easy! You're automatically enrolled in ERFC. All you need to do is:
Get vested by working full time with FCPS for 5 years in a position that contributes to ERFC.
Be eligible to retire by meeting your plan's age and years of service requirements.
When can I retire?
It depends on which plan you're in.
Legacy Plan
(Hire Date: Before July 1, 2001):
- Reduced benefit
- At age 45 with at least 25 years
- At age 55 with at least 5 years
- Unreduced benefit
- At age 55 with at least 25 years
- At age 65 with at least 5 years
Learn More
2001 Tier 1 Plan
(Hire Date: July 1, 2001 to June 30, 2017):
- Any age with at least 30 years
- Age 60 with at least 5 years
Learn More
2001 Tier 2 Plan
(Hire Date: July 1, 2017 to Present):
- Social Security age
- Rule of 90 (years of service + age = 90)
Learn More
What happens if I leave FCPS?
If you worked less than 5 years: You can request a refund of your contributions, roll them over, or leave them at ERFC if you plan to come back in the future. If you leave your contributions with ERFC and then return to work at FCPS, you can add more years of service to your pension fund.
If you worked 5 or more years: Congratulations! You're vested. When you're eligible to retire, you'll receive a second pension from ERFC. Make sure you don't request a refund or rollover and lose all your hard work.