Planning for Retirement

FCPS Retirement Coordinators and Appointments

FCPS retirement coordinators can answer questions and assist you with preparing your retirement documents:

Retirement appointments are scheduled once per month and announced through Employee News. These small group appointments are usually held in the Central Office Board Room and are generally scheduled on non-student days as to be more convenient for employees to attend. During these appointments, FCPS retirement benefits, Maryland State Retirement Agency forms and FCPS retirement forms are reviewed and discussed. Please email benefits.office@fcps.org for the next scheduled appointment date.

If you plan to retire, you should have your completed packet submitted to Human Resources no later than 30 days prior to your retirement date.

Upcoming Retirement Packet and Submission Meetings:

Retirement Insurance Tier Eligibility (RITE)

For Information on Your Maryland State Retirement Agency (MSRA) Pension Plan Benefit

FCPS participates with the Maryland State Retirement Pension system. Eligible active employees are required to contribute 7% of their pay to the pension plan.  You will complete an Application for Membership and Beneficiary Form upon hire. These funds are then contributed to your MSRA Pension Plan on your behalf as long as you are working for FCPS. You may update your beneficiary on line by visiting the mySRPS section of the State Retirement Agency website.

The Maryland State Retirement Agency no longer mails a yearly Personal Statement of Benefits (PSB) to each employee. You can access your PSB, obtain an Estimate of Benefits, Participant Member Handbook, Forms, Videos and other information on the Maryland State Retirement Agency website http://www.sra.state.md.us/ or by calling the Member Service Center. Be sure to register for mySRPS to be able to see all of this information online: https://sra.maryland.gov/mysrps

Office Hours are Monday – Friday 8:30am – 4:30pm EST.

  • Toll-free: 1-800-492-5909
  • Local: 410-625-5555
  • TDD/TTY: 410-625-5535

When you near your eligibility for retirement, you may request an estimate by mail using Form 9. However, you can generate an immediate estimate by using the mySRPS system on the MSRA website by logging into your account at mySRPS login. The mySRPS system is able to provide retirement dates and an estimate for all pension payout options.

Additional forms that you may need when nearing retirement are Forms 26 & 43. Form 26 is used to purchase previous service from a private school or another county and Form 43 allows you to get credit for prior military service.  Feel free to contact MSRA Member Services regarding questions completing these forms.

403(b)/457(b) Retirement Savings Plans

FCPS also offers Retirement Savings Plans in addition to the MD State Retirement Pension.   FCPS Retirement Savings Plans are to encourage eligible employees to voluntarily set aside a portion of their FCPS pay to enhance their retirement savings or reach other long-term financial goals.  Retirement savings programs for employees of public education employers such as 403(b) and 457(b) plans are voluntary programs wherein employees can contribute money to their retirement savings via pre-tax or Roth (after-tax) contributions in the form of a payroll deduction, and that money grows tax-deferred until retirement.  You can learn more about how to enroll and who to contact for the 403(b) and 457(b) Retirement Savings Plans.

Newsletter

TSA Newsletter (September 2021)

Links

The Mentor Newsletter (Summer 2020)
The Mentor Newsletter (Fall 2020)
MSRA Pre-Retirement Seminars