Chiefs and Fraternal Order back DROP for OPERS to retain veteran officers

The committee opened its session on House Bill 73 with proponents testifying that a deferred retirement option program (DROP) for law-enforcement members of the Ohio Public Employees Retirement System would help retain experienced officers and provide departments notice of impending retirements.

Chief Robert Butler, president of the Ohio Association of Chiefs of Police, testified that HB 73 would bring parity to OPERS members by offering a DROP similar to the programs already available through the Ohio Police & Fire Pension Fund and the Ohio State Highway Patrol system. "The DROP program helps ensure a longer career," Butler said, arguing the option helps departments plan for succession and keeps institutional knowledge on the force.

TJ Asen, state vice president of the Fraternal Order of Police of Ohio and a Mahoning County sergeant, also supported HB 73. Asen described the bill's mechanics: allowing OPERS law-enforcement members to begin drawing monthly pension payments while remaining actively employed and deferring those payments into an approved annuity for up to eight years. He characterized DROP as a cost-neutral retention tool that would not harm the OPERS health-care trust because members would remain covered by employer plans while enrolled.

Committee members asked clarifying questions about whether the bill aligns financially with existing OP&F programs and how DROP differs from the partial lump-sum option (PLOP). Proponents said HB 73 is modeled on existing DROP programs and is meant to standardize access across pension systems.

The committee recorded no formal action on HB 73 during the hearing; members asked staff to review written testimony and continue evaluation.