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Council weighs deferred‑retirement option program for deputy sheriffs
Summary
Council Bill 51 would add a deferred retirement option program (DROP) for deputy sheriffs hired after July 1, 2021 who attain at least 20 years' creditable service; county staff and the Pension Oversight Commission say the change supports retention and may produce a small actuarial savings.
Council Bill 51 would amend the Howard County retirement plan to create a deferred retirement option program (commonly called a DROP) for participating deputy sheriffs. Human Resources Administrator Anshie Bennett said the DROP would be effective 07/01/2024 and would apply to deputies hired after 07/01/2021 once they reach 20 years' creditable service; the change is aligned with collective bargaining and follows pension counsel drafting and Pension Oversight Commission review.
Bennett told the council the program is intended to help retention and succession planning by incentivizing experienced staff to continue working for two to five years past eligibility for retirement, noting similar programs exist for other county public‑safety employees. An attached actuarial estimate prepared in February by the county’s pension actuary was provided to councilmembers and, according to Bennett, projects a small savings to the retirement plan.
