Of the 50 states we cover so far, 3 teacher systems offer a DROP (Arkansas, Florida and Louisiana), and 42 don't. 5 states aren't settled in our data yet.
This is an independent summary, not affiliated with or endorsed by any retirement system. Each answer comes from that state's own published sources, cited in the table. It covers the main teacher plan in each state; your own tier or employer can change the answer. Always confirm with your retirement system before you decide anything.
Covers all 50 states. "Not covered yet" means our data for that state doesn't settle the question yet. "Check with" means the sources leave a point open.
At a glance
- Has a DROP 3: Arkansas, Florida, Louisiana
- No DROP 38: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Delaware, Georgia, Hawaii, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming
- Check with the system 4: Colorado, Connecticut, Nevada, Pennsylvania
- Not covered yet 5: California, Idaho, Illinois, New York, Ohio
State by state
| State | Has a DROP? | Source |
|---|---|---|
| AlabamaTRS of Alabama | No DROP No. TRS of Alabama's DROP was for Tier 1 only and closed to new applications on March 24, 2011. Members already in it follow the old rules. | TRS Member Handbook (7-2026), pp. 27-28; Ala. Code Section 16-25-150(f)Alabama DROP guide → |
| AlaskaAlaska TRS | No DROP No. Alaska TRS has no DROP. You choose normal or early retirement and a survivor option. | TRS Information Handbook (2011), p. 18, Retirement Benefit Options; TRS Retirement Process handout (Jan. 6, 2025), slide 14Alaska DROP guide → |
| ArizonaASRS | No DROP No. ASRS has no DROP. The closest feature is a partial lump sum of up to 36 months of benefits at retirement. That is not a DROP. Our data checked the state law's section list. | A.R.S. 38-760(B)(3)Arizona DROP guide → |
| ArkansasATRS | Has a DROP Yes. With T-DROP you keep working while monthly deposits build in an account for up to 10 years, earning 3% a year. Interest is compounded yearly; the Board may add an incentive (up to 6% total). You need 30 years of service, or 28 for early entry. | ATRS Member Handbook 2026-2027, pp. 17-18; T-DROP pamphlet 2026, p. 2Arkansas DROP guide → |
| CaliforniaCalSTRS | Not covered yet Our California data doesn't record whether there is a DROP yet. | California DROP guide → |
| ColoradoColorado PERA | Check with Colorado PERA PERA has no DROP. To work for a PERA employer after retiring, you follow the working after retirement limits. PERA's sources don't mention a DROP. Our data marks this as stated from absence, so confirm with PERA. | Your PERA Benefits (rev. Apr. 2026), contents; Working After Retirement (rev. July 2026), pp. 1-3Colorado DROP guide → |
| ConnecticutConnecticut TRB | Check with Connecticut TRB Connecticut TRB has no DROP (a plan to keep working while your pension builds in an account). This is stated from absence in the handbook and the state law section list, so confirm with the TRB. | CTRS Active Teachers' Handbook (July 1, 2022), pp. 3-4, Table of ContentsConnecticut DROP guide → |
| DelawareSEPP | No DROP No. The State Employees' Pension Plan has no DROP. | SEPP Summary Plan Description (2026), Table of Contents, pp. 3-5 (no DROP or deferred-retirement option section)Delaware DROP guide → |
| FloridaFRS | Has a DROP Yes. You retire on paper and keep working up to 96 months while benefits build in an account earning 4% a year. Interest is compounded monthly. K-12 instructional staff may extend up to 24 more months with approval; that extension expires June 30, 2029. | Member Handbook (2026 ed.), p. 40, The Deferred Retirement Option Program (DROP)Florida DROP guide → |
| GeorgiaTRS of Georgia | No DROP No. TRS of Georgia's guide describes no DROP. The sources we use don't describe a DROP. The closest feature is the Partial Lump-Sum Option (PLOP), which is not a DROP. | Member's Guide 06/26, p. 3, Table of Contents; p. 13, PLOPGeorgia DROP guide → |
| HawaiiHawaii ERS | No DROP No. Hawaii ERS has no DROP. None appears in any Hawaii ERS publication we use. | Hawaii ERS Hybrid Retirement Information (Oct. 2026), pp. 8-9; Hawaii ERS ACFR 2024, pp. 12-22 (PDF 14-24)Hawaii DROP guide → |
| IdahoPERSI | Not covered yet Our Idaho data doesn't record whether there is a DROP yet. | Idaho DROP guide → |
| IllinoisTRS Illinois | Not covered yet Our Illinois data doesn't record whether there is a DROP yet. | Illinois DROP guide → |
| IndianaTRF | No DROP No. TRF has no DROP. At 65 with 20 years, Millie Morgan retirement lets you start your pension and keep working in your TRF job. That choice is permanent, and you earn no more service. | Hybrid Handbook 07/01/2025, p. 32, §7.7; ACFR FY2025, Financial Section p. 31Indiana DROP guide → |
| IowaIPERS | No DROP No. IPERS has no DROP or similar program. IPERS's Member Handbook doesn't describe one. | IPERS Member Handbook (Updated July 2025), pp. 1-2, ContentsIowa DROP guide → |
| KansasKPERS | No DROP No. KPERS has no DROP for teachers. Its DROP is only for Kansas Police and Firemen's members. | Report of the Joint Committee on Pensions to the 2025 Legislature, PDF p. 4; KPERS Budget Narrative FY 2027, PDF p. 17Kansas DROP guide → |
| KentuckyTRS of Kentucky | No DROP No. TRS of Kentucky has no DROP. Retirees can work again only under the return-to-work rules. | TRS 4 SPD (Jan. 2022), Contents; KRS 161.605Kentucky DROP guide → |
| LouisianaTRSL | Has a DROP Yes. Your frozen benefit goes into a DROP account for up to 36 months while you keep working. The account earns interest only after DROP ends, with no minimum. For members eligible on or after Jan. 1, 2004 the rate was 4.3243% for the year ended June 30, 2025. | TRSL DROP Handbook (Apr. 2026), pp. 3, 5; R.S. 11:786(B)Louisiana DROP guide → |
| MaineMainePERS | No DROP No. MainePERS has no DROP for teachers. The sources we use don't describe a DROP. | MainePERS Teacher Member Handbook (2026), contentsMaine DROP guide → |
| MarylandTPS | No DROP No. The Teachers' Pension System has no DROP. | ACPS Handbook (no DROP section); SRA web: Member PamphletsMaryland DROP guide → |
| MassachusettsMTRS | No DROP No. MTRS has no DROP or similar option. The sources we use don't describe a DROP. | Booklet (no such program described)Massachusetts DROP guide → |
| MichiganMPSERS | No DROP No. MPSERS has no DROP or similar program. The sources we use don't describe a DROP. | MCL 38.1381-38.1385Michigan DROP guide → |
| MinnesotaTRA | No DROP No. TRA has no DROP. | TRA Handbook (Apr. 2022), contents pp. i-iiMinnesota DROP guide → |
| MississippiMississippi PERS | No DROP No. Mississippi PERS has no DROP. The sources we use don't describe a DROP. The closest feature is the Partial Lump Sum Option, which is not a DROP. | PERS Member Handbook (rev. Nov. 8, 2024), pp. 5, 30Mississippi DROP guide → |
| MissouriPSRS | No DROP No. PSRS has no DROP. The Partial Lump Sum Option is the only lump sum at retirement. A partial lump sum (PLSO) is not a DROP. | Handbook 2026-2027, p. 46, Types of Benefits; p. 49, PLSOMissouri DROP guide → |
| MontanaMontana TRS | No DROP No. Montana TRS has no DROP. | MCA Title 19, Chapter 20; Actuarial Valuation July 1, 2025, pp. 47-51Montana DROP guide → |
| NebraskaNebraska School Retirement System | No DROP No. The School Plan has no DROP. The sources we use don't describe a DROP. | NPERS School Handbook (rev. 07/2026), table of contents (no DROP section)Nebraska DROP guide → |
| NevadaNevada PERS | Check with Nevada PERS Nevada PERS shows no DROP for Regular members. None of the Nevada PERS publications or laws we reviewed describes one. That is inferred from absence, so confirm with Nevada PERS. | Nevada PERS Summary Plan Description for Regular Members (REV 8/25); NRS chapter 286Nevada DROP guide → |
| New HampshireNHRS | No DROP No. NHRS has no DROP. The sources we use don't describe a DROP. | NHRS web page 'Benefit Payment Options' (saved Nov. 12, 2026); RSA 100-A:13New Hampshire DROP guide → |
| New JerseyTPAF | No DROP No. TPAF has no DROP or similar program. The sources we use don't describe a DROP. | Guidebook pp. 24-35New Jersey DROP guide → |
| New MexicoNMERB | No DROP No. NMERB has no DROP. Retirees who go back to work use the return-to-work programs. The sources we use don't describe a DROP. | NMERB Member Handbook 2025 (no DROP section); NMSA 1978, §§22-11-1 to 22-11-55 (no DROP provision)New Mexico DROP guide → |
| New YorkNYSTRS | Not covered yet Our New York data doesn't record whether there is a DROP yet. | New York DROP guide → |
| North CarolinaTSERS | No DROP No. TSERS has no DROP or similar program. The sources we use don't describe a DROP. | TSERS Handbook (all pages, downloaded 2026-11-11)North Carolina DROP guide → |
| North DakotaTFFR | No DROP No. TFFR has no DROP or similar program. | TFFR Member Handbook (5/7/2026) (none listed); Actuarial Valuation (July 1, 2026), pp. 35-38North Dakota DROP guide → |
| OhioSTRS Ohio | Not covered yet Our Ohio data doesn't record whether there is a DROP yet. | Ohio DROP guide → |
| OklahomaTRS of Oklahoma | No DROP No. TRS of Oklahoma has no DROP. EESIP is its incentive to keep working, for members with capped pre-1995 service. | TRS Member Handbook (July 1, 2025), pp. 2-3 (contents), 18-20Oklahoma DROP guide → |
| OregonOregon PERS | No DROP No. Oregon PERS has no DROP or similar option. The sources we use don't describe a DROP. | PERS Tier One/Tier Two and OPSRP Preretirement Guides (June 2026); PERS Employer Guide Ch. 1 (Sept. 2026)Oregon DROP guide → |
| PennsylvaniaPSERS | Check with PSERS PSERS has no DROP; none of its publications describe one. That is absence in PSERS's publications, not a statement that a DROP can't exist, so confirm with PSERS. | Active Member Handbook (whole document)Pennsylvania DROP guide → |
| Rhode IslandERSRI | No DROP No. ERSRI has no DROP for teachers. ERSRI's handbook doesn't describe one. | ERSRI Member Handbook (10th ed., June 2020), Contents (no such section)Rhode Island DROP guide → |
| South CarolinaSCRS | No DROP No. SCRS has no DROP. The old TERI program closed June 30, 2018. | Past Pension Reform Legislation, PDF p. 1South Carolina DROP guide → |
| South DakotaSDRS | No DROP No. SDRS has no DROP or similar plan. The sources we use don't describe a DROP. | SDRS Class A Foundation and Generational Handbooks (July 2024); Actuarial Valuation June 30, 2024, pp. 49-59South Dakota DROP guide → |
| TennesseeTCRS | No DROP No. TCRS has no DROP or similar program for teachers. The sources we use don't describe a DROP. | Legacy Member Guide 12/2024; Hybrid Member Guide rev. 07/2024Tennessee DROP guide → |
| TexasTRS | No DROP No. TRS's old DROP closed to new participants on Dec. 31, 2005. From TRS's 2018 benefit design study, PDF p. 43. The handbook still mentions DROP for grandfathered members. | TRS Pension Benefit Design Study (Dec. 2018)Texas DROP guide → |
| UtahURS | No DROP No. URS has no DROP. Utah offers phased retirement instead: at 55 or older, work half time and get 50% of your benefit. Your employer must take part, and you need four years of full-time work first. | Utah Code 49-11-1302, 49-11-1303Utah DROP guide → |
| VermontVSTRS | No DROP No. VSTRS has no DROP or similar option. | VSTRS Group C #2 handout (2012), pp. 1-6; 16 V.S.A. chapter 55; Segal, VSTRS Actuarial Valuation as of June 30, 2025, pp. 57-63, Exhibit HVermont DROP guide → |
| VirginiaVRS | No DROP No. VRS has no DROP. The Partial Lump-Sum Option (PLOP) rewards working past unreduced eligibility. It is not a DROP. | VRS Plan 1 Handbook VRSHB-1 07-2026, p. 16-18, Benefit Payout OptionsVirginia DROP guide → |
| WashingtonWashington TRS | No DROP No. Washington TRS has no DROP. The sources we use don't describe a DROP. The closest features are the Plan 1 Post-30-Year refund program and Plan 3 benefit indexing. | RCW 41.32 (whole chapter); DRS TRS Plan 1 page and TRS Plan 3 page (retrieved 2026-11-11)Washington DROP guide → |
| West VirginiaWest Virginia TRS | No DROP No. West Virginia TRS has no DROP. | TRS Tier I brochure (Sept. 2023); W. Va. Code §18-7AWest Virginia DROP guide → |
| WisconsinWRS | No DROP No. WRS has no DROP. | ET-2119 (6/18/2026), table of contents (no DROP section)Wisconsin DROP guide → |
| WyomingWyoming RS | No DROP No. WRS has no DROP for the Public Employee Pension Plan. | WRS Public Employee Pension Plan Handbook (Updated August 2026), p. 2, table of contents (no DROP section); W.S. 9-3-401 to 9-3-454Wyoming DROP guide → |
What this means
DROP stands for Deferred Retirement Option Plan (some states use a different name). You stop earning more pension, but keep your job. Each month, the pension you would have been paid goes into a DROP account. When the DROP period ends, you leave work and get the account plus your monthly pension.
The rules differ a lot: how long you can stay in, whether the account earns interest, and what happens if you leave early. A partial lump-sum option (often called PLOP or PLSO) is not the same thing as a DROP.
Questions
What is a DROP for teachers?
A Deferred Retirement Option Plan. You set your pension, keep working for a fixed time, and your monthly pension is saved in an account you receive when you leave.
Is a DROP the same as a lump-sum option?
No. A partial lump-sum option pays some cash at retirement in exchange for a smaller monthly check. A DROP builds an account while you keep working.
Should I join a DROP?
That depends on your own plans and numbers. This page only shows which systems have one. Ask your retirement system for an official estimate.
Sources: each state's own handbook, statute or system publication, cited in its row. Last checked Nov. 12, 2026. Found an error? Tell us.