Not vested
Refund or wait
If you leave before vesting you cannot retire, but your service is not lost: it combines with any later covered service. You may take a refund of your contributions or leave them on deposit.
Handbook (2026), p. 27, Before You Are VestedVested
A benefit for life
If you leave after vesting you may retire (normal or early), or defer retirement to a later date to reduce the early cut. You may leave your contributions on deposit or take a refund (giving up that service).
Handbook (2026), p. 27, After You Are VestedThe refund
To get a refund you must terminate all employment and stay off all FRS payrolls for three consecutive calendar months. Handbook (2026), p. 23, Refund of Contributions
Only your own employee contributions, without interest. Employer contributions are not refundable. Handbook (2026), p. 23, Refund of Contributions
You paid employee contributions if you were a member on or after July 1, 2011 or before 1975, or if you bought service credit. From 1975 through June 30, 2011 school-board employees paid none. Handbook (2026), p. 23, Contributions; Refund of Contributions
A refund cancels the service credit it represents, for both the pension and the health insurance subsidy. After one work year back in covered employment you can buy it back by repaying the refund plus interest. Handbook (2026), p. 23, p. 27, Before You Are Vested; Pension Plan SPD (July 1, 2026), p. 3
Apply through FRS Online or Form FRS-M81. Handbook (2026), p. 23, Refund of Contributions
Deferring your benefit
A vested member who leaves can defer retirement to reduce or avoid the early cut; the benefit is figured on the age when payments begin. Handbook (2026), p. 27, After You Are Vested
Moving between FRS employers
Service with any of the roughly 1,000 FRS employers combines in one account. Handbook (2026), p. 22, Portability
Buying refunded service back
Prior service (refunded service, or service with no contributions): repurchase after one year of reemployment, paying the required contributions plus interest. Handbook (2026), p. 33, item 1, Prior Service Buying service credit
The facts
- If you leave before vesting you cannot retire, but your service is kept and combines with any later FRS service.Handbook (2026), p. 27, Before You Are Vested
- To get a refund you must be off all FRS payrolls for three consecutive calendar months.Handbook (2026), p. 23, Refund of Contributions
- A refund returns only your own contributions, without interest. Employer contributions are never refunded.Handbook (2026), p. 23, Refund of Contributions
- Members from 1975 through June 30, 2011 paid no employee contributions, so that service has nothing to refund and stays credited.Handbook (2026), p. 23, Contributions
- A refund cancels that service for the pension and the HIS. After one year back in FRS work you can buy it back with interest.Handbook (2026), p. 23; Pension Plan SPD (July 1, 2026), p. 3
- If you leave after vesting, you can retire now, defer to a later age, and leave your contributions in.Handbook (2026), p. 27, After You Are Vested
Next: early retirement or taxes.
Questions
What happens to my FRS pension if I leave teaching?
If you're vested (6 years if enrolled before July 1, 2011, 8 if on or after), you can retire later or now (early, with a cut). If not, your service is kept for a return, or you can take a refund of your own contributions.
What does a refund give me?
Only your own employee contributions, without interest. Employer contributions are not refundable.
What do I give up with a refund?
A refund cancels the service credit it represents, for both the pension and the health insurance subsidy. After one work year back in covered employment you can buy it back by repaying the refund plus interest.
Source: FRS Pension Plan Member Handbook, 2026 Edition, pp. 22, 23, 26, 27, 33. Also: Pension Plan SPD (July 1, 2026), p. 3; F.S. 121.021. Last reviewed .