5-Year BackDROP

A co-worker said they had read that if you stay past your 5 year backdrop period that your backdrop is negatively affected. Is this true?

The amount of a BackDROP lump sum could decrease if you were eligible to retire before age 62 but worked beyond age 62 and retired under MSEP 2000. This is due to a provision in MSEP 2000 called the Temporary Benefit. The Temporary Benefit is an amount paid to you in addition to your Base Benefit but the Temporary Benefit ends at age 62.
 
Since your BackDROP lump-sum amount is 90% of what you would have received if you had been retired during the BackDROP period, it maxes out at age 62 and can decrease (under the above scenario) if you work beyond age 62 under MSEP 2000.

Since there is no Temporary Benefit in MSEP, if you retire under MSEP and elect BackDROP, the amount of your lump sum will not decrease if you work past age 62. 

We have a helpful Comparison Calculator on our website where you can compare the long-term impact of electing MSEP versus MSEP 2000, different BackDROP periods under the different plans, and various other options. Or, you can ask a MOSERS benefit counselor to provide you with various benefit estimates and Comparison Calculator results.

You are not required to take BackDROP, regardless of how long you work beyond normal retirement eligibility, and you don’t have to notify MOSERS of any decisions about BackDROP until you retire.

The BackDROP is simply a benefit payment option that is available to eligible members.  Members who are or may become eligible for BackDROP are encouraged to attend a PreRetirement Planning Seminar and/or make an appointment with a MOSERS benefit counselor for further explanation.

*BackDROP is available only to general state employees who are members of MSEP & MSEP 2000 and who work at least two years beyond normal retirement eligibility