Retirement Systems

CONTACT INFORMATION: Our office is open 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM M-F/ Closed between 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM M-F / Walk-ins 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM M-F
703-279-8200 TTY 711
12015 Route 50 - Suite 350 - Fairfax, VA 22033
Jeff Weiler
Executive Director

Employees' Retirement System

ERS image

Plan Designations

  • Plan A or Plan B:
    • Employee Members who started work for Fairfax County on or before December 31, 2012
  • Plan C or Plan D:
    • Employee Members who started work for Fairfax County on or after January 1, 2013
  • Plan E:
    • Employee Members who started work for Fairfax County on or after July 1, 2019

Contributions to Employee Retirement System

Employee:
  • Plans A & C:
    • 4% of salary up to the Social Security Taxable Wage Base (2019 = $132,900) PLUS
    • 5.333% of salary in excess of the Social Security Taxable Wage Base
  • Plans B, D & E:
    • 5.333% of salary
Employee contributions earn 5% interest annually
Employer:
  • Varies yearly, determined by amount required to fund the plan based on actuarial calculations.
  • As of July 1, 2020 - 28.35% / As of July 1, 2021 - 28.88%

Types of Retirement Benefits

Normal Service Retirement

Eligibility:
  • All Plans:
    • Age 65 with five or more years of service
  • Plans A & B:
    • Rule of 80 (Age + Service = 80) Minimum age of 50
  • Plans C, D & E:
    • Rule of 85 (Age + Service = 85) Minimum age of 55
Benefit Calculation:

FAS (Final Average Salary) = average of member’s highest 78 consecutive pay periods (36 months) salary

  • Plan A and Plan C:
    • 1.8% x FAS x Years of Benefit Service x 1.03
  • Plan B and Plan D:
    • 2.0% x FAS x Years of Benefit Service x 1.03
  • Pre-Social Security Benefit (Plans A, B, C and D):
    • 1.0% x FAS x Years of Benefit Service x 1.03
  • Plan E:
    • 2.0% x FAS x Years of Benefit Service

Early Service Retirement

Eligibility:
  • Rule of 75 (Age + Service = 75) Minimum age = 50
Benefit Calculation:
  • Same as Normal Service Retirement and dependent upon which plan the member was in, but reduced by a percentage based on age at the time of early retirement. No Pre-Social Security Benefit payable.

Deferred Vested

Eligibility:
  • Age 65 if the employee has 5 or more years of service and contributions remained in the system
Benefit Calculation:
  • Same as Normal Service Retirement and dependent upon which plan the member was in.

Ordinary Disability

Eligibility:
  • At least five years of retirement eligible service. Disability is not job-related.
Benefit Calculation:
  • 2.0% x FAS x Years of Benefit Service (Max of 30 years) x 1.03
  • No Pre-Social Security Benefit payable.

Service-Connected Disability

Eligibility:
  • Any amount of retirement eligible service qualifies. Disability must be job-related.
Benefit Calculation:
  • 66-2/3% of FAS less payments from Workers' Compensation

DROP (Deferred Retirement Option Program)

Eligibility:
  • Same as Normal Service Retirement and dependent upon which plan the member was in.

Survivor Benefits

  • Before Retirement
    • Either optional spouse's benefit equal to 50% of the employee's benefit as of the date of death or refund of contributions and interest.
  • After Retirement
    • Either optional Joint and Last Survivor benefit of 50%, 66-2/3%, 75%, or 100% of retiree's reduced benefit or refund of remaining employee contributions and interest.


Click here for more on the Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA)

 


 

Minimum/Maximum Benefits:

  • Minimum: $300 annually.
  • Maximum: amount allowed under I.R.C. Section 415.

 

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