Educational information for Florida Retirement System (FRS) members. Not personalized investment, legal, or tax advice. Speak with a licensed professional regarding your individual situation.

What’s Included in a Personalized FRS Benefit Review

A no-cost, no-obligation walk-through of the four FRS decisions that move the needle most: your Pension vs Investment Plan election, your DROP timing, your contribution allocation, and your retirement eligibility. Conducted by a licensed member of the FRS Benefit team — Linda Pierre (FL 2-15 licensed insurance representative) or Raul Benitez, CFP® (2-15 licensed and Investment Advisor Representative).

Most FRS members don’t revisit key decisions as their careers progress. Small timing or plan errors can materially impact long-term retirement income. A Personalized FRS Benefit Review is a one-on-one session with a licensed specialist who works specifically with Florida Retirement System members.

What Your FRS Benefit Review Covers

This review is conducted by a licensed specialist and is designed to help you evaluate the four areas that most often determine FRS retirement outcomes:

1. Pension vs Investment Plan Considerations

The FRS offers two primary retirement options: the traditional Pension Plan and the Investment Plan. The right choice depends on your years of service, age, salary trajectory, risk tolerance, survivor needs, and whether you expect to stay in FRS-covered employment until retirement. Once you make your initial election and use your one-time 2nd Election, the decision is essentially permanent. Your review walks through the trade-offs side by side based on your actual numbers. Learn more about the Pension vs Investment Plan decision →

2. DROP Timing Strategy

The Deferred Retirement Option Program (DROP) lets eligible Pension Plan members lock in their pension benefit while continuing to work for up to eight years. Entering DROP too early or too late can cost tens of thousands of dollars in lifetime income. Your review evaluates eligibility windows, payout scenarios, interest accrual, tax considerations at exit, and how DROP coordinates with Social Security. Learn more about DROP timing →

3. Contribution Allocation

For Investment Plan participants and members weighing the switch, how contributions are allocated across the available FRS funds has a meaningful long-term impact. Your review covers target date funds, equity vs fixed income exposure, the self-directed brokerage account option, and rebalancing as you move through your career. Learn more about contribution allocation →

4. Retirement Eligibility Rules

FRS eligibility depends on your class of membership (Regular, Special Risk, Senior Management, Elected Officers), your enrollment date, and your years of service. Rules differ for members enrolled before and after July 1, 2011. Your review confirms your normal retirement date, early retirement penalties, and how vesting affects your benefit. Learn more about FRS retirement eligibility →

Who This Review Is For

• Teachers and school district employees
• Police officers and firefighters (Special Risk class)
• State agency employees
• County and city government workers participating in FRS
• University and college staff
• Members approaching DROP eligibility or considering early DROP entry
• Members within 1-5 years of retirement
• Members already retired wanting a second opinion

How the Review Works

1. Request your review. Submit a short intake on this site (about two minutes).
2. Pre-review preparation. A licensed member of the FRS Benefit team reviews your information.
3. One-on-one session. Walk through your Pension vs Investment Plan position, DROP timing, contribution allocation, and eligibility with your actual numbers.
4. Clear next steps. Leave with a written summary of decisions and questions to revisit at each milestone.

Why FRS Members Use an Independent Review

MyFRS.com provides forms, calculators, and general information. What it does not provide is a one-on-one conversation that interprets the numbers in the context of your career, your family, and your other retirement assets. That is the gap an independent FRS Benefit Review fills. The goal is not to replace MyFRS, but to give you a second set of eyes from a licensed specialist focused on helping Florida public employees make better retirement decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a cost for the FRS Benefit Review?

The initial review is complimentary. There is no obligation to engage further services.

Do I need to be close to retirement?

No. Decisions made early in your FRS career, particularly the Pension vs Investment Plan election, compound over decades. Mid-career members benefit just as much as those near retirement.

Will my information be shared with the State or MyFRS?

No. The review is conducted by an independent firm. Your information is not shared with the Florida Department of Management Services, the SBA, or MyFRS.

What should I bring to the review?

If you have them handy: your most recent MyFRS annual statement, your hire date, your current contribution allocation (Investment Plan members), and a general sense of your target retirement age. None are required to schedule.