At its November 9, 2018 meeting, the SDCERS' Board of Administration approved staff's recommendation to change the DROP (Deferred Retirement Option Plan) interest rates for the DROP Participation Accounts and DROP Annuities, effective January 1, 2019.
The interest rate for DROP Participation Accounts was increased to 2.7 percent. DROP Participation Accounts are the accounts that Active DROP members (those still working) contribute to during their five-year-maximum participation period. The current rate is 2.0 percent, through December 2018.
The interest rate for a new DROP Annuity was increased to 3.0 percent. A DROP Annuity is a payment option available to DROP participants when they retire from DROP. Under this payment option, retirees receive a monthly DROP payment (annuity) in addition to their monthly retirement benefit (pension). The current rate is 2.8 percent for anyone who enters into a DROP Annuity through December 2018. Important: This has no effect on retirees who have already entered into a DROP Annuity. The DROP Annuity rate is permanent once the annuity disbursement begins.