State Retirement and Pension System – Alterations and Clarifications

New retirement rules for state police

Beginning July 1, 2025, Maryland changes how service counts for the State Police Deferred Retirement Option Program (DROP). The law uses years worked in a position eligible for State Police Retirement System membership, replacing the prior service measure. Members who joined by June 30, 2011, need at least 22 but fewer than 32 work years. Those who joined on or after July 1, 2011, need at least 25 but fewer than 32 work years. Both groups must be under age 60. The Secretary of State Police needs 22 or 25 work years, depending on the group, without those age or 32-year eligibility limits. Participation remains capped at the shortest applicable limit: seven years, 32 minus eligible work years, 60 minus age, or the member's chosen term. The work-year and age calculations use the date the member elects to participate.