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How is the FAP calculated?

Dec 12, 2023, 00:00 AM by MOSERS
I understand that a person's retirement is based on the FAP of their three highest years worked. If a person retires in the middle of the year, is the FAP figure for fiscal year, or from date of retirement?

When you retire, you will get a monthly pension benefit for life. Your base benefit is calculated using a formula, as defined by law, using the following factors:

  • Final Average Pay (FAP) – The average of your highest 36 consecutive months of pay
  • Multiplier – A number established by the legislature
  • Credited Service – Your years and months of credited service earned, purchased, or transferred, and unused sick leave (if applicable)


(Base benefit is the amount before any reductions, taxes, or other deductions.)

To answer your question specifically, the FAP is based on the highest 36 consecutive months in your pay history, not on fiscal years. For most people that ends up being at the end of their state service, but not always.  

This does not apply to members who elect BackDROP at retirement. To be eligible for BackDROP, you must continue working in a MOSERS benefit-eligible position for at least two years beyond your normal retirement eligibility. If you elect BackDROP at retirement, any pay earned during the BackDROP period does not count in your “high 36”. BackDROP is available only to eligible general state employees in MSEP or MSEP 2000.
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