08/13/2026
Public Statement Regarding Oklahoma Public Employees Retirement System (OPERS)
Grady County participates in the Oklahoma Public Employees Retirement System (OPERS), a statutory retirement system established and governed by Oklahoma law. Retirement eligibility, benefits, member contributions, and benefit administration are determined by state law and administered exclusively by OPERS.
Role of Grady County
The Oklahoma Public Employees Retirement System is governed by Oklahoma law. Grady County's responsibility is to enroll eligible employees in OPERS, report eligible compensation and service, and remit required retirement contributions.
Grady County does not determine retirement eligibility, calculate retirement benefits, approve or deny retirement requests, or administer retirement benefits. Those responsibilities belong exclusively to OPERS.
Employees are responsible for initiating their own retirement or withdrawal process with OPERS. Employees who believe they are eligible for retirement or who wish to withdraw their contributions should contact OPERS directly to obtain information regarding their eligibility, available options, required documentation, and the process for submitting an application. Grady County may provide employment, compensation, and service information to OPERS as required, but the employee is responsible for submitting the appropriate retirement or withdrawal request to OPERS.
If an employee meets the statutory age and service requirements established by Oklahoma law, Grady County cannot deny, delay, or prevent that employee's retirement. Likewise, Grady County cannot withhold or confiscate an employee's vested OPERS retirement contributions or benefits. All eligibility determinations and retirement benefit decisions are made exclusively by OPERS in accordance with Oklahoma law.
Retirement Eligibility and Benefit Options
Eligible Grady County employees may qualify for withdrawal of contributions, early retirement, regular (normal) retirement, or disability retirement based on their age, years of credited service, membership date, and other statutory requirements.
An employee does not have to remain employed with Grady County until retirement to retain an earned OPERS retirement benefit. If an employee becomes vested and leaves employment before reaching retirement eligibility, they may leave their contributions with OPERS and later apply for retirement once they meet the applicable age and service requirements.
How employment ends—whether through resignation, termination, retirement, or another separation—does not, by itself, determine whether an employee retains vested OPERS retirement rights. OPERS determines retirement eligibility and benefit amounts in accordance with Oklahoma law.
Withdrawal of Contributions
Employees who separate from county employment may request a withdrawal of their employee contributions. The employee is responsible for initiating the withdrawal process with OPERS.
• No minimum age requirement.
• No minimum years of service required.
• Members with 8 or more years of credited service are generally vested and should carefully consider the long-term impact of withdrawing contributions, as doing so permanently forfeits future retirement benefits associated with those service credits.
Early Retirement
Members who joined OPERS before November 1, 2011:
• Age 55 with 10 years of participating service.
Members who joined OPERS on or after November 1, 2011:
• Age 60 with 10 years of participating service.
Early retirement benefits are permanently reduced.
Regular (Normal) Retirement
Members who joined OPERS before November 1, 2011:
• Age 62 with 6 years of full-time-equivalent service; or
• Rule of 80 (for members who joined before July 1, 1992); or
• Rule of 90 (for members who joined after June 30, 1992).
Members who joined OPERS on or after November 1, 2011:
• Age 65 with 6 years of full-time-equivalent service; or
• Age 60 with Rule of 90.
Disability Retirement
Employees may qualify for disability retirement if they:
• Have at least 8 years of participating service, including 6 years of full-time-equivalent service.
• Meet all statutory eligibility requirements established by OPERS.
Employees with questions regarding retirement eligibility, retirement estimates, disability retirement, or withdrawal of contributions should contact OPERS directly or visit www.opers.ok.gov.
