The Deferred Retirement Option Plan (DROP) was first requested by the Ohio Chief of Police and Ohio Fire Chiefs as a means to retain trained and seasoned employees. This optional benefit allows members who are eligible to retire to stay on duty serving their communities for up to eight years. Although different opinions exist concerning the DROP program it has allowed for retention of firefights and police officers that would have otherwise not been replaced due to budgetary concerns. The program is administered by the Police & Fire Retirement Fund (OP&F). This fund was created in 1965 in an effort to consolidate 454 local public safety pension funds across Ohio. Currently OP&F serves approximately 27,000 active members and more than 30,000 retirees and their beneficiaries. The fund receives monies from active member and their employers and distributes benefits to retirees and other beneficiaries and directed by the Board of Directors.