A power operated retractable stop assembly includes a body, a drive arm, and a stop arm. The drive arm is pivotable between a pre-locked position and an unlocked position. There is a locked position between the pre-locked position and the unlocked position. The stop arm is pivotally mounted to the body, has a front side for engaging a workpiece, and a back side for engaging the drive arm. When the drive arm is driven to the unlocked position, the drive arm and the stop arm interact to cause the stop arm to follow the drive arm and move to a stop arm released position. This precludes the stop arm from balancing at the stop arm locked position.