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• LEOFF Member Handbook Plan 1
• Summary of benefits
• Highlights
• Am I a member of the plan?
• How is my service counted?
• What is my service retirement benefit?
• Who pays for my benefits?
• What benefits do my survivors receive?
• Can my benefit increase after I retire?
• What are my medical benefits?
• What if I become disabled?
• What if I leave my LEOFF position?
• What if I return to work after I retire?
• When should I start planning for retirement?
• Why does DRS need my Social Security Number?
• Taxation and assignment of benefits
• Administrative information
• Contacting DRS
• PDF version of handbook

Administrative information

Administration of the program

The Law Enforcement Officers’ and Fire Fighters’ Retirement System is administered by DRS. The director of DRS is appointed by the governor.

Other DRS-administered retirement systems

• – Teachers’ Retirement System
• – School Employees’ Retirement System
• – Public Employees’ Retirement System
• – Washington State Patrol Retirement System
• – Judicial Retirement System
• – Judges’ Retirement Fund
• – Public Safety Employees' Retirement System (effective July 1, 2006)

Payment of retirement benefits

Your retirement accrues from the day after you terminate employment or from the day after you reach age 50, if you are vested but not in service. Your benefit is paid at the end of each month and, in most cases, can be deposited directly in your bank or credit union account.

Benefit adjustments

If you receive an overpayment of your retirement benefit or withdrawal, DRS will require that the overpayment be repaid. If there is an underpayment, DRS will correct the error and pay you in full.

Petitions and appeals

If your appeal pertains to a disability see disability benefits. In all other cases, under DRS internal review procedures, “appeals” begin as “petitions.” You may challenge a decision of a DRS administrator by filing a petition within 120 days of your receipt of the decision. A petition will be reviewed by the DRS Petitions Examiner.

To file a petition, complete and submit a detailed statement that includes:

• The relief you are requesting;
• The facts relating to your petition, including any relevant documents or sworn statements which support your request for relief;
• The legal basis for your petition, including any relevant legal provisions or precedents;
• The name and address of your legal counsel, if you choose to be represented; and
• Your name, address, Social Security Number, and signature.

The Petitions Examiner will ask for relevant information from the involved parties. Usually, this means you, DRS, and possibly your employer. After review, the Petitions Examiner will enter a written decision and mail that decision to you by certified mail.

If you are not satisfied with the petition decision, you may file an appeal within 60 days of receipt of the decision. Included with your petition decision will be information describing how to file an appeal. An appeal will be heard by either DRS’ Presiding Officer or an administrative law judge.