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• PSERS Member Handbook Plan 2
• Summary of benefits
• PSERS Plan 2 highlights
• When should I start planning for retirement?
• Plan 2 membership definition
• Ineligible membership
• What if I’ve previously been a member of another retirement system?
• Who pays for my benefits?
• What is service credit?
• What if I leave my PSERS position?
• When can I retire?
• How do I retire?
• How is my benefit calculated?
• How does retirement before age 60 affect my benefit?
• What are my benefit options?
• What is the purchase additional service credit option?
• What benefits do my survivors receive?
• Designating a beneficiary
• What if I become disabled?
• What if I work after retirement?
• Am I eligible for health insurance coverage after I leave employment?
• Why does DRS need my Social Security number?
• Taxation and assignment of benefits
• Administrative information
• Contacting DRS
• PDF version of handbook

PSERS Plan 2 membership definition

You will be a member of PSERS Plan 2 if:

• You are hired on or after July 1, 2006, by a covered employer or on or after July 22, 2007, if you're hired by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR), are employed on a full-time basis and meet at least one of the PSERS eligibility criteria.
• You were employed on a full-time basis by a covered employer on or before July 1, 2006, or July 1, 2007 for DNR employees, meet at least one of the PSERS eligibility criteria, and elect membership during the applicable election periods.

To be eligible for PSERS, employees must work on a full-time basis and:

• Have completed a certified criminal justice training course with authority to arrest, conduct criminal investigations, enforce the criminal laws of Washington, and carry a firearm as part of the job; OR
• Have primary responsibility to ensure the custody and security of incarcerated or probationary individuals; OR
• Function as a limited authority Washington peace officer, as defined in RCW 10.93.020; OR
• Have primary responsibility to supervise eligible members who meet the above criteria.

A “covered employer” is one that participates in PSERS. Covered employers include:

• State of Washington agencies: Department of Corrections; Parks and Recreation Commission; Gambling Commission; Washington State Patrol; Liquor Control Board, and the Department of Natural Resources.
• Washington state counties.
• Washington state cities, except for Seattle, Tacoma and Spokane.

State elected or governor appointed officials have the option to continue PSERS membership. They must contact DRS to elect membership, even if membership was previously established.

For more information, see the PSERS Plan 2 Rules for State Elected Officials.

Inform your employer of previous DRS-covered membership

It is important you tell your employer if you have any prior membership, even if you withdrew your contributions.