This handbook explains your rights and benefits under Plan 2 of the Washington state Public Safety Employees’ Retirement System (PSERS). The plan is designed to be an important source of income that, along with Social Security benefits (if you are eligible), personal savings, and other investments, will help provide a guaranteed income stream when you retire.
The 2004 Washington state Legislature created the Public Safety Employees’ Retirement System (PSERS) Plan 2, a retirement plan for certain public employees whose jobs contain a high degree of physical risk to their own personal safety, but who are not eligible for membership in the Law Enforcement Officers’ and Fire Fighters’ Retirement System (LEOFF). Members of the Public Employees’ Retirement System (PERS) Plan 2 or 3, working in PSERS positions on or before July 1, 2006, were able to elect PSERS membership prospectively. This election was made from July 1, 2006 through September 30, 2006 and was irrevocable.
The 2007 Legislature added the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to the list of PSERS employers. DNR members of PERS Plan 2 or 3, were able to elect PSERS membership prospectively if they were working in PSERS-eligible positions on or before July 1, 2007. This election was made from July 1, 2007 through September 30, 2007, and was irrevocable. DNR employees hired into PSERS positions on or after July 22, 2007 are automatically enrolled in PSERS.
Employees electing PSERS membership from PERS Plan 2 or 3 become dual members in both plans. For more information see dual membership.
Those members not choosing PSERS membership will remain in PERS while they continue in their current positions.
Here is a brief summary of the Plan’s provisions.