Am I eligible for health insurance?

When should I start planning for retirement?

Planning for retirement is an ongoing process. The sooner you start, the more likely you are to enjoy a comfortable and successful retirement. Here are simple things you can do to help build your retirement plan:

As soon as possible, attend one of DRS’ Retirement Planning Seminars. These full-day sessions feature qualified speakers on a number of retirement subjects and are free of charge. The dates and locations for these seminars are announced in the member newsletter, Retirement Outlook.
If you have non-interruptive military service, submit a copy of your DD214 to DRS to determine if your active service is creditable. See Military service.
Because there are statutory time limits on restoring contributions withdrawn from your retirement plan, read the DRS publication WSPRS Recovery of Withdrawn or Optional Service Credit and review the rules that apply to your situation.

As you get closer to retirement

Consider the following:

Contact the Social Security office periodically to review your file’s accuracy. The toll-free telephone number for Social Security information is 1-800-772-1213. You can also obtain valuable information about Social Security and Medicare by visiting the Social Security Web Site.
Obtain a copy of IRS Publication 575, Pensions and Annuities, available on the IRS Web site.
If you are within a year of your retirement date, request an estimate of your benefit from DRS. You will be sent a retirement application with your estimate.

Applying for retirement

You can complete the entire retirement process through the mail. Contact DRS for more information. If you prefer to visit DRS to review your account information and retirement options, Retirement Services Analysts are available to assist you. Please call for an appointment.

If you write to DRS for specific information about your pension account, be sure to provide your Social Security Number and signature.

Administrative information

Payment of retirement benefits

If you are eligible to retire when you leave the State Patrol, your retirement benefit accrues from the day following your separation from 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

Under DRS’ internal review procedures, all “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 DRS’ Petition Examiner.

To file a petition, submit a detailed statement of:

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 Petition Examiner will ask for relevant information from the involved parties. Usually, this means you, DRS, and possibly your employer. After review, the Petition 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.