WSPRS Thinking About Working After Retirement?

Thinking About Working After Retirement?

For members and retirees of the Washington State Patrol Retirement System (WSPRS) Plans 1 and 2

If you are receiving a service or disability retirement benefit from the Washington State Patrol Retirement System (WSPRS), there are some issues that you should consider before returning to the work force. The Department of Retirement Systems (DRS) has prepared this publication to help you find answers to questions such as:

If I go to work, will my retirement benefits stop?
If I go to work for a public employer, will I be required to contribute to a retirement system?

Will my benefits continue if I go to work?

As a WSPRS Plan 1 or Plan 2 service retiree, you will continue to receive retirement benefits, if:

You work for a private employer, or
You work for a public employer that is not covered by any DRS-administered retirement systems, or
You work for an employer covered by a DRS-administered retirement system other than WSPRS, or
You perform work on a consulting basis for a DRS-covered employer, and your employment qualifies as a personal services contract. To be certain that your planned working arrangement with a DRS-covered employer qualifies as a personal services contract, contact DRS.

Your benefits will be suspended if:

You work in an eligible WSPRS commissioned position.

Will I be required to contribute?

As a WSPRS Plan 1 or Plan 2 service retiree, you will be required to become an active member and contribute to a Washington State retirement system, if:

You work in an eligible WSPRS commissioned position, or
You work in an eligible position for an employer covered by a DRS-administered retirement system, and have fewer than 15 years of service credit in WSPRS (if you have 15 or more years of service credit, contact DRS), or
If you serve in an elective office or as an appointee of the Governor, and retired with fewer than 15 years of service credit, you may be eligible to become a member of PERS (if you have 15 or more years of service credit, contact DRS).

Recalculating your benefit

If you return to WSPRS membership, your benefit will be recalculated on the basis of your additional service credit and your final average salary when you retire once again.

When you work for a DRS-covered employer after retirement

You should let your new employer know that you are a retiree. If your new position requires that you become an active member of a DRS-administered retirement system, you may be required to complete a new Enrollment Form. It is your employer's responsibility to deduct the appropriate contributions from your pay, and to forward them to DRS.

DRS must recover any benefit payments that are made in error
If your retirement benefits continue in error – whether due to your own or your employer's oversight – DRS must recover the amount you were overpaid.

To Learn More

For more information about your particular reemployment questions, refer to your WSPRS Plan 1 or Plan 2 Member Handbook which are available from your employer or DRS.

You can also contact DRS.

For information about how working after retirement might affect your Social Security benefits, contact the Social Security Administration.