Last Updated: July 2003
Once you are retired, you have the ability to change your benefit option or beneficiary designation only in certain situations. These options apply to retirees of the following retirement systems and plans:
The rules for changing a benefit option or beneficiary designation are different for retirees of LEOFF Plan 1 and WSPRS Plan 1. Please contact DRS if you have questions about these plans.
There are three situations in which you can remain in retirement status and change your benefit option or designate a new beneficiary. All three situations require some action on your part to take effect.
If you select a benefit option at retirement that guarantees a continuing benefit to your named beneficiary and your beneficiary dies before you, your benefit payment can be increased to the “Standard Option” (single lifetime benefit) payment. For TRS Plan 1, the payment can be increased to the “Maximum Benefit” payment. The change in benefit amount will begin the month following the date of death of your beneficiary. Note: If your designated beneficiary dies, you cannot name a new beneficiary to receive the survivor benefit.
You can request this benefit increase by contacting DRS by phone or by mail and providing a copy of the death certificate. See Contact DRS for address and telephone information.
If you select a benefit option at retirement that guarantees a continuing benefit to a named beneficiary other than your spouse, you can choose to remove this beneficiary. If you do, your benefit payment will increase to the "Standard Option" (single lifetime benefit) payment. For TRS Plan 1 members, your benefit payment will increase to the "Maximum Benefit" payment. Note: If you remove a beneficiary under this rule, you cannot name a new survivor beneficiary.
You can have your non-spousal beneficiary removed by contacting DRS in writing. See Contact DRS for address information. Be sure to include your signature and Social Security number in the letter.
If you select a standard option at retirement that pays a benefit for your lifetime and then you get married after retirement, you have the option to name your new spouse as beneficiary during a designated one-year window. If you change to a survivor option, your monthly benefit will be actuarially reduced to provide for a continuing benefit to your surviving spouse. This option can be used only once and is irrevocable.
Note: This option is not available if your benefit payment has been attached by a court-ordered property division.
You have a one-year window for selecting a new option. The window opens on the day of your first wedding anniversary and closes on the day before your second wedding anniversary.
Contact DRS to obtain an application form. You will need to provide the following information:
DRS will send you the application form along with an estimate of the monthly benefit you will receive after making the change.
If you want to proceed, send a letter to DRS during the one-year window and include the following:
After DRS has received all the items, your change will be processed.
If you select a survivor option for your spouse at retirement and later become divorced or legally separated, a property division order may cancel this designation. For details, please see the publication, How Can a Property Division Affect My Retirement Account?
For information about the rules that apply to retirement from your system and plan, please refer to your Member Handbook which is available from your employer or DRS.
