This handbook describes your retirement benefits under the Washington State Judicial Retirement System (JRS). The Plan is designed to be an important source of income that- along with Social Security benefits, personal savings and other investments- will help pay your living expenses when you retire.
Here is a brief summary of the Plan’s provisions. The Plan provides for:
You and the State both contribute toward your future retirement benefits. Your contributions are not refundable.
If you were once a member of the Washington State Public Employees’ Retirement System (PERS), you may be eligible for JRS service credit for some or all of your PERS service.
If you were a former member of JRS, but not serving as a judge on July 1, 1988, and you have since returned to judicial service, the Office of the Administrator for the Courts (OAC) will have you complete an Enrollment Form. This form provides the information needed to protect your contributions and your beneficiary’s rights in case you die before retirement.