DRS Plans

Which plan am I in?

The fastest way to find your retirement plan is to log into your account. On the welcome screen, your plan name and number are under “Your retirement plan(s).”

All DRS retirement pension plans are 401(a) plans. This is a type of retirement plan made available to those working in government agencies, educational institutions, and non-profit organizations.

If you are a new PERS, SERS or TRS employee, choose a plan.


Plan Definitions

Deferred Compensation Program (DCP)

A supplemental retirement savings program offered by Washington state. DCP is a pretax 457(b) program. See more about DCP.


Public Employees’ Retirement System (PERS)

Members of the Public Employees’ Retirement System are typically employed by the state or by a county, city, town, public utility district or local government entity.

PERS Plan 1

A pension plan for public employees hired before Oct. 1, 1977. 

PERS Plan 2

A pension plan for public employees who established membership as:

State employees:

  • on or after October 1, 1977 and before March 1, 2002, unless transferred to Plan 3; or
  • on or after March 1, 2002 and chose Plan 2.

Local government employees:

  • on or after October 1, 1977 and before September 1, 2002, and have not transferred to Plan 3; or
  • on or after September 1, 2002 and chose Plan 2.

As of July 1, 2020, Plan 2 is the default plan for PERS members who do not select a plan in their first 90 days of employment.

PERS Plan 3

A pension and investment plan for public employees who established membership as:

State employees:

  • in Plan 2 on or after October 1, 1977 and before March 1, 2002 and transferred to Plan 3; or
  • on or after March 1, 2002 and chose Plan 3.

Local government employees:

  • on or after October 1, 1977 and before September 1, 2002 and transferred to Plan 3; or
  • on or after September 1, 2002 and chose Plan 3.

On and before June 30, 2020, Plan 3 was the default plan for PERS members who did not select a plan in their first 90 days of employment.


Teachers’ Retirement System (TRS)

TRS Plan 1

A pension plan for teachers hired before Oct. 1, 1977.

TRS Plan 2

A pension plan for teachers who established membership:

  • on or after October 1, 1977, unless transferred to Plan 3; or
  • on or after July 1, 2007, and chose Plan 2.

TRS Plan 3

As of June 30, 2020, Plan 2 is the default plan for TRS members who do not select a plan in their first 90 days of employment.

A pension and investment plan for teachers who established membership:

  • in Plan 2 and chose to transfer to Plan 3; or
  • on or after July 1, 1996, and before July 1, 2007; or
  • on or after July 1, 2007, and chose Plan 3.

On and before June 30, 2020, Plan 3 was the default plan for TRS members who did not select a plan in their first 90 days of employment.


School Employees’ Retirement System (SERS)

A pension plan for school employees.

SERS Plan 2

You are a Plan 2 member if you were first hired into a SERS-eligible position with:

Past PERS Plan 2 service

  • Before July 31, 2009 and you did not transfer to Plan 3. You may have the opportunity to transfer to Plan 3 each January.
  • On or after August 1, 2009 and you chose to be in Plan 2.

No past PERS Plan 2 service

  • On or after July 1, 2007 and you chose to be in Plan 2.

As of July 1, 2020, Plan 2 is the default plan for SERS members who do not select a plan in their first 90 days of employment.

SERS Plan 3

A pension and investment plan for school employees. You are a Plan 3 member if you chose to transfer to Plan 3 or were first hired into a SERS-eligible position on or after:

  • September 1, 2000 and before July 1, 2007; or
  • August 1, 2009 and chose to be in Plan 3.

On and before June 30, 2020, Plan 3 was the default plan for SERS members who did not select a plan in their first 90 days of employment.


Law Enforcement Officers’ and Fire Fighters’ Retirement System (LEOFF)

LEOFF Plan 1

A pension plan for law enforcement officers hired before Oct. 1, 1977. 

LEOFF Plan 2

A pension plan for law enforcement officers who first became members on or after October 1, 1977.


Washington State Patrol Retirement System (WSPRS)

WSPRS Plan 1

A pension plan for WSP employees commissioned before January 1, 2003.

WSPRS Plan 2

A pension plan for WSP employees commissioned on or after January 1, 2003.


Public Safety Employees’ Retirement System (PSERS)

PSERS Plan 2

A pension plan for public safety employees. If you are employed on a full-time basis by one of the following employers and your primary responsibility is covered under RCW 41.37.010(19), you are eligible for PSERS membership.

Washington state agencies

  • Department of Corrections
  • Department of Natural Resources
  • Department of Social and Health Services
  • Department of Veterans Affairs
  • Gambling Commission
  • Liquor and Cannabis Board
  • Parks and Recreation Commission
  • State Patrol

Other employers

  • Any county corrections departments
  • Any city corrections departments not covered under chapter 41.28 RCW
  • Any public corrections entity created under RCW 39.34.030

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