Category Archives: Employer

Applies to: All employersSubject: DRS Notice 25-003, Elected or Governor-Appointed Officials: Membership Enrollment and Reporting Requirements Do not automatically enroll an elected official into a Department of Retirement Systems (DRS) plan.* Please direct newly elected or governor-appointed officials to the Elected or Appointed Official webpage. The page is designed to guide them through the requirements…

DRS Notice: 25-002Date: 01/06/2025Applies to: All EmployersSubject: DRS Notice 25-002, DRS Publications Updated with New Fund Options for DCP and Plan 3 Some investment fund options have been updated for DCP and Plan 3 customers. Here are some actions you can take: Please recycle all paper DCP enrollment forms from November 2024 and earlier—some of…

DRS Notice: 25-001Date: 01/03/2025Applies to: All EmployersSubject: DRS Notice 25-001, Plan 3 January Transfer Opportunity A quick reminder that your eligible Plan 2 members have the opportunity each January to transfer to Plan 3. They must sign, date and turn in the Member Transfer Form to you by Jan. 31. You can access a list of your…

Applies to: LEOFF Plan 2 employersSubject: DRS Notice 24-030, LEOFF Plan 2 employers will be invoiced for pension overpayments A new law will change how LEOFF Plan 2 employers are affected when a pension benefit overpayment is made to a LEOFF Plan 2 retiree. Beginning Jan. 1, 2025, employers will be responsible for those overpayments…

DRS Notice: 24-029Date: 11/21/2024Applies to: All EmployersSubject: DRS Notice 24-029, Compliance Review common findings The DRS Compliance Team has been busy conducting compliance reviews throughout the state. We would like to share with you the common themes/issues that the team is seeing. Retirement Status is not being verified for all new hires RCW 41.50.139 requires…

DRS Notice: 24-028Date: 11/15/24Applies to: DCP EmployersSubject: DRS Notice 24-028, Annual Limits for DCP Reminder Some of your employees may be approaching the annual limit for DCP contributions in 2024. Please review your prior DCP Report for this warning message:  “Employee’s deferral total is nearing the IRS yearly maximum {amount given}” and ensure you do…

DRS Notice 24-027Date: 11/14/2024Applies to: Cities, Counties, and Political SubdivisionsSubject: DRS Notice 24-027, Holiday Leave Banks This notice is provided to clarify the rules for reporting data to DRS regarding holiday leave banks. Certain employees whose duties entail providing essential or emergency services (such as firefighters, police officers, correctional officers, 911 dispatchers, etc.) are often…

DRS Notice: 24-026Date: 10/29/24Applies to: All EmployersDRS Notice 24-026, Options to Report Member Death The employer death reporting form has been revised to allow anyone to report a death to DRS. Now there is a convenient online reporting option in addition to the mail-in form. Employers can also continue to submit the paper form through…

Date: 10/24/24Email: 24-025Applies to: All Employers except WSPRSSubject: DRS Notice 24-025, Employer Reporting Related to Workers’ Compensation/Temporary Duty Disability Workers’ compensation, also known as temporary duty disability (TDD), can be a complex payroll issue. This notice provides information on reporting data to DRS for members in TDD status. Some employers may allow employees to: There…

Date: October 15, 2024Notice: 24-024To: School Districts, Charter Schools, Tribal Schools, Educational Service DistrictsSubject: DRS Notice 24-024, Purchasing service credit working as a substitute We would like to get the word out to your substitute teachers and classified substitutes about their opportunity to purchase service credit. Please share this information with your employees who work…