Public employees in Washington State can take comfort in the security of their retirement funds. Our state pension system, administered through the Department of Retirement Systems, is 96% funded. This places us among the top 5 pension systems in the nation. The Office of the State Actuary calculates this funding status yearly. Washington is a…
Category Archives: News
1099-R tax form available by Jan. 31
Looking for your 1099-R form for tax purposes? By Jan. 31, you can access it by signing in to your retirement account and then selecting the 1099-R link from the main menu. From there you can view it or print a copy. Hard copies of the form will be mailed by the end of January. For Plan…
Pension payment schedule for 2025
Mark your calendar – the new schedule is here! DRS issues pension payments on the last business day of each month. Please note: the date you receive your payment will depend on your financial institution. 2025 pension payment schedule Jan 31 Feb 28 Mar 31 Apr 30 May 30 Jun 30 Jul…
Release date for 2025 COLA amounts
The 2025 COLA percentages effective July 1 for most plans have not been released. DRS will update the COLA information page when the information becomes available in 2025 (usually sometime in March). Review the current 2024 COLA adjustments on the COLA information page.
More DCP savings in 2025
The IRS limits have increased for retirement savings programs like Washington’s Deferred Compensation Program (DCP). Beginning Jan. 1, 2025, you can contribute up to $23,500 per year. If you’re 50 or older, you can contribute up to $31,000 per year. These limits apply to DCP Roth and pretax contributions. That means whether you contribute to…
Updates to DCP and Plan 3 Retirement Strategy Funds
A new Retirement Strategy Fund (RSF) is coming to the lineup of investment options in Plan 3 and the Deferred Compensation Program (DCP). The most recent addition – the 2070 Retirement Strategy Fund – will be available beginning Jan. 6, 2025. The newest fund is designed for those born in 2003 or later. Meanwhile, the…
The ins and outs of retirement service credits
We’re often asked to explain what service credit is and how it works. Customers want to know about topics related to service credit, such as portability (also known as reciprocity), dual membership and out-of-state credit. Here’s a rundown along with some links to helpful resources. Retirement service credit basics Service credits are the units used…
Required minimum distributions begin at 73
Do you have DCP or Plan 3? If so, keep in mind that if you are separated from employment, federal law requires you to withdraw a minimum amount from your investment account when you reach age 73. The DRS record keeper, Voya, calculates this Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) and pays this amount to you automatically…
Retirees may continue CFD donations
If you’re retired or are planning to retire soon, you can continue donating to the state’s Combined Fund Drive (CFD) after you retire. CFD is an “opt out” program. In other words, if you are currently donating, then retire, your donations continue into retirement until you elect to make changes. You can also begin making…
Is it a bear or a bull?
Understanding the market’s animal-like behavior You’ve most likely heard the words “bear” and “bull” when the topic of the stock market comes up. But what do they mean when applied to investing and saving for retirement? These symbolic animals, known for their strength and stubbornness, are used to represent market volatility; bear markets fall, and…
