Category Archives: Podcast

Thousands of DRS customers log in every day to manage their retirement, so keeping those accounts secure matters. We’re joined by Michael from our Contact Center to walk through recent online security updates including removing email as an MFA option and adding the ability to use authenticator apps. He shares simple steps you can take…

Want to save more for retirement in 2026? In this episode, we break down the new Deferred Compensation Program (DCP) limits: $24,500 annually, or $32,500 if you’re age 50+ and even more if you’re within 3 years of retirement. Find out how pretax and Roth contributions work together – what counts toward the limit and…

What if one conversation could change your financial future? In this episode, we talk with Anthony, a Yakima School District leader whose passion for retirement education stems from his family history and years in labor advocacy. He shares how his path from delivery driver to union rep to HR leader shapes his mission to help…

Every two years, contribution rates for Washington’s retirement plans change and that can raise questions. When a relative asked Amber why employer rates went down, she realized it’s just as important to understand decreases as increases. In this episode, we unpack how these rates are set, why they fluctuate, and how you can feel confident…

If you have a DCP or Plan 3 investment account, you’re required by the IRS to withdraw a minimum distribution (RMD) from your pretax balance when you reach age 73. We take a look at how the amount you’re required to withdraw is calculated. We also look at special cases like inherited accounts and exceptions…

There are a lot of reasons people choose to convert money within their DCP account from pretax to the Roth option. We discuss the process of how this is done as well as the pros and cons, including timing and tax rules.   Episode transcript: [music intro] Jenny Welcome back to Fund your Future with…

Sometimes people get overwhelmed trying to find the “right” financial advice. But for a simple and effective method, look no further than “The Simple Path to Wealth” by JL Collins. His three core rules – spend less than you earn, invest the extra in low-cost index funds, and avoid debt – have become a strong…

Episode transcript: [music intro] Jenny Welcome back to Fund Your Future with DRS. Well, we’ve previously talked with State Actuary, Matt Smith about how pension plans are funded in Washington. And today we’re excited to have him back on the podcast to kind of walk through a simple example of how to measure the health…

Episode transcript: [music intro] Jenny Welcome back to Fund Your Future with DRS. Today we’re diving into, a pretty popular topic around here, which is early retirement, and we get a lot of questions about this. Seems like all of the articles and podcast episodes that we put out are everyone wants to know how…

The term micro-retirement is becoming popular with people of all ages. The idea involves stepping away from the workforce for an extended period to pursue passions, travel, recharge, or learn new skills, essentially hitting the reset button on life. We look at perspectives and planning strategies to help you make micro-retirement a viable, enriching option.…