DRS Notice 24-003, FAQ Update for Telecommunicators Into Public Safety Officers’ Retirement System (PSERS) Plan 2 Legislation

DRS Notice 24-003
Date: February 5, 2024
Applies to: All PERS Employers
Subject: DRS Notice 24-003, FAQ Update for Telecommunicators Legislation: Public Safety Officers’ Retirement System (PSERS) Plan 2 Legislation

We’ve updated the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document that is linked to DRS Notice 24-002 and was posted on Jan. 24, 2024: Some PERS Public Safety Telecommunicators Eligible for PSERS Plan 2 beginning June 1, 2024. A new version of the FAQ is here.

What changed?

We corrected two answers in the FAQ as they relate to the PERS/PSERS transition option and changing employers. The corrected answers are:

10. What happens if the PERS Plan 2 or 3 member doesn’t transfer or doesn’t want to transfer?

Those who do not choose to transfer during the election period window, or those who miss the election period window, will remain in PERS Plan 2 or 3. However, if they change employers, and the new position is a PSERS position, they will become PSERS Plan 2 members.

11. If the employee selects a transfer to PSERS during the 2024 election period, will they remain in PSERS as long as they remain employed with their current employer?

Yes, as long as the employee is working in a PSERS-eligible position for their current employer, they will remain in PSERS. However, if they move to a new position that is not PSERS eligible, the employee will be mandated into the retirement system for that new position.

We also added a new question and answer after 11:

12. If the PERS Plan 2 or 3 member doesn’t transfer or doesn’t want to transfer, can they become PSERS members later?

Not as long as the employee remains employed with their current employer. They will remain in PERS if they didn’t select PSERS during the 2024 election period. If the member goes to a LEOFF position for the same employer, they will be in LEOFF. Moving back to a PSERS-eligible position for the same employer would return them to PERS membership. If the member accepts a PSERS position with another employer, the member is mandated into PSERS.

See the complete and updated FAQ here.

For details about the new legislation see DRS Notice 24-002.

Note: Please let us know if you have employees who meet the new eligibility requirements by emailing us at drs.employersupport@drs.wa.gov.

We will provide information in upcoming employer notices, and you are strongly encouraged to share it with your qualified employees. At the end of March, you will receive:

• A welcome letter for your qualified employees with details about how the new law affects them and what their window is for electing to join PSERS
• A PSERS election form that your qualified employees will fill out and that you will keep and use to report them in ERA

In May, we will send you a reminder letter for your qualified employees about the election window.
If you have questions about this notice, please contact Employer Support Services at 360-664-7200, option 2, or 800-547-6657, option 6, option 2. This will help us identify employers who may have system updates to make before these changes are implemented in June.