DRS Notice 24-012, LEOFF Membership Expanded to Include Less Than Full-Time Law Enforcement Officers as of July 1, 2024

DRS Notice 24-012
Date: May 31, 2024
Applies to: LEOFF Employers Who Employ Law Enforcement Officers
Subject: DRS Notice 24-012, LEOFF Membership Expanded to Include Less Than Full-Time Law Enforcement Officers as of July 1, 2024

Beginning July 1, 2024, less than full-time, fully commissioned, fully compensated law enforcement officers are included in Law Enforcement Officers’ and Fire Fighters’ Retirement System (LEOFF) membership per ESSB 5424.

The change in the LEOFF eligibility rules may impact current and future employees of your organization:

• Full-time and part-time officers working for the same law enforcement agency who are covered by a collective bargaining agreement must be in the same bargaining unit.
  
• Existing or newly hired employees working as a less than full-time, fully commissioned, fully compensated law enforcement officer will be mandated into LEOFF membership as of July 1, 2024.
  
• If you currently employ a LEOFF retiree as a less than full-time, fully commissioned law enforcement officer, the retiree must rejoin LEOFF as an active member effective July 1, 2024; and will cease to receive their LEOFF pension until they separate employment as a law enforcement officer and re-retire. Please contact DRS for assistance if you have this situation.
  

This change does not impact reserve officers, who generally are volunteers.

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.