Effective July 1, 2011, legislation changed the retirement eligibility rules for higher education employees hired into HERP-eligible positions. The following table is provided to help higher education employers make eligibility determinations for new employees. New employees are eligible for a one-time System Choice at each institution (all Community and Technical Colleges are considered one institution). Once a choice has been made, it is irrevocable for that institution. Please contact DRS if you have additional questions about eligibility determinations.
| Higher Education Non-Faculty Positions | Employee’s History | HERP or DRS Plan? |
|---|---|---|
| New to HERP-Eligible Employment July 1, 2011 and after | No DRS plan history | • 30-day choice between PERS Plan 3 or HERP • Choice is permanent |
| PERS Plan 1, 2 or 3 active or withdrawn and not eligible for a full retirement benefit | • HERP or previous PERS Plan1 | |
| PERS Plan 1, 2 or 3 and eligible for a full retirement benefit | • CANNOT participate in HERP • Previous PERS Plan ONLY |
|
| TRS Plan 1 active and not eligible for a full retirement benefit | • HERP or TRS Plan 11 | |
| All other DRS plans2, active or withdrawn and not eligible for a full retirement benefit | • 30-day choice between PERS Plan 3 or HERP • Choice is permanent |
|
| Other DRS plans2 and eligible for a full retirement benefit (with more than 15 years of service) | • CANNOT participate in HERP • Estopped3 from PERS 3 |
|
| All other DRS plans2 and eligible for a full retirement benefit (with less than 15 years of service) | • CANNOT participate in HERP • PERS Plan 3 ONLY |
|
| DRS retiree | • CANNOT participate in HERP • Hourly limits apply (see Chapter 5) |
|
| Made HERP/Plan 3 Choice July 1, 2011 and after | Chose or defaulted to HERP | • HERP ONLY if the irrevocable choice was made at your institution • If a choice has not been made at your institution, 30-day choice between HERP and PERS Plan 3 |
| Chose PERS Plan 3 | • PERS Plan 3 ONLY | |
| Chose TRS Plan 3 | • 30-day choice between PERS Plan 3 or HERP | |
| Had Previous HERP-Eligible Employment Before July 1, 2011 | HERP participant | • HERP ONLY |
| Did not participate in HERP (with DRS history) | • Rules under the “New to HERP-Eligible Employment” section apply (except employee CANNOT be given a 30-day choice between Plan 3 or HERP) |
1 If institution allows, and DRS rules permit.
2 LEOFF retirees and LEOFF members eligible to retire have additional options, please contact DRS.
3 Estoppel rules do not apply if membership was established prior to March 19, 1976.
ESS HiEdNF 08/22