Notice to Retirees – Public Records Request

The Department of Retirement Systems has received a public records request from Erin Raasch of American Transparency for the following information about members who received monthly payments in 2023:

• Full Name
• Retirement Date
• Employer Name
• Monthly Pension Amount

Per Washington’s Public Records Act, these records are not exempt from disclosure, so DRS must share this information with the requester. DRS will provide the information on May 10, 2024.

If you are the subject of a public records request, no action is required of you. If you want additional information or have questions about a request, please contact DRS at 844-704-6780 or drs.pdrnotice@drs.wa.gov.

Can a court prevent this information from being released?

DRS is often asked if individuals who are the subject of a records request can seek an injunction to prevent the release of their records.

Under RCW 42.56.540, an individual may seek an injunction in the superior court for the county where they reside, or in Thurston County Superior Court, if the release of records “would clearly not be in the public interest and would substantially and irreparably damage any person, or would substantially and irreparably damage vital government functions.”

To prevent the release of records in the current requests, DRS would need to be served with an injunction by close of business on May 9, 2024.

Whether to seek an injunction is a decision that must be made by each individual. State agencies cannot provide advice on this matter. Individuals should be aware that the superior courts may charge certain fees or costs for an injunction; they may want to obtain the advice of private counsel before deciding whether to pursue an injunction.