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…
Tag Archives: New Hire
What to do when you’re brand new
Did you know that you started earning a pension benefit when you were hired into public service in Washington state? If you didn’t know until just now, we understand. A new job can be overwhelming – loads of information is served up to you all at once. You may have overlooked, or not had time…
Episode 70 – How to plan for a micro-retirement
Episode transcript: [music intro] Jenny Welcome back to Fund Your Future with DRS. Today we’re diving into a fascinating concept that’s changing the way that people kind of approach retirement with this idea of a micro retirement. It’s kind of like a short, planned break in your career rather than waiting until traditional retirement age…
Episode 69 – What is a record keeper?
Episode transcript: [music intro] Jenny Welcome back to Fund Your Future with DRS. Well, if you’ve ever gotten an email or read a news story from us about DCP or Plan 3, chances are you’ve seen the name Voya Financial in the last couple of years. They are our current record keeper, but you might…
How to make your plan choice
If you’re a new public employee, school employee or teacher, you have 90 days to choose between two retirement plans: Plan 2 or Plan 3. The decision you make is permanent, but don’t worry; we have the resources you need to help you select which plan is right for you. Choose a plan – See…
Do you have unclaimed funds?
Unclaimed funds are money or assets that are owed to you that you didn’t collect or that didn’t get refunded to you. Retirement contributions If you’re a former a public employee but didn’t become vested, you may have money remaining in your retirement account. Use the DRS inactive accounts search tool. If you’re still employed…
Episode 68 – Understanding COLAs and the CPI connection
Episode transcript: [music intro] Jenny Welcome back to Fund Your Future with DRS. Today we’re talking about everyone’s favorite subject COLAs, which stands for Cost of Living Adjustment. So basically at the end of each July, most retirees receive a Cost of Living Adjustment on their pension and the COLA can increase up to 3%…
Member contribution rates approved
Member contribution rates have been approved by the legislature and signed by the governor for the 2025-2027 biennium. Rates for most plans are effective on July 1, 2025. Rates for TRS and SERS will go into effect on Sept. 1, 2025. 2025-2027 member contribution rates Member and employer contribution rates for Washington’s retirement systems are…
Episode 67 – Why the rule of 72 feels like magic (but isn’t)
Episode transcript: [music intro] Jenny Welcome back to Find Your Future with DRS. Today, we’re breaking down the rule of 72. This is kind of a thing I hear a lot of finance folks talk about, but it’s basically just a quick way to estimate how long it can take your money to double when…
Episode 66 – DCP withdrawals, rollovers, and RMDs
Episode transcript: [music intro] Jenny Welcome back to Fund Your Future with DRS. Well, we’ve talked a lot about DCP and putting your money in and why you should put money in. But we really wanted to talk today about when the time comes that you’re ready to take the money out of DCP and…
