Retired Archives

One teacher’s fulfilling solution

If you retired today, would you volunteer to work for free at the same place? Meet Cornelius Lopez. Cornelius is retired from Teachers’ Retirement System Plan 1. He taught math for 60 years; Forty-eight of those years were at McMurray Middle School on Vashon Island. After his retirement in June 2023, he began volunteering at…

New benefits for some retirees, including return to work rules

New legislation allows more flexibility in the number of hours some retirees can work for the public sector. Also, retirees who chose the 3% ERF option will receive an increase to their monthly benefit. More return to work hours Nursing positions Effective April 14, 2023 — July 1, 2026 If you retired under PERS or…

1099-R tax form available online January 24

Looking for your 1099-R form for tax purposes? Beginning January 24, you can access it by signing in to your retirement account and then selecting the 1099-R link from the main menu. From there you can view it or print a copy. Hard copies of the form will be mailed by the end of January.…

Release date for 2024 COLA amounts

The 2024 COLA percentages effective July 1 for most plans have not been released. DRS will update the COLA information page when the information becomes available in 2024 (usually sometime in March). You can review the current COLA adjustments that came out in 2023 on the COLA information page.

Notice to DRS Members and Retirees – Public Records Request

The Department of Retirement Systems (DRS) has received a public records request from The Seattle Times that seeks information about all members of the state’s retirement systems, including all retirees and members, for the period of July 1, 2021, to June 30, 2023. DRS has received a copy of the requestor’s Declaration of Non-Commercial Purpose…

Retirees may continue CFD donations

Like pumpkins, cooler days and football, the state’s Combined Fund Drive – CFD – campaign returns each fall. If you’re retired or are planning to retire soon, keep in mind that you may continue – or begin – to donate to CFD after you retire. “The biggest thing we want our retirees to know is that our…

Change of address fraud on the rise

Learn how to fight this type of fraud.

HCA re-enrolls certain retirees denied ongoing health care benefits

If you were denied ongoing medical and dental benefits when you retired, you can contact the Health Care Authority and find out if you qualify for re-enrollment. To review the new law, see the HCA website. If you have questions, call HCA at 360-724-0440. The HCA administers health care benefits for Washington public employees.