Member Contribution Rates
In Washington, both state and local governments and their employees fund employee retirement benefits. The state Pension Funding Council (PFC) sets contribution rates for the defined benefit systems every two years based on analysis and recommendations from the state actuary and input from the Select Committee on Pension Policy (SCPP). The actuary regularly recommends updates to assumptions so policymakers can adjust contribution rates as needed to fund the retirement benefits earned by members. The legislature has the authority to revise the rates and assumptions adopted by the Pension Funding Council, but is not required to do so.
Below are the member contribution rates for the 2023-25 biennium. For detailed information on both employer and member contribution rates, see the Contribution Rate Tables in the DRS Employer Handbook.
System and Plan | Previous | Effective | Effective |
|---|---|---|---|
Public Employees’ Retirement System (PERS) Plan 2 | 6.36% | 6.36% | — |
Law Enforcement Officers’ and Fire Fighters’ Retirement System (LEOFF) Plan 1 | 0.00% | 0.00% | — |
Law Enforcement Officers’ and Fire Fighters’ Retirement System (LEOFF) Plan 2 | 8.53% | 8.53% | — |
Washington State Patrol Retirement System (WSPRS) Plans 1/2 | 8.61% | 8.61% | 8.74% |
Public Safety Employees’ Retirement System (PSERS) Plan 2 | 6.50% | 6.60% | 6.73% |
Teachers’ Retirement System (TRS) Plan 2 | 8.05% | — | 8.06% |
School Employees’ Retirement System (SERS) Plan 2 | 8.25% | — | 7.76% |
TRS 1 and PERS 1 member contribution rates are fixed in statute at 6% |
JBM Contribution Rates
| PERS Plan | Supreme Court Court of Appeals Superior Court | District Court Municipal Court |
|---|---|---|
| PERS Plan 1 | 9.76% (Plan 1 rate + 3.76%) | 12.26% (Plan 1 rate + 6.26%) |
| PERS Plan 2 | 13.4% (250% x Plan 2 rate – 2.5%) | 15.9% (250% x Plan 2 rate) |
| PERS Plan 3 | At least 7.5% | At least 7.5% |
| TRS Plan 1 | 9.76% (Plan 1 rate + 3.76%) | N/A |
History of Member Contribution Rates, 2013–2021
| Plan | 2013 | 2015 | 2017 | 2019 | 2021 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LEOFF 1 | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| LEOFF 2 | 8.41% | 8.41% | 8.75% | 8.59% | 8.53% |
| PERS 1 | 6% | 6% | 6% | 6% | 6% |
| PERS 2 | 4.92% | 6.12% | 7.38% 7.41%* | 7.90% | 6.36% |
| PSERS 2 | 6.36% | 6.59% | 6.73% 6.74% 7.07% | 7.20% | 6.50% |
| SERS 2 | 4.64% | 5.63% | 7.27% | 8.25% | 8.25% |
| TRS 1 | 6% | 6% | 6% | 6% | 6% |
| TRS 2 | 4.96% | 5.95% | 7.06% | 7.77% | 7.77% |
| WSPRS 1 | 6.59% | 6.84% | 7.34% 7.68%* 7.69%* | 8.45% | 8.61% |
| WSPRS 2 | 6.59% | 6.84% | 7.34% 7.68%* 7.69%* | 8.45% | 8.61% |
* Rate reflects supplemental adjustments
