DRS Notice 24-004, Elected or Governor-Appointed Officials: Membership Enrollment and Reporting Requirements

Notice No: 24-004
Date: February 22, 2024
Applies to: All Employers
Subject: DRS Notice 24-004, Elected or Governor-Appointed Officials: Membership Enrollment and Reporting Requirements

Do not automatically enroll an elected official into a Department of Retirement Systems (DRS) plan.*

Please direct newly elected or governor-appointed officials to the Elected or Governor-Appointed Official webpage on the DRS website (under the Planstab).  The page is designed to guide them through the requirements for membership enrollment, and it will give them access to the membership application form. Whether they are enrolling or opting out of membership, they must first complete the form and send it to DRS.

After DRS review, we will tell you the specific type code to use and when you may start reporting retirement data for an elected or governor-appointed official. You can also find the type codes here.

However, if the elected or governor-appointed official is a retiree of a DRS plan, please ensure that you report them to DRS as instructed in the Retiree Returning to Work charts.

*Note: Elected sheriffs who meet the definition of a Law Enforcement Officers’ and Fire Fighters’ Retirement System (LEOFF) member, as defined in WAC 415-104-225, are mandated into LEOFF membership. Elected sheriffs who meet this definition should be reported in LEOFF.

Questions?

If you have any questions regarding this DRS Notice, please contact Employer Support Services at 360-664-7200, option 2, or 800-547-6657, option 6, option 2, or email us.