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 PSERS, you can now return to work up to 1,040 hours as a licensed nurse in a non-administrative position for a state agency or higher education institution while receiving your pension benefit. Find out more.
School positions
Effective March 23, 2022 — July 1, 2025
If you retired under PERS, SERS or TRS, you may be able to return to work up to 1,040 hours at a school district in a non-administrative position while receiving your pension benefit.
Find out more.
Customers who retired using the 2008 ERF
Effective Jan. 1, 2024
If you retired under PERS, SERS or TRS, and chose the 2008 Early Retirement Factor (ERF), you will now have the same return to work hourly limit as other retirees in your plan.
See return to work rules for your plan.
Increase in monthly benefit
Customers who retired using the 3% ERF
Effective Jan. 1, 2024
If you are a PERS, TRS or SERS member who chose the 3% ERF, your retirement benefit will increase.
Earlier this year, the Washington State Legislature passed House Bill 1056. This bill allows those who retired on or after Sept. 1, 2008, and who chose the 3% Early Retirement Factor (ERF) option to receive a revised benefit.
The increase is effective Jan. 1, 2024, and DRS computer systems will be updated in the first half of the year. Until then, retirees will continue to receive their existing benefit payment. Once the system is updated, retirees will receive a payment that will include the additional benefits back to Jan. 1, 2024. All eligible members will receive a letter in the mail with a worksheet to estimate the new pension benefit.
Questions:
Legislative questions: Shawn Merchant, DRS Legislative and Community Relations Director
Shawn.merchant@drs.wa.gov
Account related questions: Contact our retirement specialists.
