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Home→Agencies→Public Pensions→Washington

State Public Pensions in Washington

The Washington Department of Retirement Systems runs the state's public retirement plans — PERS, TRS, SERS, LEOFF, WSPRS, PSERS, and the closed judicial plans — for state and local government workers, teachers, law enforcement officers, and fire fighters. Survivor and death benefits depend on whether the member was active or retired and the payment option they elected at retirement.

OverviewWhen someone dies

Public Pensions

Washington

drs.wa.gov/life/death→

Administering agency

Washington Department of Retirement Systems (DRS)

Phone360-664-7081 (Option 1)
WebsiteVisit website →
Verified Jul 2026

State Public Pensions in Washington: key facts

Systems
PERS, TRS, SERS, LEOFF, WSPRS, PSERS, and the closed judicial plans (JRS, JRF, and the Judicial Retirement Account), plus the Deferred Compensation Program (DCP).
Death of a retiree
The continuing benefit depends on the option the member elected at retirement: Option 2 (100% Survivor), Option 4 (66.67% Survivor), or Option 3 (50% Survivor). Under Option 1 (Single Life) there is no continuing survivor benefit; the named beneficiaries receive a lump-sum payment of any remaining account balance.
Pre-retirement death
The member's contribution balance plus interest is paid to the named beneficiaries. If the member worked at least ten years, or reached vested status in Plan 3, a surviving spouse or partner may instead have the option to inherit the account as monthly pension payments.
Report a death
Online at drs.wa.gov/reportadeath; by phone at 360-664-7081, Option 1; or by email to drs.moddnd@drs.wa.gov — DRS asks that email include only the last 4 digits of the deceased's SSN.

When someone dies

Steps after a death in Washington

5-step process for Washington Department of Retirement Systems (DRS).

View details →
SimplyTrustSimplyTrust Editorial·Updated July 14, 2026

Sources

  • drs.wa.gov

Data sourced from State Public Pensions in Washington primary sources (4 pages reviewed). How we research.

Public Pensions

Washington

drs.wa.gov/life/death→

Administering agency

Washington Department of Retirement Systems (DRS)

Phone360-664-7081 (Option 1)
WebsiteVisit website →
Verified Jul 2026
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