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.
Steps to take when someone dies
State Public Pensions in Washington: key facts
What Washington says3
- Reporting a death
A death can be reported to DRS online at drs.wa.gov/reportadeath, by phone, by email, or by mailing the DRS Notification of Death form.1
DRS asks that a death reported by email include only the last 4 digits of the deceased's SSN.1
- Death before retirement
When a member dies before retiring, the member's contribution balance plus interest is paid to the named beneficiaries.1
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.1
- Death after retirement
The continuing benefit after a retiree's death depends on the option elected at retirement: a named survivor receives 100% (Option 2), 66.67% (Option 4), or 50% (Option 3) of the member's monthly benefit for life.2
Under Option 1 (Single Life) there is no continuing survivor benefit; the named beneficiaries receive a lump-sum payment of any remaining account balance.2
If a retiree's named survivor dies first, the retiree can have the pension changed to the single-life option with no survivor reduction, after reporting the death to DRS. This applies to all DRS plans except LEOFF and WSPRS Plan 1.1
Forms Washington uses1
- Notification of Death
Reporting a death to DRS by mail.3
Retirement systems8
- PERS
- TRS
- SERS
- LEOFF
- WSPRS
- PSERS
- Deferred Compensation Program (DCP)
Washington public pension benefits
Washington Department of Retirement Systems (DRS)
Tools for Planning and Settling an Estate in Washington
Free calculators and checklists for planning or settling an estate in Washington: will and trust costs, probate, executor pay, and inheritance taxes.
How Do I Settle an Estate?
Settling an estate in Washington: the personal representative files the estate inventory within 90 daysRCW 11.44.015; RCW 11.44.025Verified Sep 15, 2026View source of appointment; creditors have 4 monthsRCW 11.40.020, 11.40.040, 11.40.051, 11.40.100, 11.76.110Verified Oct 19, 2026View source to present claims; a simple estate closes in 4 months to 6 months.
Are My Beneficiary Designations Protected?
Washington automatically revokes an ex-spouse as beneficiary at divorceRCW 11.07.010; RCW 11.12.051Verified Sep 15, 2026View source; employer plans under ERISA follow federal rules either way, so a 401(k) beneficiary changes only by a new designation.
Who Inherits Without a Will?
Washington is a community property state, so the surviving spouse already owns half of what the couple acquired during the marriage. Without a will in Washington, descendants divide what passes to them per capita with representationRCW § 11.04.015Verified Sep 10, 2026View source, and an heir must survive the decedent by 120 hoursRCW § 11.05A.020Verified Sep 10, 2026View source to inherit.
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