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Home→Agencies→Public Pensions→Washington→When someone dies

State Public Pensions in Washington: when someone dies

A 5-step process for Washington Department of Retirement Systems (DRS) after a death in Washington.

OverviewWhen someone dies

Public Pensions

Washington

drs.wa.gov/life-events/death→

Administering agency

Washington Department of Retirement Systems (DRS)

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

Steps to take

  1. Identify the deceased's plan (PERS, TRS, SERS, LEOFF, WSPRS, PSERS, or Judicial) and whether they were active or retired.
  2. Report the death to DRS at 360-664-7081 (Option 1), by secure email to drs.moddnd@drs.wa.gov, or through the online death-reporting form.
  3. Provide the deceased's full name, Social Security number, and date of death; let DRS know if the death may be work-related (LEOFF and PSERS in particular).
  4. For retirees, confirm whether a survivor option was elected so DRS can either continue the survivor benefit or stop monthly payments to avoid an overpayment.
  5. For active or vested members who died before retiring, file the beneficiary or survivor claim with the documents DRS requests; DCP and Plan 3 investment-account balances are handled through the DRS record keeper.

Washington Department of Retirement Systems (DRS)

Phone: 360-664-7081 (Option 1)

Visit the agency website →

Frequently asked questions

Contact the Washington Department of Retirement Systems at 360-664-7081, Option 1, or drs.moddnd@drs.wa.gov. DRS runs PERS, TRS, SERS, LEOFF, WSPRS, PSERS, and the Judicial Retirement Account, and handles survivor and beneficiary claims.

The continuing benefit depends on the option the retiree elected at retirement. A named survivor may receive 100%, 66.67%, or 50% of the member's monthly benefit for life. If the retiree chose the single-life option, no ongoing survivor payment is made, although a named beneficiary may receive any remaining contribution balance.

Yes. The member's contributions plus interest are paid to the named beneficiary. If the member had at least 10 years of service (or vested status in Plan 3), the surviving spouse or partner may elect monthly survivor pension payments in place of the lump sum.

Public Pensions

Washington

drs.wa.gov/life-events/death→

Administering agency

Washington Department of Retirement Systems (DRS)

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