News and Announcements
Department of Retirement Systems (DRS) Live Webinars!
New! Live retirement webinars for DRS members and DCP participants. See available webinars.
Find out more about your retirement plan and benefits at a time and place that is convenient for you. Webinar topics include:
- Plan 2 or Plan 3 resources and questions about which plan is right for you.
- The fundamentals of your retirement plan: Contributions, benefits, investment selections (Plan 3), retirement requirements and options.
- How DCP can help you save more for retirement
- AND MUCH MORE!
Featured webinars for winter 2021:
- Washington State Deferred Compensation Program (DCP)
- DCP Distributions
- Plan Choice (Plan 2 or Plan 3)
- Plan 2: PERS, TRS, SERS
- Plan 2: LEOFF, WSPRS, PSERS
- Plan 3: PERS, TRS, SERS
- Plan 3 Distributions
- Purchasing an Additional Benefit
- Early Retirement (PERS, SERS, TRS)
- Getting Ready for Retirement
- Applying for Retirement
- Benefit Payment Options at Retirement
- Returning to Work After Retirement
- Nearing Retirement Seminar (webinar version)
Please see the webinar schedule for the link to join the webinar, and to review the full webinar schedule for additional webinars, dates and times. It is recommended that you log into the webinar 10-15 minutes in advance to test connection and sound. Please review how to join a DRS Webinar for tips on accessing the webinar, audio, and sending questions. For login or audio assistance, please call 360.664.7930. Please be aware the audio comes through your computer so you’ll need speakers or a headset. The webinars are not recorded.
Unable to attend a webinar? While the webinars are not recorded, many of the topics are available in the video library by scrolling the video page of the DRS website. If you are a member of one of the following plan 1 systems, you can watch an online video about your plan: Retiring from PERS Plan 1 or Retiring from TRS Plan 1
Important health care information regarding Premium Assistance under Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) and Washington Apple Health for Adults and Children
TIAA Consulting Appointments are Available Virtually or by Phone!
Appointments are available to meet with EWU’s TIAA financial consultant who can help you create a plan or get you started planning for retirement savings. This is a free service to you! Get answers to questions such as:
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- Are my investments a right mix to meet retirement goals?
- Am I saving enough for retirement?
- How will I take income from my account when I stop working?
You can schedule an online appointment with a TIAA Financial Consultant. Just click this link www.tiaa.org/schedulenow choose “Virtual Consultation” then “Washington” and you will be able to see all of the available dates and times. Braden Danielson and Jeremy Houy are the consultants that are intimately familiar with EWU’s plan. Or you can always call 1.800.732.8353 to make an appointment.
These sessions are available to all employees who participate in TIAA as a retirement plan or through the Voluntary Investment Plan.
Continuing eligibility for PEBB benefits during the COVID-19 outbreak
PERS Employees
Click below to watch the informational video, view FAQs, and ask questions.
SmartHealth Wellness
SmartHealth is Washington State's voluntary wellness program that supports you on your journey toward living well. As you progress on your wellness journey, you can also qualify for rewards. Learn more by watching the SmartHealth stories video.
New to SmartHealth? Watch the new SmartHealth How-to Video
Have fun. Earn rewards. Complete the SmartHealth Well-being Assessment to earn a $25 Amazon gift card.
The assessment only takes about 15 minutes, personalizes your SmartHealth experience, and is the first step toward qualifying for the $125 wellness incentive. Learn more about SmartHealth for details.
Medical Flexible Spending Arrangement
Questions and Answers
Are you an employee represented by Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE) who will be making $50,004 a year or less on November 1, 2019?
- If you meet these criteria, you will receive a $250 Medical FSA contribution from your employer in January 2020. This contribution will not come out of your paycheck. You will receive it even if you don't enroll in the Medical FSA for 2020.
- However, if you enroll in a CDHP with an HSA or waive PEBB medical coverage (except to enroll as a dependent on another PEBB account), you cannot receive the $250 contribution. This benefit was negotiated by the State of Washington in the September 2018 Health Care collective bargaining agreement.
- If you are found to be eligible for this benefit and enroll in a Medical FSA for 2020, the $250 will be added to your account in January. If you are eligible but do not enroll in a Medical FSA, Navia Benefit Solutions will open an account for you and send you a welcome letter with a debit card loaded with $250.
- If you have questions about this employer-paid benefit, please contact your benefits office.
Open Enrollment
PEBB Open Enrollment begins on November 1st and runs through November 30. This is your opportunity to make changes to your health and wellness benefits for the upcoming 2021 calendar year.
Changes you can make include:
- Change medical and dental plans.
- Add or remove an eligible dependent.
- Enroll or re-enroll in the Medical Flexible Spending Arrangement and/or the Dependent Care Assistance Program.
- Reattest to the spousal premium surcharge.
- New for this year, MetLife is offering an opportunity to enroll in or increase your supplemental life insurance up to $1,000,000 worth of coverage.
*Please note some changes cannot be done online, please see www.hca.wa.gov for a list of authorized online changes
Refer to the Health Care Authority’s For Your Benefits Newsletter for information and updates on what’s changing! For additional information on the changes you can make during Open Enrollment visit HCA’s website at Open Enrollment 2020. Enrollment/change forms will be available online or in an electronic format from the Benefits Office beginning November 1st – 30th.
Benefits Fair
Virtual Benefits Fair – This year, PEBB is offering a new way to learn about benefits from the comfort and safety of your home. A virtual benefits fair is a great way to learn about your benefit options through an online experience — and it’s available anytime, day or night, during open enrollment.
Visit and explore to learn more about all the benefits available. You will find links to videos, plan comparisons, webinars, and other information to help you choose the right benefits for you and your dependents. Use your computer, tablet, or smartphone to explore at your own pace.
For more information, check out the HCA’s For Your Benefits Newsletter. OPEN ENROLLMENT is November 1st - 30th! Changes will be effective January 1st, 2021.