DRS Members : Getting Ready to Go

As you near retirement, you will need to:

• Check your PERS, TRS or LEOFF member handbook, to make sure that you are eligible to retire, based on your age and years of service.
• Estimate whether your pension, Social Security and savings will meet your retirement income needs. If you are more than one year from retirement, you can follow the step-by-step method to estimate your retirement income. If you are less than one year from retirement, download this form for ordering an income estimate from DRS.

  If you are a member of PERS 3 or TRS 3, you will also need to estimate the income from the savings side of your retirement plan.

Countdown to Retirement

You may schedule a meeting with the CWU Benefits staff for assistance with the following:

About 3 months before retirement,

Order the forms to begin receiving income from PERS, TRS or LEOFF
Contact Social Security to begin receiving income (visit their website or call 800-772-1213)

About 1 month before retirement,

Return the completed income forms to Social Security and PERS, TRS or LEOFF
Sign up for continued medical insurance with the benefits office
Sign up for a VEBA plan through the benefits office, for any unused sick leave that you will cash out

NOTE: The University and the Benefits Office staff cannot provide investment advice to employees.