DRS News Update: Qualified LEOFF Plan 1 retirees can provide post-retirement survivor benefits after remarriage

The following article has been posted to What's New section of the DRS website:

A new law (ESB 5873) effective June 9, 2016, gives Law Enforcement Officers’ and Fire Fighters’ Plan 1 retirees an opportunity to provide survivor benefits to their post-retirement spouse or registered domestic partner. If a spouse or registered domestic partner is added, a retiree’s monthly benefit will be reduced to pay for the benefit. The open window for making this change is June 9, 2016 to Sept. 1, 2016.

To qualify, retirees must have been married or registered in a domestic partnership after retirement. They must also meet these additional requirements:

• The marriage or registration must span at least two years before Sept. 1, 2015
• The spouse or registered domestic partner cannot be already eligible for survivor benefits through any other provisions of LEOFF law
• A survivor benefit was not applied for within one year of getting married or registering as a domestic partner
• A portion of the retiree’s retirement benefit must not be subject to a property division obligation

By the end of May 2016, DRS is mailing letters to all LEOFF Plan 1 retirees informing them of this opportunity and explaining how to add their spouse or domestic partner as a survivor beneficiary.

For more information, see Engrossed Senate Bill 5873 or contact us.

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DRS What's New