Retirement

Helpful Resources for Retirement Planning

The Washington State Department of Retirement Systems offers many valuable tools, whether you are just starting out, mid-career, or nearing retirement. You can register for seminars and webinars, use benefit calculators, and apply for your pension. Go to www.drs.wa.gov to get started!

For those nearing retirement, click here, for checklists, seminars and videos.

Thinking of retiring in the next year? DRS has put together a helpful guidance article.

If you have questions please contact Toni Damron at 425.408.7610 or tdamron@nsd.org.

Click here to view the DRS Retirement Planning Checklist


DRS Webinars

To join a webinar, go to https://www.drs.wa.gov/education/webinar/, and select "join" for the webinar that you wish to attend 10 to 15 minutes before the scheduled start time. No need to register. Most webinars include a 30 minute presentation followed by a 15 minute question and answer session.


Should I Retire July 1st or September 1st?

This will be a decision most will need to make upon retirement. Look at this DRS Webpage for more details to help you with your decision.


Retirement Plan Choice

If you are a new school district employee hired for the first time into a SERS or TRS eligible position, you have an important decision to make about your retirement. You have 90 days from your start date to make your retirement plan choice decision. The choice that you make is permanent.

 

You can also use the Plan Choice Calculator to get a side by side comparison of what you could expect in retirement, based on what plan you choose, based on your age, pay and how long you plan to work.

 

Ready to make your plan choice decision? Fill out the Member Information Form and return it to HR.


Optional Retirement Plans

As an employee of Northshore School District, you have the option to participate in two different optional retirement plans, the  Deferred Compensation Program, and the 403(b) Plans. These plans allow you to set aside tax-deferred funds for your retirement. Both plans allow you the flexibility to start, stop or change contributions at any time.

To open up a Deferred Compensation Plan, click here to view and print the DCP Participation Agreement.

To open up a 403(b) account, select our state and school district at the National Benefit Services Website. You will be able to choose a participating 403(b) vendor (click here to view list online), and contact them directly to open your account. Once your account is open, you will need to fill out a Salary Reduction Agreement, to start the payroll deduction.  Click here to view the Universal Availability Notice, for more information on the 403(b) Plan.

VEBA

Each year your bargaining unit must decide whether to participate in VEBA. If your bargaining unit has agreed to participate, the District will remit to the VEBA Trust your annual and/or your retirement sick leave buy-out payment.

The payment to VEBA is currently non-taxable for social security and federal income tax and the amount is excluded under Internal Revenue Code 419. Therefore, contributions you make to the Trust can save you money on taxes.

You can use your VEBA account to reimburse eligible out-of-pocket healthcare costs and premiums for you, your spouse, and qualified dependents.

Washington State Department of Retirement Systems
1-800-547-6657
www.drs.wa.gov
 
Health Care Authority/Public Employees Benefits Board
1-800-200-1004
www.hca.wa.gov/employee-retiree-benefits
 
Social Security Administration
1-800-772-1213
www.ssa.gov
 
National Benefit Services
403(b) Plan Third Party Administrator
1-800-274-0503 Ext. 5
 
VEBA
1-800-422-4023
www.veba.org