Episodes
97
Latest episode
Oct 2026
Language
EN
Join Seth and Jenny, two Washington State DRS employees, as they explore the basics of financial planning and tools for managing and growing your money.
Retirement planning looks different for everyone. And as a Retirement Specialist, Jon shares what he’s learned from talking to people at different stages of their careers. As a result, this means that preparing for retirement means saving as early, but also keeping your mind sharp. And while retirement maybe be a few decades away for Jon, he hopes to inspire others with his curiosity and passion for learning.
Did you know you can change your health insurance plan during fall open enrollment? It’s a chance to review your coverage and see if your current plan is still right for you. Laura from the Health Care Authority joins us to explain what you need to know. Open enrollment is Oct. 26 – Nov. 23, 2026.
Menopause is a natural stage of life that affects many people thinking about retirement. Washington is one of the first states to formally address it in the workplace through an executive order from the governor. We sit down with educator and advocate Shannon to talk about what this means for state employees, why accurate information matters and how workplaces can better support employees experiencing menopause. Executive Order 26-01 Addressing menopause-related workplace accommodations .
Getting married after retirement may give you a one-time opportunity to add your new spouse as your survivor for your pension benefit. But there are specific rules and deadlines you’ll need to know about. We sit down with Kumano to chat about who may be eligible, when you can make the change and how adding a survivor can affect your monthly benefit.
Planning a trip outside Washington? If you’re retired and have PEBB retiree insurance, there are a few things you’ll want to know before your trip. We chat with Laura from the Washington State Health Care Authority about how your coverage works when you’re traveling and what you can do to prepare. Find out how to make sure you’re covered while you’re away.
Medicare doesn't cover every health care expense, but the PEBB retiree insurance can help fill some of the gaps. Additional benefits can include chiropractic care, massage therapy, physical therapy, vision, hearing and naturopathic care. Tune in to find out how to make the most of your coverage. More information: https://www.hca.wa.gov/employee-retiree-benefits
There are a lot of ways to save for retirement, including pretax and Roth contributions, IRAs, and Washington’s Deferred Compensation Program (DCP), also known as a 457 plan. In this episode, we break down the differences, explain tax and withdrawal rules, required minimum distributions, contribution and income limits, and rollovers. We also share practical strategies, like automating your contributions and how to build flexibility into your retirement plan.
What is the Demographic Experience Study and how does it influence Washington State pensions? We sit down with Frank, one of the actuaries who worked on the study. Turns out, there were small shifts in male and female life expectancy and a trend toward later retirements for many eligible workers. We'll explain what those findings mean and how they're used to ensure pension funding stays on track. View the survey: 2019-2023 Demographic Experience Study
Retiring before age 65 is a goal for many people, and this summer DRS accounting team member Tracie is doing just that. She shares the steps she took to prepare, including creating retirement estimates, paying off debt and using her DCP savings to purchase an annuity. Tracie also discusses health insurance options, coordinating retirement timing with her spouse and what she's looking forward to most as she settles into a new retirement routine.
Balancing student loans, saving for your child’s education and planning for retirement isn’t easy, but it’s a challenge many parents face. Jacob talks about navigating those competing priorities and the lessons he’s learned while trying to find the right financial balance. He also reflects on his new position as the Executive Director of The Law Enforcement Officers' and Fire Fighters' (LEOFF) Plan 2 Retirement Board.
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