PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
RETIREMENT SYSTEMS
Subject of Possible Rule Making: Can I name a current or former spouse as a beneficiary if I select a retirement option that provides for a survivor benefit (new). The rules involve the Public Employees' Retirement System Plans 1 and 2, the Teachers' Retirement System Plans 1 and 2, the Law Enforcement Officers' and Fire Fighters' Retirement System Plan 2, and the School Employees' Retirement System Plans 1 and 2.
Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 41.26.460, 41.32.530, 41.32.785, 41.35.220, 41.40.188, 41.40.660, 41.50.050(5), 41.50.670, 41.50.790.
Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: These rules will clarify what benefits a spouse or former spouse are entitled to when named in a beneficiary form and/or dissolution decree.
Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: None.
Process for Developing New Rule: Department staff will work on the project, with the assistance of the Office of the Attorney General. The public is invited and encouraged to participate, as described below.
Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication. The Department of Retirement Systems encourages your active participation in the rule-making process. Anyone interested in participating should contact the rules coordinator, below. After the rule(s) is drafted, DRS will file a copy with the Office of the Code Reviser with a notice of proposed rule making, and send a copy to everyone currently on the mailing list and anyone else who requests a copy. For more information on how to participate, please contact Merry A. Kogut, Rules Coordinator, Department of Retirement Systems, Mailstop 48380, P.O. Box 48380, Olympia, WA 98504-8380, voice (360) 664-7291, TTY (360) 586-5450, e-mail merryk@drs.wa.gov, fax (360) 753-3166.
April 26, 2001
Merry A. Kogut
Rules Coordinator