RCW 41.12.090 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 12 / Section 090
RCW 41.12.090: Procedure for removal, suspension, demotion or discharge—Investigation—Hearing—Appeal.
Status: in_force

No person in the classified civil service who shall have been permanently appointed or inducted into civil service under provisions of this chapter, shall be removed, suspended, demoted or discharged except for cause, and only upon written accusation of the appointing power, or any citizen or taxpayer; a written statement of which accusation, in general terms, shall be served upon the accused, and a duplicate filed with the commission. Any person so removed, suspended, demoted or discharged may within ten days from the time of his or her removal, suspension, demotion or discharge, file with the commission a written demand for an investigation, whereupon the commission shall conduct such investigation. The investigation shall be confined to the determination of the question of whether such removal, suspension, demotion or discharge was or was not made for political or religious reasons and was or was not made in good faith for cause. After such investigation the commission may affirm the removal, or if it shall find that the removal, suspension, or demotion was made for political or religious reasons, or was not made in good faith for cause, shall order the immediate reinstatement or reemployment of such person in the office, place, position or employment from which such person was removed, suspended, demoted or discharged, which reinstatement shall, if the commission so provides in its discretion, be retroactive, and entitle such person to pay or compensation from the time of such removal, suspension, demotion or discharge. The commission upon such investigation, in lieu of affirming the removal, suspension, demotion or discharge may modify the order of removal, suspension, demotion or discharge by directing a suspension, without pay, for a given period, and subsequent restoration to duty, or demotion in classification, grade, or pay; the findings of the commission shall be certified, in writing to the appointing power, and shall be forthwith enforced by such officer. All investigations made by the commission pursuant to the provisions of this section shall be had by public hearing, after reasonable notice to the accused of the time and place of such hearing, at which hearing the accused shall be afforded an opportunity of appearing in person and by counsel, and presenting his or her defense. If such judgment or order be concurred in by the commission or a majority thereof, the accused may appeal therefrom to the court of original and unlimited jurisdiction in civil suits of the county wherein he or she resides. Such appeal shall be taken by serving the commission, within thirty days after the entry of such judgment or order, a written notice of appeal, stating the grounds thereof, and demanding that a certified transcript of the record and of all papers on file in the office of the commission affecting or relating to such judgment or order, be filed by the commission with such court. The commission shall, within ten days after the filing of such notice, make, certify and file such transcript with such court. The court of original and unlimited jurisdiction in civil suits shall thereupon proceed to hear and determine such appeal in a summary manner: PROVIDED, HOWEVER, That such hearing shall be confined to the determination of whether the judgment or order of removal, discharge, demotion or suspension made by the commission, was or was not made in good faith for cause, and no appeal to such court shall be taken except upon such ground or grounds.
RCW 41.26.520 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 26 / Section 520
RCW 41.26.520: Service credit for paid leave of absence, officers of labor organizations, unpaid leave of absence, military service, death or disability while providing emergency management services.
Status: in_force

(1) A member who is on a paid leave of absence authorized by a member's employer shall continue to receive service credit as provided for under the provisions of RCW 41.26.410 through 41.26.550 . (2) A member who receives compensation from an employer while on an authorized leave of absence to serve as an elected official of a labor organization, and whose employer is reimbursed by the labor organization for the compensation paid to the member during the period of absence, may also be considered to be on a paid leave of absence. This subsection shall only apply if the member's leave of absence is authorized by a collective bargaining agreement that provides that the member retains seniority rights with the employer during the period of leave. The basic salary reported for a member who establishes service credit under this subsection may not be greater than the salary paid to the highest paid job class covered by the collective bargaining agreement. (3) Except as specified in subsection (7) of this section, a member shall be eligible to receive a maximum of two years service credit during a member's entire working career for those periods when a member is on an unpaid leave of absence authorized by an employer. If the member retires instead of returning to work, the member is eligible for this credit. Such credit may be obtained only if the member makes the employer, member, and state contributions plus interest as determined by the department for the period of the authorized leave of absence within five years of resumption of service or prior to retirement whichever comes sooner. (4) A law enforcement member may be authorized by an employer to work part time and to go on a part-time leave of absence. During a part-time leave of absence a member is prohibited from any other employment with their employer. A member is eligible to receive credit for any portion of service credit not earned during a month of part-time leave of absence if the member makes the employer, member, and state contributions, plus interest, as determined by the department for the period of the authorized leave within five years of resumption of full-time service or prior to retirement whichever comes sooner. Any service credit purchased for a part-time leave of absence is included in the two-year maximum provided in subsection (3) of this section. (5) If a member fails to meet the time limitations of subsection (3) or (4) of this section, the member may receive a maximum of two years of service credit during a member's working career for those periods when a member is on unpaid leave of absence authorized by an employer. This may be done by paying the amount required under RCW 41.50.165 (2) prior to retirement. (6) For the purpose of subsection (3) or (4) of this section, the contribution shall not include the contribution for the unfunded supplemental present value as required by RCW 41.45.060 , 41.45.061 , and 41.45.067 . The contributions required shall be based on the average of the member's basic salary at both the time the authorized leave of absence was granted and the time the member resumed employment. If the member retires instead of returning to work, the contributions required shall be based on the member's basic salary at the time the authorized leave of absence was granted adjusted for any cost-of-living or other pay increases provided to similar jobs or job classes during the leave period. (7) A member who leaves the employ of an employer to enter the uniformed services of the United States shall be entitled to retirement system service credit for up to five years of military service. This subsection shall be administered in a manner consistent with the requirements of the federal uniformed services employment and reemployment rights act. (a) The member qualifies for service credit under this subsection if: (i) Within ninety days of the member's honorable discharge from the uniformed services of the United States, the member applies for reemployment with the employer who employed the member immediately prior to the member entering the uniformed services; and (ii) The member makes the employee contributions required under RCW 41.45.060 , 41.45.061 , and 41.45.067 within five years of resumption of service or prior to retirement, whichever comes sooner; or (iii) Prior to retirement and not within ninety days of the member's honorable discharge or five years of resumption of service the member pays the amount required under RCW 41.50.165 (2); or (iv) Prior to retirement the member provides to the director proof that the member's interruptive military service was during a period of war as defined in RCW 41.04.005 . Any member who made payments for service credit for interruptive military service during a period of war as defined in RCW 41.04.005 may, prior to retirement and on a form provided by the department, request a refund of the funds standing to his or her credit for up to five years of such service, and this amount shall be paid to him or her. Members with one or more periods of interruptive military service credit during a period of war may receive no more than five years of free retirement system service credit under this subsection. (b) Upon receipt of member contributions under (a)(ii), (d)(iii), or (e)(iii) of this subsection, or adequate proof under (a)(iv), (d)(iv), or (e)(iv) of this subsection, the department shall establish the member's service credit and shall bill the employer and the state for their respective contributions required under RCW 41.26.450 for the period of military service, plus interest as determined by the department. (c) The contributions required under (a)(ii), (d)(iii), or (e)(iii) of this subsection shall be based on the compensation the member would have earned if not on leave, or if that cannot be estimated with reasonable certainty, the compensation reported for the member in the year prior to when the member went on military leave. (d) The surviving spouse, domestic partner, or eligible child or children of a member who left the employ of an employer to enter the uniformed services of the United States and died while serving in the uniformed services may, on behalf of the deceased member, apply for retirement system service credit under this subsection up to the date of the member's death in the uniformed services. The department shall establish the deceased member's service credit if the surviving spouse or eligible child or children: (i) Provides to the director proof of the member's death while serving in the uniformed services; (ii) Provides to the director proof of the member's honorable service in the uniformed services prior to the date of death; and (iii) Pays the employee contributions required under chapter 41.45 RCW within five years of the date of death or prior to the distribution of any benefit, whichever comes first; or (iv) Prior to the distribution of any benefit, provides to the director proof that the member's interruptive military service was during a period of war as defined in RCW 41.04.005 . If the deceased member made payments for service credit for interruptive military service during a period of war as defined in RCW 41.04.005 , the surviving spouse or eligible child or children may, prior to the distribution of any benefit and on a form provided by the department, request a refund of the funds standing to the deceased member's credit for up to five years of such service, and this amount shall be paid to the surviving spouse or children. Members with one or more periods of interruptive military service during a period of war may receive no more than five years of free retirement system service credit under this subsection. (e) A member who leaves the employ of an employer to enter the uniformed services of the United States and becomes totally incapacitated for continued employment by an employer while serving in the uniformed services is entitled to retirement system service credit under this subsection up to the date of discharge from the uniformed services if: (i) The member obtains a determination from the director that he or she is totally incapacitated for continued employment due to conditions or events that occurred while serving in the uniformed services; (ii) The member provides to the director proof of honorable discharge from the uniformed services; and (iii) The member pays the employee contributions required under chapter 41.45 RCW within five years of the director's determination of total disability or prior to the distribution of any benefit, whichever comes first; or (iv) Prior to retirement the member provides to the director proof that the member's interruptive military service was during a period of war as defined in RCW 41.04.005 . Any member who made payments for service credit for interruptive military service during a period of war as defined in RCW 41.04.005 may, prior to retirement and on a form provided by the department, request a refund of the funds standing to his or her credit for up to five years of such service, and this amount shall be paid to him or her. Members with one or more periods of interruptive military service credit during a period of war may receive no more than five years of free retirement system service credit under this subsection. (f) The surviving spouse, domestic partner, or eligible child or children of a member who left the employ of an employer to enter the uniformed services of the United States, federal emergency management agency, or national disaster medical system of the United States department of health and human services and died while performing service in response to a disaster, major emergency, special event, federal exercise, or official training on or after March 22, 2014, may, on behalf of the deceased member, apply for retirement system service credit under this subsection up to the date of the member's death in such service. The department shall establish the deceased member's service credit if the surviving spouse or eligible child or children provides to the director proof of the member's death while in such service. (g) A member who leaves the employ of an employer to enter the uniformed services of the United States, federal emergency management agency, or national disaster medical system of the United States department of health and human services and becomes totally incapacitated for continued employment by an employer while providing such service is entitled to retirement system service credit under this subsection up to the date of separation from such service if the member obtains a determination from the director that he or she is totally incapacitated for continued employment due to conditions or events that occurred while performing such service. (8) A member receiving benefits under Title 51 RCW who is not receiving benefits under this chapter shall be deemed to be on unpaid, authorized leave of absence.
RCW 41.56.040 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 56 / Section 040
RCW 41.56.040: Right of employees to organize and designate representatives without interference.
Status: in_force

No public employer, or other person, shall directly or indirectly, interfere with, restrain, coerce, or discriminate against any public employee or group of public employees in the free exercise of their right to organize and designate representatives of their own choosing for the purpose of collective bargaining, or in the free exercise of any other right under this chapter.
RCW 41.56.081 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 56 / Section 081
RCW 41.56.081: Department-contracted individual providers—Family child care providers—Adult family home providers—Language access providers—Employee authorization of membership dues and other payments—Revocation—Third-party entity permitted to act as an individual provider's agent.
Status: in_force

(1) This subsection (1) applies only if the state makes the payments directly to a provider. (a) Upon the authorization of an individual provider who contracts with the department of social and health services, a family child care provider, an adult family home provider, or a language access provider within the bargaining unit and after the certification or recognition of the bargaining unit's exclusive bargaining representative, the state as payor, but not as the employer, shall, subject to (c) of this subsection, deduct from the payments to an individual provider who contracts with the department of social and health services, a family child care provider, an adult family home provider, or a language access provider the monthly amount of dues as certified by the secretary of the exclusive bargaining representative and shall transmit the same to the treasurer of the exclusive bargaining representative. (b)(i) An employee's written, electronic, or recorded voice authorization to have the employer deduct membership dues from the employee's salary must be made by the employee to the exclusive bargaining representative. If the employer receives a request for authorization of deductions, the employer shall as soon as practicable forward the request to the exclusive bargaining representative. (ii) Upon receiving notice of the employee's authorization from the exclusive bargaining representative, the employer shall deduct from the employee's salary membership dues and remit the amounts to the exclusive bargaining representative. (iii) The employee's authorization remains in effect until expressly revoked by the employee in accordance with the terms and conditions of the authorization. (iv) An employee's request to revoke authorization for payroll deductions must be in writing and submitted by the employee to the exclusive bargaining representative in accordance with the terms and conditions of the authorization. (v) After the employer receives confirmation from the exclusive bargaining representative that the employee has revoked authorization for deductions, the employer shall end the deduction no later than the second payroll after receipt of the confirmation. (vi) The employer shall rely on information provided by the exclusive bargaining representative regarding the authorization and revocation of deductions. (vii) If the governor and the exclusive bargaining representative of a bargaining unit of individual providers who contract with the department of social and health services, family child care providers, adult family home providers, or language access providers enter into a collective bargaining agreement that includes requirements for deductions of other payments, the state, as payor, but not as the employer, shall, subject to (c) of this subsection, make such deductions upon authorization of the individual provider, family child care provider, adult family home provider, or language access provider. (c)(i) The initial additional costs to the state in making deductions from the payments to individual providers, family child care providers, adult family home providers, and language access providers under this section shall be negotiated, agreed upon in advance, and reimbursed to the state by the exclusive bargaining representative. (ii) The allocation of ongoing additional costs to the state in making deductions from the payments to individual providers, family child care providers, adult family home providers, or language access providers under this section shall be an appropriate subject of collective bargaining between the exclusive bargaining representative and the governor unless prohibited by another statute. If no collective bargaining agreement containing a provision allocating the ongoing additional cost is entered into between the exclusive bargaining representative and the governor, or if the legislature does not approve funding for the collective bargaining agreement as provided in RCW 74.39A.300 , * 41.56.153 , * 41.56.155 , or * 41.56.157 , as applicable, the ongoing additional costs to the state in making deductions from the payments to individual providers, family child care providers, adult family home providers, or language access providers under this section shall be negotiated, agreed upon in advance, and reimbursed to the state by the exclusive bargaining representative. (2) This subsection (2) applies only if the state does not make the payments directly to a language access provider. Upon the authorization of a language access provider within the bargaining unit and after the certification or recognition of the bargaining unit's exclusive bargaining representative, the state shall require through its contracts with third parties that: (a) The monthly amount of dues as certified by the secretary of the exclusive bargaining representative be deducted from the payments to the language access provider and transmitted to the treasurer of the exclusive bargaining representative; and (b) A record showing that dues have been deducted as specified in (a) of this subsection be provided to the state. (3) This subsection (3) applies only to individual providers who contract with the department of social and health services. The exclusive bargaining representative of individual providers may designate a third-party entity to act as the individual provider's agent in receiving payments from the state to the individual provider, so long as the individual provider has entered into an agency agreement with a third-party entity for the purposes of deducting and remitting voluntary payments to the exclusive bargaining representative. A third-party entity that receives such payments is responsible for making and remitting deductions authorized by the individual provider. The costs of such deductions must be paid by the exclusive bargaining representative.
RCW 41.04.045 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 04 / Section 045
RCW 41.04.045: Public service loan forgiveness program—Awareness materials—Employment certification.
Status: in_force

(1) As soon as available, a state agency shall provide the materials described in RCW 28B.77.009 in written or electronic form to: (a) All employees annually; (b) Newly hired employees within 30 days of the employee's first day of employment; and (c) Separated employees upon separation. (2) A state agency must certify employment for the purposes of the public service loan forgiveness program in accordance with the program established in RCW 43.41.425 beginning July 1, 2023. (a) If a state agency does not directly certify employment with the United States department of education, the state agency must certify employment for any current or former employee who requests employment certification by providing a partially completed manual public student loan forgiveness form to the appropriate agency contact or by submitting a request to the appropriate agency contact through the federal public service loan forgiveness online help tool. (b) A state agency must also send a notice to submit a public service loan forgiveness employment certification request to any current employee for whom the state agency has previously certified employment, one year after the last date employment was certified for that employee. (c) A state agency shall not unreasonably delay in certifying employment. (d) A state agency must seek permission from its employees prior to certifying their employment. (e) Institutions of higher education must use the calculation established in RCW 41.04.055 and may apply it retroactively to determine whether a part-time academic employee is considered full time for the public service loan forgiveness program. (f) A state agency may send the information necessary for public service loan forgiveness employment certification to the United States department of education, or its agents, if the United States department of education permits public service employers to certify employment for past or present individual employees or groups of employees directly, notwithstanding other provisions of law. (g) The office of financial management is authorized to adopt rules for the purpose of this section. (3) An employee of a state agency may opt out of the employment certification process established in RCW 43.41.425 at any time. (4) For purposes of this section, the definitions in this subsection apply: (a) "Certifying employment" means either completing the employer sections of the public service loan forgiveness form, completing the employer information requested through the federal public service loan forgiveness online help tool, or sharing data directly with the United States department of education that corresponds to the information required for the public service loan forgiveness form. (b) "Full time" has the same meaning as set forth in 34 C.F.R. Sec. 685.219. (c) "Public service employer" includes the following: (i) Any governmental entity including state, county, city, or other local government entity including political subdivisions, such as office, department, independent agency, school district, public college or university system, public library system, authority, or other body including the legislature and the judiciary; (ii) Any employer that has received designation as a tax-exempt organization pursuant to Title 26 U.S.C. Sec. 501(c)(3) of the federal internal revenue code of 1986, as amended; (iii) Any other entities identified as a public service job in Title 20 U.S.C. Sec. 1087e(m). (d) "Public service loan forgiveness program" means the federal loan forgiveness program established pursuant to Title 20 U.S.C. Sec. 1087e(m) and 34 C.F.R. Sec. 685.219. (e) "State agency" or "agency" means departments, offices, agencies, or institutions of state government, the legislature, institutions of higher education, school districts, and educational service districts.
RCW 41.05.100 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 05 / Section 100
RCW 41.05.100: Chapter not applicable to certain employees of Cooperative Extension Service.
Status: in_force

The provisions of this chapter shall not be applicable to any employee of the Washington State University Cooperative Extension Service who holds a federal civil service appointment and is thereby eligible for insurance coverage under the regulations of the United States Department of Agriculture and the United States Civil Service Commission, and which employee elects participation in the federal programs in lieu of the programs established pursuant to this chapter. Such election may be made only once.
RCW 41.12.080 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 12 / Section 080
RCW 41.12.080: Tenure of employment—Grounds for discharge, reduction, or deprivation of privileges.
Status: in_force

The tenure of everyone holding an office, place, position or employment under the provisions of this chapter shall be only during good behavior, and any such person may be removed or discharged, suspended without pay, demoted, or reduced in rank, or deprived of vacation privileges or other special privileges for any of the following reasons: (1) Incompetency, inefficiency or inattention to or dereliction of duty; (2) Dishonesty, intemperance, immoral conduct, insubordination, discourteous treatment of the public, or a fellow employee, or any other act of omission or commission tending to injure the public service; or any other willful failure on the part of the employee to properly conduct himself or herself; or any willful violation of the provisions of this chapter or the rules and regulation to be adopted hereunder; (3) Mental or physical unfitness for the position which the employee holds; (4) Dishonest, disgraceful, immoral or prejudicial conduct; (5) Drunkenness or use of intoxicating liquors, narcotics, or any other habit forming drug, liquid or preparation to such extent that the use thereof interferes with the efficiency or mental or physical fitness of the employee, or which precludes the employee from properly performing the function and duties of any position under civil service; (6) Conviction of a felony, or a misdemeanor, involving moral turpitude; (7) Any other act or failure to act which in the judgment of the civil service commissioners is sufficient to show the offender to be an unsuitable and unfit person to be employed in the public service.
RCW 41.32.042 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 32 / Section 042
RCW 41.32.042: Validity of deductions—Interest.
Status: in_force

The deductions from salaries of members of the retirement system for their contributions to the system are not considered diminution of pay and every member is conclusively presumed to consent thereto as a condition of employment. All contributions to the member reserve shall be credited to the individual for whose account the deductions from salary were made. Regular interest shall be credited to each member's account at least annually.
RCW 41.34.090 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 34 / Section 090
RCW 41.34.090: Administration of chapter—Construction—Severability.
Status: in_force

(1) The retirement plan created by this chapter shall be administered so as to comply with the federal Internal Revenue Code, Title 26 U.S.C., and specifically with plan qualification requirements imposed on governmental plans by section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code. (2) Any section or provision of this chapter which may be susceptible to more than one construction shall be interpreted in favor of the construction most likely to satisfy requirements imposed by section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code. (3) If any section or provision of this chapter is found to be in conflict with the plan qualification requirements for governmental plans in section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code, the conflicting part of this chapter is hereby inoperative solely to the extent of the conflict, and such finding shall not affect the operation of the remainder of this chapter.
RCW 41.12.040 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 12 / Section 040
RCW 41.12.040: Organization of commission—Secretary—Powers and duties of commission.
Status: in_force

Immediately after appointment the commission shall organize by electing one of its members chair and hold regular meetings at least once a month, and such additional meetings as may be required for the proper discharge of their duties. They shall appoint a secretary and chief examiner, who shall keep the records for the commission, preserve all reports made to it, superintend and keep a record of all examinations held under its direction, and perform such other duties as the commission may prescribe. The secretary and chief examiner shall be appointed as a result of competitive examination which examination may be either original and open to all properly qualified citizens of the city, town, or municipality, or promotional and limited to persons already in the service of the police department or of the police department and other departments of the city, town, or municipality, as the commission may decide. The secretary and chief examiner may be subject to suspension, reduction, or discharge in the same manner and subject to the same limitations as are provided in the case of members of the police department. It shall be the duty of the civil service commission: (1) To make suitable rules and regulations not inconsistent with the provisions of this chapter. Such rules and regulations shall provide in detail the manner in which examinations may be held, and appointments, promotions, transfers, reinstatements, demotions, suspensions, and discharges shall be made, and may also provide for any other matters connected with the general subject of personnel administration, and which may be considered desirable to further carry out the general purposes of this chapter, or which may be found to be in the interest of good personnel administration. Such rules and regulations may be changed from time to time. The rules and regulations and any amendments thereof shall be printed, mimeographed, or multigraphed for free public distribution. Such rules and regulations may be changed from time to time; (2) All tests shall be practical, and shall consist only of subjects which will fairly determine the capacity of persons examined to perform duties of the position to which appointment is to be made, and may include tests of physical fitness and/or of manual skill; (3) The rules and regulations adopted by the commission shall provide for a credit in accordance with RCW 41.04.010 in favor of all applicants for appointment under civil service, who, in time of war, or in any expedition of the armed forces of the United States, have served in and been discharged from the armed forces of the United States, including the army, navy, and marine corps and the American Red Cross, with a qualifying discharge as defined in RCW 73.04.005 . These credits apply to entrance examinations only; (4) The commission shall make investigations concerning and report upon all matters touching the enforcement and effect of the provisions of this chapter, and the rules and regulations prescribed hereunder; inspect all institutions, departments, offices, places, positions, and employments affected by this chapter, and ascertain whether this chapter and all such rules and regulations are being obeyed. Such investigations may be made by the commission or by any commissioner designated by the commission for that purpose. Not only must these investigations be made by the commission, but the commission must make like investigation on petition of a citizen, duly verified, stating that irregularities or abuses exist, or setting forth in concise language, in writing, the necessity for such investigation. In the course of such investigation the commission or designated commissioner, or chief examiner, shall have the power to administer oaths, subpoena and require the attendance of witnesses and the production by them of books, papers, documents, and accounts appertaining to the investigation, and also to cause the deposition of witnesses residing within or without the state to be taken in the manner prescribed by law for like depositions in civil actions in the superior court; and the oaths administered hereunder and the subpoenas issued hereunder shall have the same force and effect as the oaths administered by a superior court judge in his or her judicial capacity; and the failure upon the part of any person so subpoenaed to comply with the provisions of this section shall be deemed a violation of this chapter, and punishable as such; (5) Hearings and Investigations: How conducted. All hearings and investigations before the commission, or designated commissioner, or chief examiner, shall be governed by this chapter and by rules of practice and procedure to be adopted by the commission, and in the conduct thereof neither the commission, nor designated commissioner shall be bound by the technical rules of evidence. No informality in any proceedings or hearing, or in the manner of taking testimony before the commission or designated commissioner, shall invalidate any order, decision, rule or regulation made, approved or confirmed by the commission: PROVIDED, HOWEVER, That no order, decision, rule or regulation made by any designated commissioner conducting any hearing or investigation alone shall be of any force or effect whatsoever unless and until concurred in by at least one of the other two members; (6) To hear and determine appeals or complaints respecting the administrative work of the personnel department; appeals upon the allocation of positions; the rejection of an examination, and such other matters as may be referred to the commission; (7) Establish and maintain in card or other suitable form a roster of officers and employees; (8) Provide for, formulate and hold competitive tests to determine the relative qualifications of persons who seek employment in any class or position and as a result thereof establish eligible lists for the various classes of positions, and to provide that persons laid off because of curtailment of expenditures, reduction in force, and for like causes, head the list in the order of their seniority, to the end that they shall be the first to be reemployed; (9) When a vacant position is to be filled, to certify to the appointing authority, on written request, the name of the person highest on the eligible list for the class. If there are no such lists, to authorize provisional or temporary appointment list of such class. Such temporary or provisional appointment shall not continue for a period longer than four months; nor shall any person receive more than one provisional appointment or serve more than four months as provisional appointee in any one fiscal year; (10) Keep such records as may be necessary for the proper administration of this chapter.
RCW 41.56.153 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 56 / Section 153
RCW 41.56.153: Application of chapter to family child care providers—Governor as public employer—Procedure—Intent.
Status: in_force

(1) In addition to the entities listed in *RCW 41.56.101 , this chapter applies to the governor with respect to family child care providers. Solely for the purposes of collective bargaining and as expressly limited under subsections (2) and (3) of this section, the governor is the public employer of family child care providers who, solely for the purposes of collective bargaining, are public employees. The public employer shall be represented for bargaining purposes by the governor or the governor's designee appointed under chapter 41.80 RCW. (2) This chapter governs the collective bargaining relationship between the governor and family child care providers, except as follows: (a) A statewide unit of all family child care providers is the only unit appropriate for purposes of collective bargaining under *RCW 41.56.211 . (b) The exclusive bargaining representative of family child care providers in the unit specified in (a) of this subsection shall be the representative chosen in an election conducted pursuant to *RCW 41.56.221 , except that in the initial election conducted under chapter 54, Laws of 2006, if more than one labor organization is on the ballot and none of the choices receives a majority of the votes cast, a runoff election shall be held. (c) Notwithstanding the definition of "collective bargaining" in RCW 41.56.030 (4), the scope of collective bargaining for child care providers under this section shall be limited solely to: (i) Economic compensation, such as manner and rate of subsidy and reimbursement, including tiered reimbursements; (ii) health and welfare benefits; (iii) professional development and training; (iv) labor-management committees; (v) grievance procedures; and (vi) other economic matters. Retirement benefits shall not be subject to collective bargaining. By such obligation neither party shall be compelled to agree to a proposal or be required to make a concession unless otherwise provided in this chapter. (d) The mediation and interest arbitration provisions of *RCW 41.56.501 through 41.56.540 apply, except that: (i) With respect to commencement of negotiations between the governor and the exclusive bargaining representative of family child care providers, negotiations shall be commenced initially upon certification of an exclusive bargaining representative under (a) of this subsection and, thereafter, by February 1st of any even-numbered year; and (ii) The decision of the arbitration panel is not binding on the legislature and, if the legislature does not approve the request for funds necessary to implement the compensation and benefit provisions of the arbitrated collective bargaining agreement, is not binding on the state. (e) Family child care providers do not have the right to strike. (3) Family child care providers who are public employees solely for the purposes of collective bargaining under subsection (1) of this section are not, for that reason, employees of the state for any purpose. This section applies only to the governance of the collective bargaining relationship between the employer and family child care providers as provided in subsections (1) and (2) of this section. (4) This section does not create or modify: (a) The parents' or legal guardians' right to choose and terminate the services of any family child care provider that provides care for their child or children; (b) The secretary of the department of social and health services' right to adopt requirements under RCW 74.15.030 , except for requirements related to grievance procedures and collective negotiations on personnel matters as specified in subsection (2)(c) of this section; (c) Chapter 26.44 RCW, RCW 43.43.832 , 43.20A.205 , and 74.15.130 ; and (d) The legislature's right to make programmatic modifications to the delivery of state services through child care subsidy programs, including standards of eligibility of parents, legal guardians, and family child care providers participating in child care subsidy programs, and the nature of services provided. The governor shall not enter into, extend, or renew any agreement under this section that does not expressly reserve the legislative rights described in this subsection (4)(d). (5) Upon meeting the requirements of subsection (6) of this section, the governor must submit, as a part of the proposed biennial or supplemental operating budget submitted to the legislature under RCW 43.88.030 , a request for funds necessary to implement the compensation and benefit provisions of a collective bargaining agreement entered into under this section or for legislation necessary to implement such agreement. (6) A request for funds necessary to implement the compensation and benefit provisions of a collective bargaining agreement entered into under this section shall not be submitted by the governor to the legislature unless such request has been: (a) Submitted to the director of financial management by October 1st before the legislative session at which the request is to be considered, except that, for initial negotiations under this section, the request must be submitted by November 15, 2006; and (b) Certified by the director of financial management as being feasible financially for the state or reflects the binding decision of an arbitration panel reached under this section. (7) The legislature must approve or reject the submission of the request for funds as a whole. If the legislature rejects or fails to act on the submission, any such agreement will be reopened solely for the purpose of renegotiating the funds necessary to implement the agreement. (8) The governor shall periodically consult with the joint committee on employment relations established by RCW 41.80.010 regarding appropriations necessary to implement the compensation and benefit provisions of any collective bargaining agreement and, upon completion of negotiations, advise the committee on the elements of the agreement and on any legislation necessary to implement such agreement. (9) After the expiration date of any collective bargaining agreement entered into under this section, all of the terms and conditions specified in any such agreement remain in effect until the effective date of a subsequent agreement, not to exceed one year from the expiration date stated in the agreement, except as provided in subsection (4)(d) of this section. (10) If, after the compensation and benefit provisions of an agreement are approved by the legislature, a significant revenue shortfall occurs resulting in reduced appropriations, as declared by proclamation of the governor or by resolution of the legislature, both parties shall immediately enter into collective bargaining for a mutually agreed upon modification of the agreement. (11) In enacting this section, the legislature intends to provide state action immunity under federal and state antitrust laws for the joint activities of family child care providers and their exclusive bargaining representative to the extent such activities are authorized by this chapter.
RCW 41.08.075 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 08 / Section 075
RCW 41.08.075: Residency as condition of employment—Discrimination because of lack of residency—Prohibited.
Status: in_force

No city, town, or municipality shall require any person applying for or holding an office, place, position, or employment under the provisions of this chapter or under any local charter or other regulations described in RCW 41.08.010 to reside within the limits of such municipal corporation as a condition of employment, or to discriminate in any manner against any such person because of his or her residence outside of the limits of such city, town, or municipality.
RCW 41.32.498 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 32 / Section 498
RCW 41.32.498: Retirement allowance for members entering system after April 25, 1973, or in lieu of allowance under RCW 41.32.497.
Status: in_force

Any person who becomes a member subsequent to April 25, 1973 or who has made the election, provided by RCW 41.32.497 , to receive the benefit provided by this section, shall receive a retirement allowance consisting of: (1) An annuity which shall be the actuarial equivalent of his or her additional contributions on full salary as provided by chapter 274, Laws of 1955 and his or her lump sum payment in excess of the required contribution rate made at date of retirement, pursuant to RCW 41.32.350 , if any; and (2) A combined pension and annuity service retirement allowance which shall be equal to two percent of his or her average earnable compensation for his or her two highest compensated consecutive years of service times the total years of creditable service established with the retirement system, to a maximum of sixty percent of such average earnable compensation: PROVIDED, That any member may irrevocably elect, at time of retirement, to withdraw all or a part of his or her accumulated contributions, other than any amount paid under RCW 41.50.165 (2), and to receive, in lieu of the full retirement allowance provided by this subsection, a reduction in the standard two percent allowance, of the actuarially determined amount of monthly annuity which would have been purchased by said contributions: PROVIDED FURTHER, That no member may withdraw an amount of accumulated contributions which would lower his or her retirement allowance below the minimum allowance provided by RCW 41.32.497 as now or hereafter amended: AND PROVIDED FURTHER, That said reduced amount may be reduced even further pursuant to the options provided in RCW 41.32.530 ; (3) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsections (1) and (2) of this section, the retirement allowance payable for service of a member who was state superintendent of public instruction on January 1, 1973 shall be equal to three percent of the average earnable compensation of his two highest consecutive years of service for each year of such service.
RCW 41.04.670 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 04 / Section 670
RCW 41.04.670: Leave sharing program—Adoption of rules.
Status: in_force

The office of financial management and other personnel authorities shall each adopt rules applicable to employees under their respective jurisdictions: (1) Establishing appropriate parameters for the program which are consistent with the provisions of RCW 41.04.650 through 41.04.665 ; (2) providing for equivalent treatment of employees between their respective jurisdictions and allowing transfers of leave in accordance with RCW 41.04.665 (5); (3) establishing procedures to ensure that the program does not significantly increase the cost of providing leave; and (4) providing for the administration of the program and providing for maintenance and collection of sufficient information on the program to allow a thorough legislative review.
RCW 41.37.100 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 37 / Section 100
RCW 41.37.100: Disability retirement—Criminal conduct.
Status: in_force

A member shall not receive a disability retirement benefit under RCW 41.37.230 if the disability is the result of criminal conduct by the member committed after July 1, 2006.
RCW 41.32.835 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 32 / Section 835
RCW 41.32.835: Choice of membership in plan 2 or plan 3.
Status: in_force

(1) All teachers who first become employed by an employer in an eligible position on or after July 1, 2007, shall have a period of ninety days to make an irrevocable choice to become a member of plan 2 or plan 3. At the end of ninety days, if the member has not made a choice to become a member of plan 2, he or she becomes a member of plan 3 or plan 2 as follows: (a) Becomes a member of plan 3 if first employed by an employer in an eligible position on or after July 1, 2007, but prior to July 1, 2020; (b) Becomes a member of plan 2 if first employed by an employer in an eligible position on or after July 1, 2020. (2) For administrative efficiency, until a member elects to become a member of plan 3, or becomes a member of plan 3 by default under subsection (1) of this section, the member shall be reported to the department in plan 2, with member and employer contributions. Upon becoming a member of plan 3 by election or by default, all service credit shall be transferred to the member's plan 3 defined benefit, and all employee accumulated contributions shall be transferred to the member's plan 3 defined contribution account.
RCW 41.50.137 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 50 / Section 137
RCW 41.50.137: Collection of overpayments—Department may issue subpoenas.
Status: in_force

The department may issue subpoenas to compel the statement of witnesses and the production of any books, records, or documents necessary or relevant to the department's administration of duties under this chapter. It is unlawful for any person or entity, without just cause, to fail to comply with any subpoena issued under this section.
RCW 41.35.220 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 35 / Section 220
RCW 41.35.220: Options for payment of retirement allowances—Court-approved property settlement.
Status: in_force

(1) Upon retirement for service as prescribed in RCW 41.35.420 or 41.35.680 or retirement for disability under RCW 41.35.440 or 41.35.690 , a member shall elect to have the retirement allowance paid pursuant to one of the following options, calculated so as to be actuarially equivalent to each other. (a) Standard allowance. A member electing this option shall receive a retirement allowance payable throughout such member's life. (i) For members of plan 2, if the retiree dies before the total of the retirement allowance paid to such retiree equals the amount of such retiree's accumulated contributions at the time of retirement, then the balance shall be paid to the member's estate, or such person or persons, trust, or organization as the retiree shall have nominated by written designation duly executed and filed with the department; or if there be no such designated person or persons still living at the time of the retiree's death, then to the surviving spouse; or if there be neither such designated person or persons still living at the time of death nor a surviving spouse, then to the retiree's legal representative. (ii) For members of plan 3, upon the death of the retired member, the member's benefits shall cease. (b) The department shall adopt rules that allow a member to select a retirement option that pays the member a reduced retirement allowance and upon death, such portion of the member's reduced retirement allowance as the department by rule designates shall be continued throughout the life of and paid to a person nominated by the member by written designation duly executed and filed with the department at the time of retirement. The options adopted by the department shall include, but are not limited to, a joint and one hundred percent survivor option and a joint and fifty percent survivor option. (2)(a) A member, if married, must provide the written consent of his or her spouse to the option selected under this section, except as provided in (b) and (c) of this subsection. If a member is married and both the member and the member's spouse do not give written consent to an option under this section, the department shall pay a joint and fifty percent survivor benefit calculated to be actuarially equivalent to the benefit options available under subsection (1) of this section unless spousal consent is not required as provided in (b) and (c) of this subsection. (b) Written consent from a spouse or domestic partner is not required if a member who is married or a domestic partner selects a joint and survivor option under subsection (1)(b) of this section and names the member's spouse or domestic partner as the survivor beneficiary. (c) If a copy of a dissolution order designating a survivor beneficiary under RCW 41.50.790 has been filed with the department at least thirty days prior to a member's retirement: (i) The department shall honor the designation as if made by the member under subsection (1) of this section; and (ii) The spousal consent provisions of (a) of this subsection do not apply. (3) No later than July 1, 2001, the department shall adopt rules that allow a member additional actuarially equivalent survivor benefit options, and shall include, but are not limited to: (a)(i) A retired member who retired without designating a survivor beneficiary shall have the opportunity to designate their spouse from a postretirement marriage as a survivor during a one-year period beginning one year after the date of the postretirement marriage provided the retirement allowance payable to the retiree is not subject to periodic payments pursuant to a property division obligation as provided for in RCW 41.50.670 . (ii) A member who entered into a postretirement marriage prior to the effective date of the rules adopted pursuant to this subsection and satisfies the conditions of (a)(i) of this subsection shall have one year to designate their spouse as a survivor beneficiary following the adoption of the rules. (b) A retired member who elected to receive a reduced retirement allowance under this section and designated a nonspouse as survivor beneficiary shall have the opportunity to remove the survivor designation and have their future benefit adjusted. (c) The department may make an additional charge, if necessary, to ensure that the benefits provided under this subsection remain actuarially equivalent. (4) No later than July 1, 2003, the department shall adopt rules to permit: (a) A court-approved property settlement incident to a court decree of dissolution made before retirement to provide that benefits payable to a member of plan 2 who meets the length of service requirements of RCW 41.35.420 , or a member of plan 3 who meets the length of service requirements of RCW 41.35.680 (1), and the member's divorcing spouse be divided into two separate benefits payable over the life of each spouse. The member shall have available the benefit options of subsection (1) of this section upon retirement, and if remarried at the time of retirement remains subject to the spousal consent requirements of subsection (2) of this section. Any reductions of the member's benefit subsequent to the division into two separate benefits shall be made solely to the separate benefit of the member. The nonmember ex spouse shall be eligible to commence receiving their separate benefit upon reaching the ages provided in RCW 41.35.420 (1) for members of plan 2, or RCW 41.35.680 (1) for members of plan 3, and after filing a written application with the department. (b) A court-approved property settlement incident to a court decree of dissolution made after retirement may only divide the benefit into two separate benefits payable over the life of each spouse if the nonmember ex spouse was selected as a survivor beneficiary at retirement. The retired member may later choose the survivor benefit options available in subsection (3) of this section. Any actuarial reductions subsequent to the division into two separate benefits shall be made solely to the separate benefit of the member. Both the retired member and the nonmember divorced spouse shall be eligible to commence receiving their separate benefits upon filing a copy of the dissolution order with the department in accordance with RCW 41.50.670 . (c) The department may make an additional charge or adjustment if necessary to ensure that the separate benefits provided under this subsection are actuarially equivalent to the benefits payable prior to the decree of dissolution. (5) Beginning on the date that the state receives a determination from the federal internal revenue service that this subsection (5) conforms with federal law, retirees have up to ninety calendar days after the receipt of their first retirement allowance to change their survivor election under subsections (1) and (2) of this section. If a member changes the member's survivor election under this subsection the change is effective the first of the following month and is prospective only.
RCW 41.40.200 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 40 / Section 200
RCW 41.40.200: Retirement for disability in line of duty—Applicability to certain judges.
Status: in_force

(1) Subject to the provisions of RCW 41.40.310 and 41.40.320 , upon application of a member, or his or her employer, a member who becomes totally incapacitated for duty as the natural and proximate result of an accident occurring in the actual performance of duty or who becomes totally incapacitated for duty and qualifies to receive benefits under Title 51 RCW as a result of an occupational disease, as now or hereafter defined in RCW 51.08.140 , while in the service of an employer, without willful negligence on his or her part, shall be retired subject to the following conditions: (a) That the medical adviser, after a medical examination of such member made by or under the direction of the medical adviser, shall certify in writing that the member is mentally or physically totally incapacitated for the further performance of his or her duty and that such member should be retired; (b) That the director concurs in the recommendation of the medical adviser; (c) That no application shall be valid or a claim thereunder enforceable unless, in the case of an accident, the claim is filed within two years after the date upon which the injury occurred or, in the case of an occupational disease, the claim is filed within two years after the member separated from service with the employer; and (d) That the coverage provided for occupational disease under this section may be restricted in the future by the legislature for all current and future members. (2) The retirement for disability of a judge, who is a member of the retirement system, by the supreme court under Article IV, section 31 of the Constitution of the state of Washington (Amendment 71), with the concurrence of the director, shall be considered a retirement under subsection (1) of this section.
RCW 41.44.300 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 44 / Section 300
RCW 41.44.300: System abolished—Date—Transfer of assets, liabilities, and responsibilities.
Status: in_force

Notwithstanding any provisions of chapter 41.44 RCW to the contrary, the statewide employees' retirement system shall no longer exist after January 1, 1972, at which time all assets, liabilities, and responsibilities of the statewide city employees' retirement system shall be transferred to and assumed by the Washington public employees' retirement system as provided for in *RCW 41.40.405 through 41.40.407 .
RCW 41.04.520 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 04 / Section 520
RCW 41.04.520: Disability leave supplement for law enforcement officers and firefighters—Employee to perform light duty tasks.
Status: in_force

While an employee is receiving disability leave supplement, the employee, subject to the approval of his or her treating physician, shall perform light duty tasks in the employee's previous department as the employer may require, with no reduction in the disability leave supplement.
RCW 41.40.1987 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 40 / Section 1987
RCW 41.40.1987: Monthly benefit increase.
Status: in_force

*** CHANGE IN 2026 *** (SEE 5862-S.SL ) ***

(1) Beneficiaries who are receiving a monthly benefit from the public employees' retirement system plan 1 on July 1, 2017, shall receive, effective July 1, 2018, an increase to their monthly benefit of one and one-half percent multiplied by the beneficiaries' monthly benefit, not to exceed $62.50. (2) Beneficiaries who are receiving a monthly benefit from the public employees' retirement system plan 1 on July 1, 2019, shall receive, effective July 1, 2020, an increase to their monthly benefit of three percent multiplied by the beneficiaries' monthly benefit, not to exceed $62.50. (3) Beneficiaries who are receiving a monthly benefit from the public employees' retirement system plan 1 on July 1, 2021, shall receive, effective July 1, 2022, an increase to their monthly benefit of three percent multiplied by the beneficiaries' monthly benefit, not to exceed $110.00. (4) Beneficiaries who are receiving a monthly benefit from the public employees' retirement system plan 1 on July 1, 2022, shall receive, effective July 1, 2023, an increase to their monthly benefit of three percent multiplied by the beneficiaries' monthly benefit, not to exceed $110.00. (5) Beneficiaries who are receiving a monthly benefit from the public employees' retirement system plan 1 on July 1, 2023, shall receive, effective July 1, 2024, an increase to their monthly benefit of three percent multiplied by the beneficiaries' monthly benefit, not to exceed $110.00. (6) This section does not apply to those receiving benefits pursuant to RCW 41.40.1984 .
RCW 41.26.135 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 26 / Section 135
RCW 41.26.135: Cessation of disability—Determination.
Status: in_force

*** CHANGE IN 2026 *** (SEE 2034-S2.SL ) ***

(1) A disabled member who believes that his or her disability has ceased in accordance with RCW 41.26.130 (3) may make application to the disability board which originally found the member to be disabled, for a determination that the disability has ceased. (2) Every order of a disability board determining that a member's disability has ceased pursuant to RCW 41.26.130 (3) shall forthwith be reviewed by the director. The director may affirm the decision of the disability board or remand the case for further proceedings if the director finds the disability board's findings, inferences, conclusions, or decisions are: (a) In violation of constitutional provisions; or (b) In excess of the statutory authority or jurisdiction of the disability board; or (c) Made upon unlawful procedure; or (d) Affected by other error of law; or (e) Clearly erroneous in view of the entire record as submitted and the public policy contained in this chapter; or (f) Arbitrary or capricious. (3) Determinations of whether a disability has ceased under RCW 41.26.130 (3) and this section shall be made in accordance with the same procedures and standards governing other cancellations of disability retirement.
RCW 41.20.180 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 20 / Section 180
RCW 41.20.180: Exemption from taxation and judicial process—Exception—Assignability.
Status: in_force

The right of a person to a pension, an annuity, or retirement allowance, or disability allowance, or death benefits, or any optional benefit, or any other right accrued or accruing to any person under the provisions of this chapter, and any fund created hereby, and all moneys and investments and income thereof, are exempt from any state, county, municipal, or other local tax, and shall not be subject to execution, garnishment, attachment, the operation of bankruptcy or insolvency laws, or other process of law whatsoever, whether the same be in actual possession of the person or be deposited or loaned and shall be unassignable: PROVIDED, That benefits under this chapter shall be payable to a spouse or ex-spouse to the extent expressly provided for in any court decree of dissolution or legal separation or in any court order or court-approved property settlement agreement incident to any court decree of dissolution or legal separation.
RCW 41.26.904 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 26 / Section 904
RCW 41.26.904: Effective date—2003 c 2 (Initiative Measure No. 790).
Status: in_force

Except for section 11 of this act, the remainder of this act takes effect July 1, 2003.
RCW 41.34.040 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 34 / Section 040
RCW 41.34.040: Contributions—Rate structures—Annual option.
Status: in_force

(1) A member shall contribute from the member's compensation according to one of the following rate structures in addition to the mandatory minimum five percent: Option A Contribution Rate All Ages 0.0% fixed Option B Up to Age 35 0.0% Age 35 to 44 1.0% Age 45 and above 2.5% Option C Up to Age 35 1.0% Age 35 to 44 2.5% Age 45 and above 3.5% Option D All Ages 2.0% Option E All Ages 5.0% Option F All Ages 10.0% (2) The department shall have the right to offer contribution rate options in addition to those listed in subsection (1) of this section, provided that no significant additional administrative costs are created. All options offered by the department shall conform to the requirements stated in subsections (3) and (5) of this section. (3)(a) For members of the teachers' retirement system entering plan 3 under RCW 41.32.835 or members of the school employees' retirement system entering plan 3 under RCW 41.35.610 , within ninety days of becoming a member the member has an option to choose one of the above contribution rate structures. If the member does not select an option within the ninety-day period, the member shall be assigned option A. (b) For members of the public employees' retirement system entering plan 3 under RCW 41.40.785 , within the ninety days described in RCW 41.40.785 an employee who irrevocably chooses plan 3 shall select one of the above contribution rate structures. If the member does not select an option within the ninety-day period, the member shall be assigned option A. (c) For members of the teachers' retirement system transferring to plan 3 under RCW 41.32.817 , members of the school employees' retirement system transferring to plan 3 under RCW 41.35.510 , or members of the public employees' retirement system transferring to plan 3 under RCW 41.40.795 , upon election to plan 3 the member must choose one of the above contribution rate structures. (d) Within ninety days of the date that an employee changes employers, the member has an option to choose one of the above contribution rate structures. If the member does not select an option within this ninety-day period, the member shall be assigned option A. (4) Each year, through January of 2015, members of plan 3 of the teachers' retirement system may change their contribution rate option by notifying their employer in writing during the month of January. After January of 2015, a member of plan 3 of the teachers' retirement system may only change their contribution rate option under subsection (3)(d) of this section. The termination of this annual contribution rate change option in January 2015 is required to meet the plan qualification requirements in section 401(a) of the internal revenue code. Consistent with plan qualification requirements in the internal revenue code, this annual contribution rate change has never been available to plan 3 members of the public employees' retirement system and the school employees' retirement system. (5) Contributions shall begin the first day of the pay cycle in which the rate option is made, or the first day of the pay cycle in which the end of the ninety-day period occurs. (6) The contribution of plan 3 members is not affected by any reduction in hours worked because of participation of their employer in a shared work program under chapter 50.60 RCW. Plan 3 members shall continue to make contributions as if the member did not incur a reduction in hours through participating in an approved shared work compensation plan under chapter 50.60 RCW.
RCW 41.12.010 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 12 / Section 010
RCW 41.12.010: Application of chapter.
Status: in_force

The provisions of this chapter shall have no application to cities and towns which at the present time have provided for civil service in the police department or which shall subsequently provide for civil service in the police department by local charter or other regulations which said local charter or regulations substantially accomplish the purpose of this chapter, nor to cities having a police force of not more than two persons including the chief of police.
RCW 41.28.040 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 28 / Section 040
RCW 41.28.040: Rates of contribution—Deduction and payment into fund.
Status: in_force

(1) The normal rate of contribution of members shall be those adopted by the board of administration, subject to the approval of the city council or city commission, and for the first five-year period such rates shall be based on sex and on age of entry into the retirement system, which age shall be the age at the birthday nearest the time of entry into the system. The rates so adopted shall remain in full force and effect until revised or changed by the board of administration in the manner provided in RCW 41.28.060 . The normal rates of contribution shall be so fixed as to provide an annuity which, together with the pension provided by the city, shall give as nearly as may be a retirement allowance at the age of sixty-two years of one and one-third percent of the final compensation multiplied by the number of years of service of the retiring employee. The normal rate established for age sixty-one shall be the rate for any member who has attained a greater age before entry into the retirement system. The normal rate of contribution for age twenty shall be the rate for any member who enters the retirement system at an earlier age. (2) Subject to the provision of this chapter, the board of administration shall adopt rules and regulations governing the making of deductions from the compensation of employees and shall certify to the head of each office or department the normal rate of contribution for each member provided for in subdivision (1) of this section. The head of the department shall apply such rate of contribution, and shall certify to the city comptroller on each and every payroll the amount to be contributed and shall furnish immediately to the board a copy of each and every payroll; and each of said amounts shall be deducted by the city comptroller and shall be paid into the retirement fund, hereinafter provided for, and shall be credited by the board together with regular interest to an individual account of the member for whom the contribution was made. Every member shall be deemed to consent and agree to the contribution made and provided for herein, and shall receipt in full for his or her salary or compensation. Payment less said contribution shall be a full and complete discharge of all claims and demands whatsoever for the service rendered by such person during the period covered by such payment, except his or her claim to the benefits to which he or she may be entitled under the provisions of this chapter. (3) At the end of each payroll period, the board shall determine the aggregate amount of the normal contributions for such period, and shall certify such aggregate to the city comptroller, who shall thereupon transfer to the retirement fund, hereinafter provided for, from the money appropriated for that purpose in the budget for the fiscal year, an amount equal to the aggregate normal contributions for the period received from members. (4) Any member may elect to contribute at rates in excess of those provided for in subdivision (1) of this section, for the purpose of providing additional benefits, but the exercise of this privilege by a member shall not place on the city any additional financial obligation. The board of administration, upon application, shall furnish to such member information concerning the nature and amount of additional benefits to be provided by such additional contribution.
RCW 41.06.285 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 06 / Section 285
RCW 41.06.285: Higher education personnel service fund.
Status: in_force

(1) The higher education personnel service fund is created in the state treasury, to be used by the office of financial management as a revolving fund for the payment of salaries, wages, and operations required for the administration of the provisions of this chapter and applicable provisions of chapters 41.04 and 41.60 RCW. An amount not to exceed one-half of one percent of the salaries and wages for all positions in the classified service shall be contributed from the operations appropriations of each institution and the state board for community and technical colleges and credited to the higher education personnel service fund as such allotments are approved pursuant to chapter 43.88 RCW. Subject to the above limitations, such amount shall be charged against the allotments pro rata, at a rate to be fixed by the director of financial management from time to time, which will provide the office of financial management with funds to meet its anticipated expenditures during the allotment period. (2) During the 2025-2027 fiscal biennium, moneys in the account may also be transferred into the state general fund.
RCW 41.20.140 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 20 / Section 140
RCW 41.20.140: Pension payments monthly—Surplus to general fund.
Status: in_force

Payments provided for in this chapter shall be made monthly upon proper vouchers. If at any time there is more money in the fund provided for in this chapter than is necessary for the purposes of this chapter, then such surplus shall be transferred from such fund to the general fund of the city: PROVIDED, That at all times enough money shall be kept in said fund to meet all payments provided for in this chapter.
RCW 41.32.025 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 32 / Section 025
RCW 41.32.025: Department's power to determine eligibility.
Status: in_force

The department is empowered within the limits of this chapter and, with regard to restoration of service credit under RCW 41.50.165 (2), to decide on all questions of eligibility covering membership, service credit, and benefits.
RCW 41.76.090 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 76 / Section 090
RCW 41.76.090: Certain communications—Privilege from examination and disclosure.
Status: in_force

The privilege established by RCW 5.60.060 (11) shall apply to all employee organizations covered by this chapter and in all proceedings authorized by this chapter.
RCW 41.05.330 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 05 / Section 330
RCW 41.05.330: Salary reduction plan—Accounts and records.
Status: in_force

The authority shall keep or cause to be kept full and adequate accounts and records of the assets, obligations, transactions, and affairs of a salary reduction plan created under RCW 41.05.300 .
RCW 41.20.155 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 20 / Section 155
RCW 41.20.155: Return of member's contributions—Applicability.
Status: in_force

The provisions of RCW 41.20.050 , 41.20.060 and 41.20.150 shall be applicable to all members employed on June 12, 1969, and to those who shall thereafter become members, but shall not apply to any former member who has terminated his or her employment prior to June 12, 1969.
RCW 41.37.120 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 37 / Section 120
RCW 41.37.120: False statements—Penalty.
Status: in_force

Any person who knowingly makes any false statements, or falsifies or permits to be falsified any record or records of this retirement system in any attempt to defraud the retirement system as a result of such an act, is guilty of a gross misdemeanor.
RCW 41.05.095 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 05 / Section 095
RCW 41.05.095: Coverage for dependents under the age of twenty-six.
Status: in_force

(1) Any plan offered to employees under this chapter must offer each employee the option of covering any dependent of the employee under the age of twenty-six. (2) Coverage must terminate upon attainment of age twenty-six except in the case of a child who is and continues to be both (a) incapable of self-sustaining employment by reason of a developmental or physical disability and (b) chiefly dependent upon the employee for support and maintenance, provided proof of such incapacity and dependency is furnished by the employee within sixty days of the child's attainment of age twenty-six and subsequently as may be required by the authority, but not more frequently than annually after the two-year period following the child's attainment of age twenty-six.
RCW 41.16.010 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 16 / Section 010
RCW 41.16.010: Definitions.
Status: in_force

For the purpose of this chapter, unless clearly indicated by the context, words and phrases shall have the following meaning: (1) "Beneficiary" shall mean any person or persons designated by a firefighter in a writing filed with the board, and who shall be entitled to receive any benefits of a deceased firefighter under this chapter. (2) "Board" shall mean the municipal firefighters' pension board. (3) "Child or children" shall mean a child or children unmarried and under eighteen years of age. (4) "Contributions" shall mean and include all sums deducted from the salary of firefighters and paid into the fund as hereinafter provided. (5) "Disability" shall mean and include injuries or sickness sustained as a result of the performance of duty. (6) "Fire department" shall mean the regularly organized, full time, paid, and employed force of firefighters of the municipality. (7) "Firefighter" shall mean any person regularly or temporarily, or as a substitute, employed and paid as a member of a fire department, who has passed a civil service examination for firefighter and who is actively employed as a firefighter; and shall include any "prior firefighter." (8) "Fund" shall mean the firefighters' pension fund created herein. (9) "Municipality" shall mean every city, town, and regional fire protection service authority, having a regularly organized full time, paid, fire department employing firefighters. (10) "Performance of duty" shall mean the performance of work and labor regularly required of firefighters and shall include services of an emergency nature rendered while off regular duty, but shall not include time spent in traveling to work before answering roll call or traveling from work after dismissal at roll call. (11) "Prior firefighter" shall mean a firefighter who was actively employed as a firefighter of a fire department prior to the first day of January, 1947, and who continues such employment thereafter. (12) "Retired firefighter" shall mean and include a person employed as a firefighter and retired under the provisions of chapter 50, Laws of 1909, as amended. (13) "Widow or widower" means the surviving wife, husband, or state registered domestic partner of a retired firefighter who was retired on account of length of service and who was lawfully married to, or in a state registered domestic partnership with, such firefighter; and whenever that term is used with reference to the wife or former wife, husband or former husband, or current or former state registered domestic partner of a retired firefighter who was retired because of disability, it shall mean his or her lawfully married wife, husband, or state registered domestic partner on the date he or she sustained the injury or contracted the illness that resulted in his or her disability. Said term shall not mean or include a surviving wife, husband, or state registered domestic partner who by process of law within one year prior to the retired firefighter's death, collected or attempted to collect from him or her funds for the support of herself or himself or for his or her children.
RCW 41.35.630 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 35 / Section 630
RCW 41.35.630: Additional payment.
Status: in_force

(1) Anyone who requests to transfer under RCW 41.35.510 before March 1, 2001, and establishes service credit for January 2001, shall have their member account increased by one hundred thirty percent of: (a) The member's public employees' retirement system plan 2 accumulated contributions as of January 1, 2000, less fifty percent of any payments made pursuant to RCW 41.50.165 (2); or (b) All amounts withdrawn after January 1, 2000, which are completely restored before March 1, 2001. (2) If a member who requests to transfer dies before January 1, 2001, the additional payment provided by this section shall be paid to the member's estate, or the person or persons, trust, or organization the member nominated by written designation duly executed and filed with the department. (3) The legislature reserves the right to modify or discontinue the right to an additional payment under this section for any plan 2 members who have not previously transferred to plan 3.
RCW 41.35.140 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 35 / Section 140
RCW 41.35.140: Hearing prior to appeal required—Notice.
Status: in_force

Any person aggrieved by any decision of the department affecting his or her legal rights, duties, or privileges must, before he or she appeals to the courts, file with the director by mail or personally within sixty days from the day the decision was communicated to the person, a notice for a hearing before the director's designee. The notice of hearing shall set forth in full detail the grounds upon which the person considers the decision unjust or unlawful and shall include every issue to be considered by the department, and it must contain a detailed statement of facts upon which the person relies in support of the appeal. These persons shall be deemed to have waived all objections or irregularities concerning the matter on which the appeal is taken, other than those specifically set forth in the notice of hearing or appearing in the records of the retirement system.
RCW 41.35.900 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 35 / Section 900
RCW 41.35.900: Benefits not contractual right until September 1, 2000.
Status: in_force

The benefits provided pursuant to chapter 341, Laws of 1998 are not provided to employees as a matter of contractual right prior to September 1, 2000. The legislature retains the right to alter or abolish these benefits at any time prior to September 1, 2000.
RCW 41.04.273 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 04 / Section 273
RCW 41.04.273: Prohibition of retirement benefits passing to slayer or abuser beneficiary—Determination by department of retirement systems—Duties upon notice—Payment upon verdicts—Admissibility of evidence—Immunity.
Status: in_force

(1) For purposes of this section, the following definitions shall apply: (a) "Abuser" has the same meaning as provided in RCW 11.84.010 . (b) "Decedent" means any person who is entitled to benefits from the Washington state department of retirement systems by written designation or by operation of law: (i) Whose life is taken by a slayer; or (ii) Who is deceased and who, at any time during life in which he or she was a vulnerable adult, was the victim of financial exploitation by an abuser, except as provided in RCW 11.84.170 . (c) "Slayer" means a slayer as defined in RCW 11.84.010 . (2) Property that would have passed to or for the benefit of a beneficiary under one of the retirement systems listed in RCW 41.50.030 shall not pass to that beneficiary if the beneficiary was a slayer or abuser of the decedent and the property shall be distributed as if the slayer or abuser had predeceased the decedent. (3) A slayer or abuser is deemed to have predeceased the decedent as to property which, by designation or by operation of law, would have passed from the decedent to the slayer or abuser because of the decedent's entitlement to benefits under one of the retirement systems listed in RCW 41.50.030 . (4)(a) The department of retirement systems has no affirmative duty to determine whether a beneficiary is, or is alleged to be, a slayer or abuser. However, upon receipt of written notice that a beneficiary is a defendant in a civil lawsuit or probate proceeding that alleges the beneficiary is a slayer or abuser, or is charged with a crime that, if committed, means the beneficiary is a slayer or abuser, the department of retirement systems shall determine whether the beneficiary is a defendant in such a civil proceeding or has been formally charged in court with the crime, or both. If so, the department shall withhold payment of any benefits until: (i) The case or charges, or both if both are pending, are dismissed; (ii) The beneficiary is found not guilty in the criminal case or prevails in the civil proceeding, or both if both are pending; or (iii) The beneficiary is convicted or is found to be a slayer or abuser in the civil proceeding. (b) If the case or charges, or both if both are pending, are dismissed or if a beneficiary is found not guilty or prevails in the civil proceeding, or both if both are pending, the department shall pay the beneficiary the benefits the beneficiary is entitled to receive. If the beneficiary is convicted or found to be a slayer or abuser in a civil proceeding, the department shall distribute the benefits according to subsection (2) of this section. (5) Any record of conviction for having participated in the willful and unlawful killing of the decedent or for conduct constituting financial exploitation against the decedent, including but not limited to theft, forgery, fraud, identity theft, robbery, burglary, or extortion, shall be admissible in evidence against a claimant of property in any civil action arising under this section. (6) In the absence of a criminal conviction, a superior court may determine: (a) By a preponderance of the evidence whether a person participated in the willful and unlawful killing of the decedent; (b) By clear, cogent, and convincing evidence whether a person participated in conduct constituting financial exploitation against the decedent, as provided in chapter 11.84 RCW. (7) This section shall not subject the department of retirement systems to liability for payment made to a slayer or abuser or alleged slayer or abuser, prior to the department's receipt of written notice that the slayer or abuser has been convicted of, or the alleged slayer or abuser has been formally criminally or civilly charged in court with, the death or financial exploitation of the decedent. If the conviction or civil judgment of a slayer or abuser is reversed on appeal, the department of retirement systems shall not be liable for payment made prior to the receipt of written notice of the reversal to a beneficiary other than the person whose conviction or civil judgment is reversed.
RCW 41.37.135 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 37 / Section 135
RCW 41.37.135: Hearing prior to appeal required—Conduct of hearing.
Status: in_force

Following its receipt of a notice for hearing in accordance with RCW 41.37.130 , a hearing shall be held by the director or an authorized representative, in the county of the residence of the claimant at a time and place designated by the director. This hearing shall be conducted and governed in all respects by chapter 34.05 RCW.
RCW 41.18.165 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 18 / Section 165
RCW 41.18.165: Credit for membership in private organization acquired by municipality.
Status: in_force

Every person who was a member of a firefighting organization operated by a private enterprise, which firefighting organization shall be hereafter acquired before September 1, 1959, by a municipality as its fire department as a matter of public convenience or necessity, where it is in the public interest to retain the trained personnel of such firefighting organization, shall have added and accredited to his or her period of employment as a firefighter his or her period of service with said private enterprise, except that this shall apply only to those persons who are in the service of such firefighting organization at the time of its acquisition by the municipality and who remain in the service of that municipality until this chapter shall become applicable to such persons. No such person shall have added and accredited to his or her period of employment as a firefighter his or her period of service with said private enterprise unless he, she, or a third party shall pay to the municipality his or her contribution for the period of such service with the private enterprise at the rate provided in RCW 41.18.030 , or, if he or she shall be entitled to any private pension or retirement benefits as a result of such service with the private enterprise, unless he or she agrees at the time of his or her employment by the municipality to accept a reduction in the payment of any benefits payable under this chapter that are based in whole or in part on such added and accredited service by the amount of those private pension or retirement benefits received. For the purposes of RCW 41.18.030 , the date of entry of service shall be deemed the date of entry into service with the private enterprise, which service is accredited by this section, and the amount of contributions for the period of accredited service shall be based on the wages or salary of such person during that added and accredited period of service with the private enterprise. The city may receive payments for these purposes from a third party and shall make from such payments contributions with respect to such prior service as may be necessary to enable the fund to assume its obligations.
RCW 41.32.892 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 32 / Section 892
RCW 41.32.892: Restored, purchased service credit under plan 2—Transfer to plan 3.
Status: in_force

(1) Any member who elects to transfer to plan 3 and has eligible unrestored withdrawn contributions in plan 2, may restore such contributions under the provisions of RCW 41.32.825 (1) with interest as determined by the department. The restored plan 2 service credit will be automatically transferred to plan 3. Restoration payments will be transferred to the member account in plan 3. If the member fails to meet the time limitations of RCW 41.32.825 (1), they may restore such contributions under the provisions of RCW 41.50.165 (2). The restored plan 2 service credit will be automatically transferred to plan 3. One-half of the restoration payments under RCW 41.50.165 (2) plus interest shall be allocated to the member's account. (2) Any member who elects to transfer to plan 3 may purchase plan 2 service credit under RCW 41.32.810 (3). Purchased plan 2 service credit will be automatically transferred to plan 3. Contributions on behalf of the employer paid by the employee shall be allocated to the defined benefit portion of plan 3 and shall not be refundable when paid to the fund described in RCW 41.50.075 (2). Contributions on behalf of the employee shall be allocated to the member account. If the member fails to meet the time limitations of RCW 41.32.810 (3), they may subsequently restore such contributions under the provisions of RCW 41.50.165 (2). Purchased plan 2 service credit will be automatically transferred to plan 3. One-half of the payments under RCW 41.50.165 (2), plus interest, shall be allocated to the member's account.
RCW 41.32.790 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 32 / Section 790
RCW 41.32.790: Earned disability allowance—Eligibility—Disposition upon death of recipient.
Status: in_force

(1) A member of the retirement system who becomes totally incapacitated for continued employment by an employer as determined by the department upon recommendation of the department shall be eligible to receive an allowance under the provisions of RCW 41.32.755 through 41.32.825 . The member shall receive a monthly disability allowance computed as provided for in RCW 41.32.760 and shall have the allowance actuarially reduced to reflect the difference in the number of years between age at disability and the attainment of age sixty-five. Any member who receives an allowance under the provisions of this section shall be subject to comprehensive medical examinations as required by the department. If medical examinations reveal that a member has recovered from the incapacitating disability and the member is offered reemployment by an employer at a comparable compensation, the member shall cease to be eligible for the allowance. (2)(a) If the recipient of a monthly retirement allowance under this section dies before the total of the retirement allowance paid to the recipient equals the amount of the accumulated contributions at the date of retirement, then the balance shall be paid to the member's estate, or the person or persons, trust, or organization as the recipient has nominated by written designation duly executed and filed with the director, or, if there is no designated person or persons still living at the time of the recipient's death, then to the surviving spouse, or, if there is neither a designated person or persons still living at the time of his or her death nor a surviving spouse, then to his or her legal representative. (b) If a recipient of a monthly retirement allowance under this section died before April 27, 1989, and before the total of the retirement allowance paid to the recipient equaled the amount of his or her accumulated contributions at the date of retirement, then the department shall pay the balance of the accumulated contributions to the member's surviving spouse or, if there is no surviving spouse, then in equal shares to the member's children. If there is no surviving spouse or children, the department shall retain the contributions.
RCW 41.06.162 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 06 / Section 162
RCW 41.06.162: State salary schedule.
Status: in_force

The director of financial management shall adopt and maintain a state salary schedule. Such adoption and revision is subject to approval by the director in accordance with chapter 43.88 RCW.
RCW 41.40.932 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 40 / Section 932
RCW 41.40.932: Subchapter headings not law—2000 c 247.
Status: in_force

Subchapter headings in this act are not any part of the law.
RCW 41.16.080 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 16 / Section 080
RCW 41.16.080: Retirement for service.
Status: in_force

Any firefighter employed in a fire department on and before the first day of January, 1947, hereinafter in this section and RCW 41.16.090 to 41.16.190 inclusive, referred to as "firefighter," and who shall have served twenty-five or more years and having attained the age of fifty-five years, as a member of the fire department, shall be eligible for retirement and shall be retired by the board upon his or her written request. Upon his or her retirement any firefighter shall be paid a pension based upon the average monthly salary drawn for the five calendar years before retirement, the number of years of his or her service and a percentage factor based upon his or her age on entering service, as follows: Entrance age at Salary last birthday percentage factor 20 and under. . . . 1.50% 21 . . . . 1.55% 22 . . . . 1.60% 23 . . . . 1.65% 24 . . . . 1.70% 25 . . . . 1.75% 26 . . . . 1.80% 27 . . . . 1.85% 28 . . . . 1.90% 29 . . . . 1.95% 30 and over. . . . 2.00% Said monthly pension shall be in the amount of his or her average monthly salary for the five calendar years before retirement, times the number of years of service, times the applicable percentage factor.
RCW 41.26.725 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 26 / Section 725
RCW 41.26.725: Board of trustees—Contributions—Minimum and increased benefits.
Status: in_force

(1) The board of trustees shall establish contributions as set forth in this section. The cost of the minimum benefits as defined in this plan shall be funded on the following ratio: Employee contributions 50% Employer contributions 30% State contributions 20% (2) The minimum benefits shall constitute a contractual obligation of the state and the contributing employers and may not be reduced below the levels in effect on July 1, 2003. The state and the contributing employers shall maintain the minimum benefits on a sound actuarial basis in accordance with the actuarial standards adopted by the board. (3) Increased benefits created as provided for in RCW 41.26.720 are granted on a basis not to exceed the contributions provided for in this section. In addition to the contributions necessary to maintain the minimum benefits, for any increased benefits provided for by the board, the employee contribution shall not exceed fifty percent of the actuarial cost of the benefit. In no instance shall the employee cost exceed ten percent of covered payroll without the consent of a majority of the affected employees. Employer contributions shall not exceed thirty percent of the cost, but in no instance shall the employer contribution exceed six percent of covered payroll. State contributions shall not exceed twenty percent of the cost, but in no instance shall the state contribution exceed four percent of covered payroll. Employer contributions may not be increased above the maximum under this section without the consent of the governing body of the employer. State contributions may not be increased above the maximum provided for in this section without the consent of the legislature. In the event that the cost of maintaining the increased benefits on a sound actuarial basis exceeds the aggregate contributions provided for in this section, the board shall submit to the affected members of the plan the option of paying the increased costs or of having the increased benefits reduced to a level sufficient to be maintained by the aggregate contributions. The reduction of benefits in accordance with this section shall not be deemed a violation of the contractual rights of the members, provided that no reduction may result in benefits being lower than the level of the minimum benefits. (4) The board shall manage the trust in a manner that maintains reasonable contributions and administrative costs. Providing additional benefits to members and beneficiaries is the board's priority.
RCW 41.40.730 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 40 / Section 730
RCW 41.40.730: Refund of contributions.
Status: in_force

A member who ceases to be an employee of an employer except by service or disability retirement may request a refund of the member's accumulated contributions. The refund shall be made within ninety days following the receipt of the request and notification of termination through the contribution reporting system by the employer; except that in the case of death, an initial payment shall be made within thirty days of receipt of request for such payment and notification of termination through the contribution reporting system by the employer. A member who files a request for refund and subsequently enters into employment with another employer prior to the refund being made shall not be eligible for a refund. The refund of accumulated contributions shall terminate all rights to benefits under RCW 41.40.610 through 41.40.740 .
RCW 41.44.100 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 44 / Section 100
RCW 41.44.100: Retirement fund—Deposit—Investment—Cost.
Status: in_force

(1) A fund is hereby created and established to be known as the "statewide city employees retirement fund," and shall consist of all moneys paid into it in accordance with the provisions of this chapter, whether such moneys shall take the form of cash, securities, or other assets: PROVIDED, That such assets shall be public funds to the extent necessary to authorize any bank to deposit such collateral security necessary and required under the laws of the state to secure the deposit of public funds belonging to a city. (2) The board of trustees shall be the custodian of the retirement fund and shall arrange for the safekeeping thereof. Subject to such provisions as may be prescribed by law for the deposit of city funds in banks, cash belonging to the retirement fund may be deposited in any licensed national bank or banks in the state, or in any bank, banks or corporations authorized or licensed to do a banking business and organized under the laws of the state of Washington; and may be withdrawn on order of the board for the purpose of making such payments as are authorized and required by this chapter. (3) The board may invest pension fund moneys in such securities of the United States, states, Dominion of Canada, public housing authorities, municipal corporations and other public bodies, as are designated by the laws of the state as lawful investments for the funds of mutual savings banks, and to invest not to exceed twenty-five percent of the system's total investments in the securities of any corporations or public utility bodies as are designated by the laws of the state as lawful investments for the funds of mutual savings banks: PROVIDED, That not more than five percent of the system's total investments may be made in the securities of any one of such corporations or public utility bodies. (4) Subject to the limitations hereinafter provided, investment of pension funds may also be made in amounts not to exceed twenty-five percent of the system's total investments in the shares of certain open-end investment companies: PROVIDED, That not more than five percent of the system's total investments may be made in the shares of any one such open-end investment company. The total amount invested in any one company shall not exceed five percent of the assets of such company, and shall only be made in the shares of such companies as are registered as "open-end companies" under the federal investment company act of 1940, as amended. Such company must be at least ten years old and have net assets of at least five million dollars. It must have no outstanding bonds, debentures, notes, or other evidences of indebtedness, or any stock having priority over the shares being purchased, either as to distribution of assets or payment of dividends. It must have paid dividends from investment income in each of the ten years next preceding purchase. The maximum selling commission on its shares may not exceed seven and one-half percent of the sum of the asset value plus such commission. (5) Investment of pension funds may also be made in the bonds of any municipal corporation or other public body of the state; and in any of the bonds or warrants, including local improvement bonds or warrants within the protection of the local improvement guaranty fund law, issued by any city or town which is a member of the system. Investment of pension funds may also be made in the bonds or other obligations of any other state or territory of the United States or of any political subdivision, agency or instrumentality of any such state, territory, or political subdivision thereof. Investment of pension funds may also be made in bonds or other obligations insured or guaranteed or which are covered by a repurchase agreement in whole or in part by the federal government or through any corporation, administrator, agency or instrumentality which is or hereafter may be created by the federal government. (6) In order to provide for an equitable apportionment of the cost of the making and handling of the system's investments, the board may charge against the annual earnings from the system's investments, including income from the same and gains realized from the purchase and sale of its securities, a portion of such earnings computed on the book value of the investments held by the system at the end of its fiscal year, for the purpose of paying the cost of purchasing, safekeeping, servicing and handling its securities: PROVIDED, That such portion shall not exceed one-half of one percent of such value and shall not exceed the net gain from the operations for the year: PROVIDED FURTHER, That such charge shall not be considered as an administrative expense payable solely by the cities.
RCW 41.05.183 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 05 / Section 183
RCW 41.05.183: General anesthesia services for dental procedures—Public employee benefit plans.
Status: in_force

(1) Each employee benefit plan offered to public employees that provides coverage for hospital, medical, or ambulatory surgery center services must cover general anesthesia services and related facility charges in conjunction with any dental procedure performed in a hospital or ambulatory surgical center if such anesthesia services and related facility charges are medically necessary because the covered person: (a) Is under the age of seven, or physically or developmentally disabled, with a dental condition that cannot be safely and effectively treated in a dental office; or (b) Has a medical condition that the person's physician determines would place the person at undue risk if the dental procedure were performed in a dental office. The procedure must be approved by the person's physician. (2) Each employee benefit plan offered to public employees that provides coverage for dental services must cover general anesthesia services in conjunction with any covered dental procedure performed in a dental office if the general anesthesia services are medically necessary because the covered person is under the age of seven or physically or developmentally disabled. (3) This section does not prohibit an employee benefit plan from: (a) Applying cost-sharing requirements, maximum annual benefit limitations, and prior authorization requirements to the services required under this section; or (b) Covering only those services performed by a health care provider, or in a health care facility, that is part of its provider network; nor does it limit the authority in negotiating rates and contracts with specific providers. (4) This section does not apply to medicare supplement policies, or supplemental contracts covering a specified disease or other limited benefits. (5) For the purpose of this section, "general anesthesia services" means services to induce a state of unconsciousness accompanied by a loss of protective reflexes, including the ability to maintain an airway independently and respond purposefully to physical stimulation or verbal command. (6) This section applies to employee benefit plans issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2002.
RCW 41.12.200 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 12 / Section 200
RCW 41.12.200: Appropriation for expenses.
Status: in_force

For the purpose of carrying out the provisions of this chapter, such city, town or municipality is hereby authorized to appropriate from the general fund not to exceed four-tenths of one percent of the total payroll of those included under the jurisdiction and scope of the chapter: PROVIDED, HOWEVER, That if the city council or other proper legislative body shall make an appropriation for the support of said commission equal to or more than the said continuing appropriation in any year, this section shall not be operative for said year but otherwise shall be in full force and effect.
RCW 41.20.085 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 20 / Section 085
RCW 41.20.085: Pension on death before or after retirement—Surviving spouse not formerly covered—"Surviving spouse" defined.
Status: in_force

Whenever any member of the police department of any such city shall die, or shall have heretofore died, or whenever any such member who has been heretofore retired or who is hereafter retired for length of service or a disability, shall have died, or shall die, leaving a surviving spouse or child or children under the age of eighteen years, upon satisfactory proof of such facts made to it, the board shall order and direct that a pension equal to one-third of the amount of salary at any time hereafter attached to the position held by such member in the police department at the time of his or her death or retirement, not to exceed one-third of the salary of captain, shall be paid to the surviving spouse during the surviving spouse's life, and in addition, to the child or children, until they are eighteen years of age, as follows: For one child, one-eighth of the salary on which such pension is based; for two children, a total of one-seventh of said salary; and for three or more children, a total of one-sixth of said salary: PROVIDED, If such spouse or child or children marry, the person so marrying shall receive no further pension from the fund. In case there is no surviving spouse, or if the surviving spouse shall die, the child or children shall be entitled to the spouse's share in addition to the share specified herein until they reach eighteen years of age. No spouse shall be entitled to any payments on the death of a retired officer unless such surviving spouse has been married to such officer for a period of at least five years prior to the date of his or her retirement. As of April 25, 1973, a surviving spouse not otherwise covered by the provisions of section 2, chapter 78, Laws of 1959, shall be entitled to a pension of three hundred dollars per month. "Surviving spouse" as used in this section means surviving female or male spouse.
RCW 41.05.550 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 05 / Section 550
RCW 41.05.550: Prescription drug assistance foundation—Nonprofit and tax-exempt corporation—Definitions—Liability.
Status: in_force

(1) The definitions in this subsection apply throughout this section unless the context clearly requires otherwise. (a) "Federal poverty level" means the official poverty level based on family size established and adjusted under section 673(2) of the omnibus budget reconciliation act of 1981 (P.L. 97-35; 42 U.S.C. Sec. 9902(2), as amended). (b) "Foundation" means the prescription drug assistance foundation established in this section, a nonprofit corporation organized under the laws of this state to provide assistance in accessing prescription drugs to qualified uninsured individuals. (c) "Health insurance coverage including prescription drugs" means prescription drug coverage under a private insurance plan, including a plan offered through the health benefit exchange under chapter 43.71 RCW, the medicaid program, the state children's health insurance program ("SCHIP"), the medicare program, the basic health plan, or any employer-sponsored health plan that includes a prescription drug benefit. (d) "Qualified uninsured individual" means an uninsured person or an underinsured person who is a resident of this state and whose income meets financial criteria established by the foundation. (e) "Underinsured" means an individual who has health insurance coverage including prescription drugs, but for whom the prescription drug coverage is inadequate for their needs. (f) "Uninsured" means an individual who lacks health insurance coverage including prescription drugs. (2)(a) The director shall establish the foundation as a nonprofit corporation, organized under the laws of this state. The foundation shall assist qualified uninsured individuals in obtaining prescription drugs at little or no cost. (b) The foundation shall be administered in a manner that: (i) Begins providing assistance to qualified uninsured individuals by January 1, 2006; (ii) Defines the population that may receive assistance in accordance with this section; and (iii) Complies with the eligibility requirements necessary to obtain and maintain tax-exempt status under federal law. (c) The board of directors of the foundation consists of up to eleven with a minimum of five members appointed by the governor to staggered terms of three years. The governor shall select as members of the board individuals who (i) will represent the interests of persons who lack prescription drug coverage; and (ii) have demonstrated expertise in business management and in the administration of a not-for-profit organization. (d) The foundation shall apply for and comply with all federal requirements necessary to obtain and maintain tax-exempt status with respect to the federal tax obligations of the foundation's donors. (e) The foundation is authorized, subject to the direction and ratification of the board, to receive, solicit, contract for, collect, and hold in trust for the purposes of this section, donations, gifts, grants, and bequests in the form of money paid or promised, services, materials, equipment, or other things tangible or intangible that may be useful for helping the foundation to achieve its purpose. The foundation may use all sources of public and private financing to support foundation activities. No general fund-state funds shall be used for the ongoing operation of the foundation. (f) No liability on the part of, and no cause of action of any nature, shall arise against any member of the board of directors of the foundation or against an employee or agent of the foundation for any lawful action taken by them in the performance of their administrative powers and duties under this section.
RCW 41.26.3903 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 26 / Section 3903
RCW 41.26.3903: Effective date—1969 ex.s. c 209.
Status: in_force

*** CHANGE IN 2026 *** (SEE 2034-S2.SL ) ***

*This 1969 amendatory act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health and safety, the support of the state government and its existing public institutions and shall take effect on July 1, 1969.
RCW 41.24.020 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 24 / Section 020
RCW 41.24.020: Enrollment of firefighters—Death, disability, retirement benefits.
Status: in_force

(1) Every municipal corporation maintaining and operating a regularly organized fire department shall make provision by appropriate legislation for the enrollment of every firefighter under the relief provisions of this chapter for the purpose of providing protection for all its firefighters and their families from death, sickness, injury, or disability arising in the performance of their duties as firefighters. Nothing in this chapter shall prohibit any municipality from providing such additional protection for relief as it may deem proper. (2) Any municipal corporation maintaining and operating a regularly organized fire department may make provision by appropriate legislation allowing any member of its fire department to enroll under the retirement pension provisions of this chapter. (3) Every municipal corporation shall make provisions for the collection and payment of the fees provided under this chapter, and shall continue to make such provisions for all firefighters who come under this chapter as long as they shall continue to be members of its fire department.All compensation shall be payable in monthly installments and shall be audited and paid as any other claim against the military department and shall be payable from the general fund out of any moneys not otherwise appropriated.
RCW 41.50.210 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 50 / Section 210
RCW 41.50.210: Medical director.
Status: in_force

The director shall designate a medical director. If required, other physicians may be employed to report on special cases. The medical director shall arrange for and pass upon all medical examinations required under the provisions of chapter 41.32 RCW, investigate all essential statements and certificates by or on behalf of a member in connection with an application for a disability allowance, and report in writing to the board of trustees the conclusions and recommendations upon all matters under referral.
RCW 41.56.111 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 56 / Section 111
RCW 41.56.111: Application of chapter to passenger-only ferry employees.
Status: in_force

In addition to the entities listed in *RCW 41.56.101 , this chapter does apply to: (1) Public employees of public transportation benefit areas providing passenger-only ferry service as provided in RCW 47.64.090 ; and (2) Public employees of ferry districts providing passenger-only ferry service as provided in RCW 47.64.090 .
RCW 41.31A.020 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 31A / Section 020
RCW 41.31A.020: Extraordinary investment gain—Credited to member accounts—Persons eligible—Calculation of amount—Contractual right not granted.
Status: in_force

(1) On January 1, 2004, and on January 1st of even-numbered years thereafter, the member account of a person meeting the requirements of this section shall be credited by the extraordinary investment gain amount. (2) The following persons , hired prior to July 1, 2007, shall be eligible for the benefit provided in subsection (1) of this section: (a) Any member of the teachers' retirement system plan 3, the Washington school employees' retirement system plan 3, or the public employees' retirement system plan 3 who earned service credit during the twelve-month period from September 1st to August 31st immediately preceding the distribution and had a balance of at least one thousand dollars in their member account on August 31st of the year immediately preceding the distribution; or (b) Any person in receipt of a benefit pursuant to RCW 41.32.875 , 41.35.680 , or 41.40.820 ; or (c) Any person who is a retiree pursuant to *RCW 41.34.020 (8) and who: (i) Completed ten service credit years; or (ii) Completed five service credit years, including twelve service months after attaining age fifty-four; or (d) Any teacher who is a retiree pursuant to *RCW 41.34.020 (8) and who has completed five service credit years by July 1, 1996, under plan 2 and who transferred to plan 3 under RCW 41.32.817 ; or (e) Any classified employee who is a retiree pursuant to *RCW 41.34.020 (8) and who has completed five service credit years by September 1, 2000, and who transferred to plan 3 under RCW 41.35.510 ; or (f) Any public employee who is a retiree pursuant to *RCW 41.34.020 (8) and who has completed five service credit years by March 1, 2002, and who transferred to plan 3 under RCW 41.40.795 ; or (g) Any person who had a balance of at least one thousand dollars in their member account on August 31st of the year immediately preceding the distribution and who: (i) Completed ten service credit years; or (ii) Completed five service credit years, including twelve service months after attaining age fifty-four; or (h) Any teacher who had a balance of at least one thousand dollars in their member account on August 31st of the year immediately preceding the distribution and who has completed five service credit years by July 1, 1996, under plan 2 and who transferred to plan 3 under RCW 41.32.817 ; or (i) Any classified employee who had a balance of at least one thousand dollars in their member account on August 31st of the year immediately preceding the distribution and who has completed five service credit years by September 1, 2000, and who transferred to plan 3 under RCW 41.35.510 ; or (j) Any public employee who had a balance of at least one thousand dollars in their member account on August 31st of the year immediately preceding the distribution and who has completed five service credit years by March 1, 2002, and who transferred to plan 3 under RCW 41.40.795 . (3) The extraordinary investment gain amount shall be calculated as follows: (a) One-half of the sum of the value of the net assets held in trust for pension benefits in the teachers' retirement system combined plan 2 and 3 fund, the Washington school employees' retirement system combined plan 2 and 3 fund, and the public employees' retirement system combined plan 2 and 3 fund at the close of the previous state fiscal year not including the amount attributable to member accounts; (b) Multiplied by the amount which the compound average of investment returns on those assets over the previous four state fiscal years exceeds ten percent; (c) Multiplied by the proportion of: (i) The sum of the service credit on August 31st of the previous year of all persons eligible for the benefit provided in subsection (1) of this section; to (ii) The sum of the service credit on August 31st of the previous year of: (A) All persons eligible for the benefit provided in subsection (1) of this section; (B) Any person who earned service credit in the teachers' retirement system plan 2, the Washington school employees' retirement system plan 2, or the public employees' retirement system plan 2 during the twelve-month period from September 1st to August 31st immediately preceding the distribution; (C) Any person in receipt of a benefit pursuant to RCW 41.32.765 , 41.35.420 , or 41.40.630 ; and (D) Any person with five or more years of service in the teachers' retirement system plan 2, the Washington school employees' retirement system plan 2, or the public employees' retirement system plan 2; (d) Divided proportionally among persons eligible for the benefit provided in subsection (1) of this section on the basis of their service credit total on August 31st of the previous year. (4) The legislature reserves the right to amend or repeal this section in the future and no member or beneficiary has a contractual right to receive this distribution not granted prior to that time.
RCW 41.80.083 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 80 / Section 083
RCW 41.80.083: Application of RCW 41.56.067—Bargaining representative access to new employees.
Status: in_force

*RCW 41.56.067 applies to this chapter.
RCW 41.50.170 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 50 / Section 170
RCW 41.50.170: Notification of restoration rights.
Status: in_force

Upon termination for reasons other than retirement, the department shall inform a member withdrawing his or her contributions, and the member shall acknowledge in writing, of the right to restore such contributions upon reestablishment of membership in the respective retirement system and the requirements involved in such restoration.
RCW 41.32.865 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 32 / Section 865
RCW 41.32.865: Service credit for paid leave of absence, officers of labor organizations, unpaid leave of absence, military service.
Status: in_force

(1) A member who is on a paid leave of absence authorized by a member's employer shall continue to receive service credit. (2) A member who receives compensation from an employer while on an authorized leave of absence to serve as an elected official of a labor organization, and whose employer is reimbursed by the labor organization for the compensation paid to the member during the period of absence, may also be considered to be on a paid leave of absence. This subsection shall only apply if the member's leave of absence is authorized by a collective bargaining agreement that provides that the member retains seniority rights with the employer during the period of leave. The earnable compensation reported for a member who establishes service credit under this subsection may not be greater than the salary paid to the highest paid job class covered by the collective bargaining agreement. (3) Except as specified in subsection (4) of this section, a member shall be eligible to receive a maximum of two years service credit during a member's entire working career for those periods when a member is on an unpaid leave of absence authorized by an employer. Such credit may be obtained only if: (a) The member makes the contribution on behalf of the employer, plus interest, as determined by the department; and (b) The member makes the employee contribution, plus interest, as determined by the department, to the defined contribution portion. The contributions required shall be based on the average of the member's earnable compensation at both the time the authorized leave of absence was granted and the time the member resumed employment. (4) A member who leaves the employ of an employer to enter the uniformed services of the United States shall be entitled to retirement system service credit for up to five years of military service if within ninety days of the member's honorable discharge from the uniformed services of the United States, the member applies for reemployment with the employer who employed the member immediately prior to the member entering the uniformed services. This subsection shall be administered in a manner consistent with the requirements of the federal uniformed services employment and reemployment rights act. The department shall establish the member's service credit and shall bill the employer for its contribution required under chapter 239, Laws of 1995 for the period of military service, plus interest as determined by the department. Service credit under this subsection may be obtained only if the member makes the employee contribution to the defined contribution portion as determined by the department, or prior to retirement, the member provides to the director proof that the member's interruptive military service was during a period of war as defined in RCW 41.04.005 . Any member who made payments for service credit for interruptive military service during a period of war as defined in RCW 41.04.005 may, prior to retirement and on a form provided by the department, request a refund of the funds standing to his or her credit for up to five years of such service, and this amount shall be paid to him or her. Members with one or more periods of interruptive military service during a period of war may receive no more than five years of free retirement system service credit under this subsection. The contributions required shall be based on the compensation the member would have earned if not on leave, or if that cannot be estimated with reasonable certainty, the compensation reported for the member in the year prior to when the member went on military leave. (a) The surviving spouse or eligible child or children of a member who left the employ of an employer to enter the uniformed services of the United States and died while serving in the uniformed services may, on behalf of the deceased member, apply for retirement system service credit under this subsection up to the date of the member's death in the uniformed services. The department shall establish the deceased member's service credit if the surviving spouse or eligible child or children: (i) Provides to the director proof of the member's death while serving in the uniformed services; (ii) Provides to the director proof of the member's honorable service in the uniformed services prior to the date of death; and (iii) Pays the employee contributions required under this subsection within five years of the date of death or prior to the distribution of any benefit, whichever comes first; or (iv) Prior to the distribution of any benefit, provides to the director proof that the member's interruptive military service was during a period of war as defined in RCW 41.04.005 . If the deceased member made payments for service credit for interruptive military service during a period of war as defined in RCW 41.04.005 , the surviving spouse or eligible child or children may, prior to the distribution of any benefit and on a form provided by the department, request a refund of the funds standing to the deceased member's credit for up to five years of such service, and this amount shall be paid to the surviving spouse or children. Members with one or more periods of interruptive military service during a period of war may receive no more than five years of free retirement system service credit under this subsection. (b) A member who leaves the employ of an employer to enter the uniformed services of the United States and becomes totally incapacitated for continued employment by an employer while serving in the uniformed services is entitled to retirement system service credit under this subsection up to the date of discharge from the uniformed services if: (i) The member obtains a determination from the director that he or she is totally incapacitated for continued employment due to conditions or events that occurred while serving in the uniformed services; (ii) The member provides to the director proof of honorable discharge from the uniformed services; and (iii) The member pays the employee contributions required under this subsection within five years of the director's determination of total disability or prior to the distribution of any benefit, whichever comes first; or (iv) Prior to retirement the member provides to the director proof that the member's interruptive military service was during a period of war as defined in RCW 41.04.005 . Any member who made payments for service credit for interruptive military service during a period of war as defined in RCW 41.04.005 may, prior to retirement and on a form provided by the department, request a refund of the funds standing to his or her credit for up to five years of such service, and this amount shall be paid to him or her. Members with one or more periods of interruptive military service during a period of war may receive no more than five years of free retirement system service credit under this subsection.
RCW 41.56.051 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 56 / Section 051
RCW 41.56.051: Commission to prevent unfair labor practices and issue remedial orders and cease and desist orders.
Status: in_force

(1) The commission is empowered and directed to prevent any unfair labor practice and to issue appropriate remedial orders: PROVIDED, That a complaint shall not be processed for any unfair labor practice occurring more than six months before the filing of the complaint with the commission or in superior court. This power shall not be affected or impaired by any means of adjustment, mediation or conciliation in labor disputes that have been or may hereafter be established by law. (2) If the commission determines that any person has engaged in or is engaging in an unfair labor practice, the commission shall issue and cause to be served upon the person an order requiring the person to cease and desist from such unfair labor practice, and to take such affirmative action as will effectuate the purposes and policy of this chapter, such as the payment of damages and the reinstatement of employees. (3) The commission may petition the superior court for the county in which the main office of the employer is located or in which the person who has engaged or is engaging in such unfair labor practice resides or transacts business, for the enforcement of its order and for appropriate temporary relief.
RCW 41.28.130 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 28 / Section 130
RCW 41.28.130: Service retirement allowances.
Status: in_force

(1) A member, upon retirement from service, shall receive a retirement allowance subject to the provisions of paragraph (2) of this section, which shall consist of: (a) An annuity which shall be the actuarial equivalent of his or her accumulated contributions at the time of his or her retirement. (b) A pension purchased by the contributions of the city, equal to the annuity purchased by the accumulated normal contributions of the member. (c) For any member having credit for prior service an additional pension, purchased by the contributions of the city equal to one and one-third percent of the final compensation, multiplied by the number of years of prior service credited to said member, except that if a member shall retire before attaining the age of sixty-two years, the additional pension shall be reduced to an amount which shall be equal to a lesser percentage of final compensation, multiplied by the number of years of prior service credited to said member, which lesser percentage shall be applied to the respective ages of retirement in accordance with the following tabulation: Retirement age Percentage 62 . . . . 1.333 61 . . . . 1.242 60 . . . . 1.158 59 . . . . 1.081 58 . . . . 1.010 57 . . . . 0.945 56 . . . . 0.885 55 . . . . 0.829 54 . . . . 0.778 53 . . . . 0.731 52 . . . . 0.687 51 . . . . 0.646 50 . . . . 0.608 (2) If the retirement allowance of the member as provided in this section, exclusive of any annuity purchased by his or her accumulated additional contributions, is in excess of two-thirds of his or her final salary, the pension of the member, purchased by the contributions of the city, shall be reduced to such an amount as shall make the member's retirement allowance, exclusive of any annuity purchased by his or her accumulated additional contributions, equal to two-thirds of his or her final salary, and the actuarial equivalent of such reduction shall remain in the retirement fund to the credit of the city: PROVIDED, That the retired member will be granted a cost of living increase, in addition to the allowance provided in this section, of one percent commencing January 1, 1968 and an additional one percent on the first day of each even-numbered year thereafter if the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' Cost of Living Index has increased one percent or more since the last cost of living increase in the member's retirement allowance; such increases shall apply only to retirement allowances approved on or after January 1, 1967. (3) Any member, who enters the retirement system on July 1, 1939, or who enters after that date and who is given the credit for prior service, and who is retired by reason of attaining the age of seventy years, shall receive such additional pension on account of prior service, purchased by the contributions of the city, as will make his or her total retirement allowance not less than four hundred twenty dollars per year. (4) Any member who, at the time of his or her retirement, has at least ten years of creditable service, as defined in this chapter, and who has attained the age of sixty-five years or over, shall receive such additional pension, purchased by the contributions of the city, as will make his or her total retirement allowance not less than nine hundred sixty dollars per year.
RCW 41.50.132 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 50 / Section 132
RCW 41.50.132: Correction of erroneous deduction or pickup of contributions.
Status: in_force

(1) By December 31, 1992, the department of retirement systems shall implement and complete the following process for those members of the law enforcement officers' and firefighters' retirement system plan 2, public employees' retirement system plans 1 and 2, and teachers' retirement system plan 2 who erroneously had contributions either deducted or picked-up from their earnings on and after January 1, 1987: (a) Create a list of transactions by employer for those members whose employer either deducted or picked-up employee contributions during a month where an employee did not work sufficient hours to earn service credit; (b) Provide the affected employers with direction and guidance for the review of the transmitted lists from this subsection and the employers' preparation of any necessary correcting transactions to the department's records; (c) Receive all correcting transactions submitted by the employer. (2) All debits and credits to all member accounts affected by this remedial process shall be reconciled by the department. (3) All moneys payable to an affected member, or any moneys to be further deducted or picked-up from such member's earnings, shall be determined and accomplished solely by the employer. (4) After December 31, 1992, no credit of employer contributions shall be made. (5) Return of contributions to an employee by the department is limited solely to when such member retires or otherwise terminates his or her membership and chooses to withdraw them with any accumulated interest. (6) Employer contributions forfeited under this section shall be transferred to the department of retirement systems expense account.
RCW 41.18.030 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 18 / Section 030
RCW 41.18.030: Contributions by firefighters.
Status: in_force

Every firefighter to whom this chapter applies shall contribute to the firefighters' pension fund a sum equal to six percent of his or her basic salary which shall be deducted therefrom and placed in the fund.
RCW 41.40.1971 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 40 / Section 1971
RCW 41.40.1971: Definition—"Beneficiary."
Status: in_force

For the purposes of RCW 41.40.197 , 41.40.1984 , and 41.40.1986 , "beneficiary" means a beneficiary under RCW 41.40.010 or 41.44.030 , or both RCW 41.40.010 and 41.44.030 .
RCW 41.05.175 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 05 / Section 175
RCW 41.05.175: Prescribed, self-administered anticancer medication.
Status: in_force

(1) Each health plan offered to public employees and their covered dependents under this chapter, including those subject to the provision of Title 48 RCW, and is issued or renewed beginning January 1, 2012, and provides coverage for cancer chemotherapy treatment must provide coverage for prescribed, self-administered anticancer medication that is used to kill or slow the growth of cancerous cells on a basis at least comparable to cancer chemotherapy medications administered by a health care provider or facility as defined in *RCW 48.43.005 (25) and (26). (2) Nothing in this section may be interpreted to prohibit a health plan from administering a formulary or preferred drug list, requiring prior authorization, or imposing other appropriate utilization controls in approving coverage for any chemotherapy.
RCW 41.32.540 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 32 / Section 540
RCW 41.32.540: Disability allowance—Temporary.
Status: in_force

Upon application of a member in service or of his or her employer or of his or her legal guardian or of the legal representative of a deceased member who was eligible to apply for a temporary disability allowance based on the final illness a member shall be granted a temporary disability allowance by the department if the medical director, after a medical examination of the member, certifies that the member is mentally or physically incapacitated for the further performance of duty. Any member receiving a temporary disability allowance on July 1, 1964 or who qualifies for a temporary disability allowance effective on or after July 1, 1964 shall receive a temporary disability allowance of one hundred eighty dollars per month for a period not to exceed two years, but no payments shall be made for a disability period of less than sixty days: PROVIDED, That a member who is not employed full time in Washington public school service for consecutive fiscal years shall have been employed for at least fifty consecutive days during the fiscal year in which he or she returns to full time Washington public school service before he or she may qualify for temporary disability benefits: PROVIDED FURTHER, That no temporary disability benefits shall be paid on the basis of an application received more than four calendar years after a member became eligible to apply for such benefits.
RCW 41.40.098 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 40 / Section 098
RCW 41.40.098: Transfer of former service from judicial retirement system.
Status: in_force

A former member of the Washington judicial retirement system who: (1) Is not serving as a judge on July 1, 1988; (2) has not retired under the applicable provisions of chapter 2.10 RCW; and (3) subsequently reacquires membership in the public employees' retirement system may, by written request filed with the director of retirement systems, transfer to the public employees' retirement system all periods of time served as a judge, as defined in *RCW 2.10.030 (2). Upon such membership transfer being made, the department of retirement systems shall transfer the employer contributions and the employee's contributions and service from the judicial retirement system to the public employees' retirement system. The service shall be transferred and credited to the member as though the service was originally earned as a member of the public employees' retirement system.
RCW 41.24.230 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 24 / Section 230
RCW 41.24.230: Funeral and burial expenses.
Status: in_force

Upon the death of any participant resulting from injuries or sickness in consequence or as the result of the performance of his or her duties, the board of trustees shall authorize the issuance of a voucher for the sum of two thousand dollars, and upon the death of any participant who is receiving any disability payments provided for in this chapter, the board of trustees shall authorize the issuance of a voucher for the sum of five hundred dollars, to help defray the funeral expenses and burial of the participant, which voucher shall be paid in the manner provided for payment of other charges against the principal fund.
RCW 41.32.581 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 32 / Section 581
RCW 41.32.581: End of participation in judicial retirement account plan—Newly elected or appointed judges.
Status: in_force

Beginning January 1, 2007, any newly elected or appointed supreme court justice, court of appeals judge, or superior court judge, who is a member of plan 1, shall not participate in the judicial retirement account plan under chapter 2.14 RCW in lieu of prospective contribution and benefit provisions under chapter 189, Laws of 2006.
RCW 41.24.030 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 24 / Section 030
RCW 41.24.030: Volunteer firefighters' relief and pension principal fund created—Reserve officers' relief and pension principal fund created—Composition—Investment—Use—Treasurer's report.
Status: in_force

*** CHANGE IN 2026 *** (SEE 5998-S.SL ) ***

(1) The volunteer firefighters' relief and pension principal fund is created in the state treasury as a trust fund for the benefit of the volunteer firefighter and emergency worker participants covered by this chapter consisting of: (a) All bequests, fees, gifts, emoluments, or donations given or paid to the fund; (b) An annual fee for each member of its fire department to be paid by each municipal corporation for the purpose of affording relief provided in this chapter for firefighters as follows: (i) Fifty dollars for each volunteer or part-paid member of its fire department; (ii) A sum equal to one and one-half of one percent of the annual salary attached to the rank of each full-paid member of its fire department, prorated for 1970 on the basis of services prior to March 1, 1970; (c) An annual fee for each emergency worker of an emergency medical service district paid by the district that is sufficient to pay the full costs of covering the emergency worker under the relief provisions of this chapter, including operating expenses. The state board shall determine the amount of this fee based on the latest actuarial valuation of the system; (d) Where a municipal corporation has elected to make the retirement pension provisions of this chapter available to members of its fire department, an annual fee of ninety dollars for each of its firefighters electing to enroll, forty-five dollars of which shall be paid by the municipality and forty-five dollars of which shall be paid by the firefighter. However, nothing in this section prohibits any municipality from voluntarily paying the firefighters' fee for this retirement pension coverage; (e) Where an emergency medical service district has elected to make the retirement pension provisions of this chapter available to its emergency workers, for each emergency worker electing to enroll: (i) An annual fee of forty-five dollars shall be paid by the emergency worker; and (ii) an annual fee paid by the emergency medical service district that, together with the forty-five dollar fee per emergency worker, is sufficient to pay the full costs of covering the emergency worker under the retirement pension benefits provided under this chapter, including operating expenses. The state board shall determine the amount of this fee based on the latest actuarial valuation of the system. However, nothing in this section prohibits any emergency medical service district from voluntarily paying the emergency workers' fees for this retirement pension coverage; (f) Moneys transferred from the administrative fund, as provided under subsection (5) of this section, which may only be used to pay relief and retirement pensions for firefighters; and (g) Earnings from the investment of moneys in the volunteer firefighters' principal fund. (2) The reserve officers' relief and pension principal fund is created in the state treasury as a trust fund for the benefit of the reserve officer participants covered by this chapter consisting of: (a) All bequests, fees, gifts, emoluments, or donations given or paid to the fund; (b) Where a municipal corporation has elected to make relief provisions of this chapter available to its reserve officers, an annual fee for each reserve officer paid by the municipal corporation that is sufficient to pay the full costs of covering the reserve officer under the relief provisions of this chapter, including operating expenses. The state board shall determine the amount of this fee based on the latest actuarial valuation of the system; (c) Where a municipal corporation has elected to make the retirement pension provisions of this chapter available to its reserve officers, for each reserve officer electing to enroll: (i) An annual fee of $45 shall be paid by the reserve officer; and (ii) an annual fee paid by the municipal corporation that, together with the $45 fee per reserve officer, is sufficient to pay the full costs of covering the reserve officer under the retirement pension benefits provided under this chapter, including operating expenses. The state board shall determine the amount of this fee based on the latest actuarial valuation of the system. However, nothing in this section prohibits any municipal corporation from voluntarily paying the reserve officers' fees for this retirement pension coverage; (d) Moneys transferred from the administrative fund, as provided under subsection (5) of this section, which may only be used to pay relief and retirement pensions for reserve officers; and (e) Earnings from the investment of moneys in the reserve officers' principal fund. (3)(a) The state investment board shall have full power to invest, reinvest, manage, contract, sell, comingle, or exchange investments acquired from that portion of the amounts credited to the principal funds as is not, in the judgment of the state board, required to meet current withdrawals. Investments shall be made in the manner prescribed by RCW 43.84.150 and not otherwise. (b) All bonds, investments, or other obligations purchased by the state investment board shall be placed in the custody of the state treasurer, and he or she shall collect the principal thereof and interest thereon when due. (4)(a) The interest, earnings, and proceeds from the sale and redemption of any investments held by the principal fund and invested by the state investment board shall be credited to and form a part of the principal fund, less the allocation to the state investment board expense account pursuant to RCW 43.33A.160 . (b) Subject to restrictions contained in this chapter, all amounts credited to the principal fund shall be available for making the benefit payments required by this chapter. Amounts credited to each separate principal fund shall only be available to make benefit payments for the members of that specific principal fund. (c) The state treasurer shall make an annual report showing the condition of the funds. (5) The volunteer firefighters' and reserve officers' administrative fund is created in the state treasury. Moneys in the fund, including unanticipated revenues under RCW 43.79.270 , may be spent only after appropriation, and may be used only for operating expenses of the volunteer firefighters' relief and pension principal fund, the reserve officers' relief and pension principal fund, the operating expenses of the volunteer firefighters' and reserve officers' administrative fund, or for transfer from the administrative fund to the principal fund. (a) Forty percent of all moneys received by the state from taxes on fire insurance premiums shall be paid into the state treasury and credited to the administrative fund. (b) The state board shall compute a percentage of the amounts credited to the administrative fund to be paid into the principal fund. (c) For the purpose of providing amounts to be used to defray the cost of administration of the principal and administrative funds, the state board shall ascertain at the beginning of each biennium and request from the legislature an appropriation from the administrative fund sufficient to cover estimated expenses for the biennium. (6) Pursuant to section 3, chapter 73, Laws of 2023, on August 1, 2023, the state board will transfer an amount of funds from the principal account in subsection (1) of this section to the new principal account created in subsection (2) of this section.
RCW 41.40.096 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 40 / Section 096
RCW 41.40.096: Law enforcement officers—Dual membership—Plan 1 exception.
Status: in_force

(1) An employee who was a member of the public employees' retirement system plan 2 or plan 3 on or before January 1, 2003, and on July 27, 2003, is employed by the department of fish and wildlife as a law enforcement officer as defined in RCW 41.26.030 , shall become a member of the law enforcement officers' and firefighters' retirement system plan 2. All officers will be dual members as provided in chapter 41.54 RCW, and public employees' retirement system service credit may not be transferred to the law enforcement officers' and firefighters' retirement system plan 2. (2) An employee who was a member of the public employees' retirement system plan 1 on or before January 1, 2003, and on or after July 27, 2003, is employed by the department of fish and wildlife as a law enforcement officer as defined in RCW 41.26.030 , shall remain a member of the public employees' retirement system plan 1.
RCW 41.24.175 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 24 / Section 175
RCW 41.24.175: Disability or retirement payments—Computation according to latest legislative expression.
Status: in_force

Payments to persons who are now receiving, or who may hereafter receive any disability or retirement payments under the provisions of chapter 41.24 RCW shall be computed in accordance with the last act enacted by the legislature relative thereto: PROVIDED HOWEVER, That nothing herein contained shall be construed as reducing the amount of any pension to which any firefighter shall have been eligible to receive under the provisions of section 1, chapter 103, Laws of 1951.
RCW 41.32.840 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 32 / Section 840
RCW 41.32.840: Computation of the retirement allowance.
Status: in_force

(1) A member of the retirement system shall receive a retirement allowance equal to one percent of such member's average final compensation for each service credit year. (2) The retirement allowance payable under RCW 41.32.875 to a member who separates after having completed at least twenty service credit years shall be increased by twenty-five one-hundredths of one percent, compounded for each month from the date of separation to the date that the retirement allowance commences.
RCW 41.50.700 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 50 / Section 700
RCW 41.50.700: Property division obligations—Cessation upon death of obligee or obligor—Payment treated as deduction from member's periodic retirement payment.
Status: in_force

*** CHANGE IN 2026 *** (SEE 2034-S2.SL ) ***

(1) Except under subsection (3) of this section and RCW 41.26.460 (5), 41.32.530 (5), 41.32.785 (5), 41.32.851 (4), 41.35.220 (4), 41.40.188 (5), 41.40.660 (5), 41.40.845 (4), 43.43.271 (4), and 41.34.080 , the department's obligation to provide direct payment of a property division obligation to an obligee under RCW 41.50.670 shall cease upon the death of the obligee or upon the death of the obligor, whichever comes first. However, if an obligor dies and is eligible for a lump sum death benefit, the department shall be obligated to provide direct payment to the obligee of all or a portion of the withdrawal of accumulated contributions pursuant to a court order that complies with RCW 41.50.670 . (2) The direct payment of a property division obligation to an obligee under RCW 41.50.670 shall be paid as a deduction from the member's periodic retirement payment. An obligee may not direct the department to withhold any funds from such payment. (3) The department's obligation to provide direct payment to a nonmember ex spouse from a preretirement divorce meeting the criteria of RCW * 41.26.162 (2) or 43.43.270 (2) may continue for the life of the member's surviving spouse qualifying for benefits under RCW 41.26.160 , 41.26.161 , or 43.43.270 (2). Upon the death of the member's surviving spouse qualifying for benefits under RCW 41.26.160 , 41.26.161 , or 43.43.270 (2), the department's obligation under this subsection shall cease. The department's obligation to provide direct payment to a nonmember ex spouse qualifying for a continued split benefit payment under *RCW 41.26.162 (3) shall continue for the life of that nonmember ex spouse.
RCW 41.60.100 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 60 / Section 100
RCW 41.60.100: Employee teamwork incentive program—Applications.
Status: in_force

(1) With the exception of agencies of the legislative and judicial branches, any organizational unit composed of employees in any agency or group of agencies of state government with the ability to identify costs, revenues, or both may apply to the board to participate in the teamwork incentive program as a team. The application shall have the approval of the heads of the agency or agencies within which the team is located. (2) Applications shall be in the form specified by the board and contain such information as the board requires. This may include, but is not limited to, quantitative measures which establish a database of program output or performance expectations, or both. This database is used to evaluate savings in accordance with RCW 41.60.110 .
RCW 41.32.880 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 32 / Section 880
RCW 41.32.880: Earned disability allowance—Eligibility—Disposition upon death of recipient.
Status: in_force

(1) A member of the retirement system who becomes totally incapacitated for continued employment by an employer as determined by the department shall be eligible to receive an allowance under the provisions of plan 3. The member shall receive a monthly disability allowance computed as provided for in RCW 41.32.840 and shall have this allowance actuarially reduced to reflect the difference in the number of years between age at disability and the attainment of age sixty-five. Any member who receives an allowance under the provisions of this section shall be subject to comprehensive medical examinations as required by the department. If these medical examinations reveal that a member has recovered from the incapacitating disability and the member is offered reemployment by an employer at a comparable compensation, the member shall cease to be eligible for the allowance. (2) If the recipient of a monthly retirement allowance under this section dies, any further benefit payments shall be conditioned by the payment option selected by the retiree as provided in RCW 41.32.851 .
RCW 41.58.040 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 58 / Section 040
RCW 41.58.040: Duties of employers and employees.
Status: in_force

In order to prevent or minimize disruptions to the public welfare growing out of labor disputes, employers and employees and their representatives shall: (1) Exert every reasonable effort to make and maintain agreements concerning rates of pay, hours, and working conditions, including provision for adequate notice of any proposed change in the terms of such agreements; (2) Whenever a dispute arises over the terms or application of a collective bargaining agreement and a conference is requested by a party or prospective party thereto, arrange promptly for such a conference to be held and endeavor in such conference to settle such dispute expeditiously; and (3) In case such dispute is not settled by conference, participate fully and promptly in such meetings as may be undertaken by the commission under this chapter for the purpose of aiding in a settlement of the dispute.
RCW 41.47.050 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 47 / Section 050
RCW 41.47.050: Contingent effective date.
Status: in_force

This chapter shall take effect at the time and in the manner provided by the state Constitution unless at that time the federal social security act has not been amended to cover officials and employees of the state, county, city and other municipal corporations and political subdivisions, in which event it shall take effect and become operative on the first day of the second month following the month when such federal act shall become applicable to such state officials and employees.
RCW 41.32.845 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 32 / Section 845
RCW 41.32.845: Postretirement cost-of-living allowance.
Status: in_force

Retirement allowances paid under the defined benefit portion of plan 3 shall have a postretirement cost-of-living allowance calculated and paid as provided in RCW 41.32.770 .
RCW 41.40.790 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 40 / Section 790
RCW 41.40.790: Computation of retirement allowance.
Status: in_force

(1) A member of the retirement system shall receive a retirement allowance equal to one percent of such member's average final compensation for each service credit year. (2) The retirement allowance payable under RCW 41.40.820 to a member who separates after having completed at least twenty service credit years shall be increased by twenty-five one-hundredths of one percent, compounded for each month from the date of separation to the date that the retirement allowance commences.
RCW 41.40.185 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 40 / Section 185
RCW 41.40.185: Retirement allowances—Members retiring after February 25, 1972.
Status: in_force

Upon retirement from service, as provided for in RCW 41.40.180 or 41.40.210 , a member shall be eligible for a service retirement allowance computed on the basis of the law in effect at the time of retirement, together with such post-retirement pension increases as may from time to time be expressly authorized by the legislature. The service retirement allowance payable to members retiring on and after February 25, 1972 shall consist of: (1) An annuity which shall be the actuarial equivalent of his or her additional contributions made pursuant to RCW 41.40.330 (2). (2) A membership service pension, subject to the provisions of subsection (4) of this section, which shall be equal to two percent of his or her average final compensation for each service credit year or fraction of a service credit year of membership service. (3) A prior service pension which shall be equal to one-seventieth of his or her average final compensation for each year or fraction of a year of prior service not to exceed thirty years credited to his or her service accounts. In no event, except as provided in *this 1972 amendatory act, shall any member receive a retirement allowance pursuant to subsections (2) and (3) of this section of more than sixty percent of his or her average final compensation: PROVIDED, That no member shall receive a pension under this section of less than nine hundred dollars per annum if such member has twelve or more years of service credit, or less than one thousand and two hundred dollars per annum if such member has sixteen or more years of service credit, or less than one thousand five hundred and sixty dollars per annum if such member has twenty or more years of service credit. (4) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsections (1) through (3) of this section, the retirement allowance payable for service where a member was elected or appointed pursuant to Articles II or III of the Constitution of the state of Washington or RCW 48.02.010 and the implementing statutes shall be a combined pension and annuity. Said retirement allowance shall be equal to three percent of the average final compensation for each year of such service. Any member covered by this subsection who upon retirement has served ten or more years shall receive a retirement allowance of at least one thousand two hundred dollars per annum; such member who has served fifteen or more years shall receive a retirement allowance of at least one thousand eight hundred dollars per annum; and such member who has served twenty or more years shall receive a retirement allowance of at least two thousand four hundred dollars per annum: PROVIDED, That the initial retirement allowance of a member retiring only under the provisions of this subsection shall not exceed the average final compensation upon which the retirement allowance is based. The minimum benefits provided in this subsection shall apply to all retired members or to the surviving spouse of deceased members who were elected to the office of state senator or state representative.
RCW 41.60.110 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 60 / Section 110
RCW 41.60.110: Employee teamwork incentive program—Evaluation of savings.
Status: in_force

To qualify for a teamwork incentive program award for its employees, a team must identify the net savings, revenue, or both, accomplished during the project period. The calculations of net savings, revenue, or both, are not final until approved by the agency head, who may modify the team's calculations. The board may by rule establish criteria to be used in calculating net savings, revenue, or both.
RCW 41.40.0932 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 40 / Section 0932
RCW 41.40.0932: Death benefit—Course of employment—Occupational disease or infection.
Status: in_force

(1) A one hundred fifty thousand dollar death benefit shall be paid to the member's estate, or such person or persons, trust or organization as the member has nominated by written designation duly executed and filed with the department. If no such designated person or persons are still living at the time of the member's death, the member's death benefit shall be paid to the member's surviving spouse as if in fact the spouse had been nominated by written designation, or if there is no surviving spouse, then to the member's legal representatives. (2) The benefit under this section shall be paid only where death occurs as a result of (a) injuries sustained in the course of employment; or (b) an occupational disease or infection that arises naturally and proximately out of employment covered under this chapter. The determination of eligibility for the benefit shall be made consistent with Title 51 RCW by the department of labor and industries. The department of labor and industries shall notify the department of retirement systems by order under RCW 51.52.050 .
RCW 41.35.901 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 35 / Section 901
RCW 41.35.901: Effective date—1998 c 341.
Status: in_force

Except for sections 303, 306 through 309, 404, 505, 507, 515, 701, 707, and 710 through 713 of this act, this act takes effect September 1, 2000.
RCW 41.04.385 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 04 / Section 385
RCW 41.04.385: Child care—Legislative findings—State policy—Responsibilities of director of enterprise services.
Status: in_force

The legislature finds that (1) demographic, economic, and social trends underlie a critical and increasing demand for child care in the state of Washington; (2) working parents and their children benefit when the employees' child care needs have been resolved; (3) the state of Washington should serve as a model employer by creating a supportive atmosphere, to the extent feasible, in which its employees may meet their child care needs; and (4) the state of Washington should encourage the development of partnerships between state agencies, state employees, state employee labor organizations, and private employers to expand the availability of affordable quality child care. The legislature finds further that resolving employee child care concerns not only benefits the employees and their children, but may benefit the employer by reducing absenteeism, increasing employee productivity, improving morale, and enhancing the employer's position in recruiting and retaining employees. Therefore, the legislature declares that it is the policy of the state of Washington to assist state employees by creating a supportive atmosphere in which they may meet their child care needs. Policies and procedures for state agencies to address employee child care needs will be the responsibility of the director of enterprise services in consultation with the secretary of the department of children, youth, and families and state employee representatives.
RCW 41.40.850 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 40 / Section 850
RCW 41.40.850: Suspension of retirement allowance upon reemployment—Exception—Reinstatement.
Status: in_force

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(1) Except as provided in RCW 41.40.037 , no retiree under the provisions of plan 3 shall be eligible to receive such retiree's monthly retirement allowance if he or she is employed in an eligible position as defined in RCW 41.40.010 , 41.32.010 , 41.35.010 , or 41.37.010 , or as a law enforcement officer or firefighter as defined in RCW 41.26.030 , except that a retiree who ends his or her membership in the retirement system pursuant to RCW 41.40.023 (3)(b) is not subject to this section if the retiree's only employment is as an elective official of a city or town. (2) If a retiree's benefits have been suspended under this section, his or her benefits shall be reinstated when the retiree terminates the employment that caused his or her benefits to be suspended. Upon reinstatement, the retiree's benefits shall be actuarially recomputed pursuant to the rules adopted by the department. (3) The department shall adopt rules implementing this section.
RCW 41.32.520 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 32 / Section 520
RCW 41.32.520: Payment on death before retirement or within sixty days following application for disability retirement—Military service.
Status: in_force

(1) Except as specified in subsection (3) of this section, upon receipt of proper proofs of death of any member before retirement or before the first installment of his or her retirement allowance shall become due his or her accumulated contributions, less any amount identified as owing to an obligee upon withdrawal of accumulated contributions pursuant to a court order filed under RCW 41.50.670 , and/or other benefits payable upon his or her death shall be paid to his or her estate or to such persons, trust, or organization as he or she shall have nominated by written designation duly executed and filed with the department. If a member fails to file a new beneficiary designation subsequent to marriage, divorce, or reestablishment of membership following termination by withdrawal, lapsation, or retirement, payment of his or her accumulated contributions, less any amount identified as owing to an obligee upon withdrawal of accumulated contributions pursuant to a court order filed under RCW 41.50.670 , and/or other benefits upon death before retirement shall be made to the surviving spouse, if any; otherwise, to his or her estate. If a member had established ten or more years of Washington membership service credit or was eligible for retirement, the beneficiary or the surviving spouse if otherwise eligible may elect, in lieu of a cash refund of the member's accumulated contributions, the following survivor benefit plan actuarially reduced, except under subsection (4) of this section, by the amount of any lump sum benefit identified as owing to an obligee upon withdrawal of accumulated contributions pursuant to a court order filed under RCW 41.50.670 : (a) A widow or widower, without a child or children under eighteen years of age, may elect a monthly payment of fifty dollars to become effective at age fifty, provided the member had fifteen or more years of Washington membership service credit. A benefit paid under this subsection (1)(a) shall terminate at the marriage of the beneficiary. (b) The beneficiary, if a surviving spouse or a dependent (as that term is used in computing the dependent exemption for federal internal revenue purposes) may elect to receive a joint and one hundred percent retirement allowance under RCW 41.32.530 . (i) In the case of a dependent child the allowance shall continue until attainment of majority or so long as the department judges that the circumstances which created his or her dependent status continue to exist. In any case, if at the time dependent status ceases, an amount equal to the amount of accumulated contributions of the deceased member has not been paid to the beneficiary, the remainder shall then be paid in a lump sum to the beneficiary. (ii) If at the time of death, the member was not then qualified for a service retirement allowance, the benefit shall be based upon the actuarial equivalent of the sum necessary to pay the accrued regular retirement allowance commencing when the deceased member would have first qualified for a service retirement allowance. (2) If no qualified beneficiary survives a member, at his or her death his or her accumulated contributions, less any amount identified as owing to an obligee upon withdrawal of accumulated contributions pursuant to a court order filed under RCW 41.50.670 , shall be paid to his or her estate, or his or her dependents may qualify for survivor benefits under benefit plan (1)(b) in lieu of a cash refund of the members accumulated contributions in the following order: Widow or widower, guardian of a dependent child or children under age eighteen, or dependent parent or parents. (3) If a member dies within sixty days following application for disability retirement under RCW 41.32.550 , the beneficiary named in the application may elect to receive the benefit provided by: (a) This section; or (b) RCW 41.32.550 , according to the option chosen under RCW 41.32.530 in the disability application. (4) The retirement allowance of a member who is killed in the course of employment, as determined by the director of the department of labor and industries, or the retirement allowance of a member who has left the employ of an employer due to service in the national guard or military reserves and dies while honorably serving in the national guard or military reserves during a period of war as defined in RCW 41.04.005 , is not subject to an actuarial reduction. The member's retirement allowance is computed under RCW 41.32.480 .
RCW 41.35.090 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 35 / Section 090
RCW 41.35.090: Employer's contribution—Computation—Billing.
Status: in_force

(1) The director shall report to each employer the contribution rates required for the ensuing biennium or fiscal year, whichever is applicable. (2) Beginning September 1, 1990, the amount to be collected as the employer's contribution shall be computed by applying the applicable rates established in chapter 41.45 RCW to the total compensation earnable of employer's members as shown on the current payrolls of the employer. Each employer shall compute at the end of each month the amount due for that month and the same shall be paid as are its other obligations. (3) In the event of failure, for any reason, of an employer other than a political subdivision of the state to have remitted amounts due for membership service of any of the employer's members rendered during a prior biennium, the director shall bill such employer for such employer's contribution together with such charges as the director deems appropriate in accordance with RCW 41.50.120 . Such billing shall be paid by the employer as, and the same shall be, a proper charge against any moneys available or appropriated to such employer for payment of current biennial payrolls.
RCW 41.50.710 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 50 / Section 710
RCW 41.50.710: Property division obligations—Remedies exclusive—Payment pursuant to court order defense against claims.
Status: in_force

(1) The remedies provided in RCW 41.50.670 through 41.50.720 are the exclusive remedies enforceable against the department or the retirement systems listed in RCW 41.50.030 for the direct payment of retirement benefits to satisfy a property division obligation pursuant to a dissolution order. The department shall not be required to make payments to an obligee of benefits accruing prior to (a) thirty calendar days following service of the dissolution order on the department; or (b) benefit payments restrained under RCW 41.50.720 . (2) Whenever the department of retirement systems makes direct payments of property division to a spouse or ex spouse under RCW 41.50.670 to the extent expressly provided for in any court decree of dissolution or legal separation or in any court order or court-approved property settlement agreement incident to any court decree of dissolution or legal separation, it shall be a sufficient answer to any claim of a beneficiary against the department for the department to show that the payments were made pursuant to court decree.
RCW 41.20.920 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 20 / Section 920
RCW 41.20.920: Construction—Chapter applicable to state registered domestic partnerships—2009 c 521.
Status: in_force

For the purposes of this chapter, the terms spouse, marriage, marital, husband, wife, widow, widower, next of kin, and family shall be interpreted as applying equally to state registered domestic partnerships or individuals in state registered domestic partnerships as well as to marital relationships and married persons, and references to dissolution of marriage shall apply equally to state registered domestic partnerships that have been terminated, dissolved, or invalidated, to the extent that such interpretation does not conflict with federal law. Where necessary to implement chapter 521, Laws of 2009, gender-specific terms such as husband and wife used in any statute, rule, or other law shall be construed to be gender neutral, and applicable to individuals in state registered domestic partnerships.
RCW 41.60.041 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 60 / Section 041
RCW 41.60.041: Employee suggestion program—Amount and payment of award—Transfer of funds to general fund.
Status: in_force

(1) Cash awards for suggestions generating net savings, revenue, or both to the state shall be determined by the board, or the board's designee, based on the payment award scale. No award may be granted in excess of ten thousand dollars or 10 percent of the actual net savings and/or revenue generated, whichever amount is less. Savings, revenue, or both, shall be calculated for the first year of implementation. (2) The board shall establish guidelines for making cash awards for suggestions for which benefits to the state are intangible or for which benefits cannot be calculated. (3) Funds for the awards shall be drawn from the appropriation of the agency benefiting from the employee's suggestion. If the suggestion reduces costs to a nonappropriated fund or reduces costs paid without appropriation from a nonappropriated portion of an appropriated fund, an award may be paid from the benefiting fund or account without appropriation. (4) Awards may be paid to state employees for suggestions which generate new or additional money for the general fund or any other funds of the state. The director of financial management shall distribute moneys appropriated for this purpose with the concurrence of the productivity board. Transfers shall be made from other funds of the state to the general fund, in amounts equal to award payments made by the general fund, for suggestions generating new or additional money for those other funds.
RCW 41.76.020 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 76 / Section 020
RCW 41.76.020: Exclusive bargaining representatives—Procedures for certification—Cross-check—Elections.
Status: in_force

The commission shall certify exclusive bargaining representatives in accordance with the procedures specified in this section. (1) No question concerning representation may be raised within one year following issuance of a certification under this section. (2) If there is a valid collective bargaining agreement in effect, no question concerning representation may be raised except during the period not more than ninety nor less than sixty days prior to the expiration date of the agreement: PROVIDED, That in the event a valid collective bargaining agreement, together with any renewals or extensions thereof, has been or will be in existence for more than three years, then a question concerning representation may be raised not more than ninety nor less than sixty days prior to the third anniversary date or any subsequent anniversary date of the agreement; and if the exclusive bargaining representative is removed as the result of such procedure, the collective bargaining agreement shall be deemed to be terminated as of the date of the certification or the anniversary date following the filing of the petition, whichever is later. (3) An employee organization seeking certification as exclusive bargaining representative of a bargaining unit, or faculty members seeking decertification of their exclusive bargaining representative, must make a confidential showing to the commission of credible evidence demonstrating that at least thirty percent of the faculty in the bargaining unit are in support of the petition. The petition must indicate the name, address, and telephone number of any employee organization known to claim an interest in the bargaining unit. (4) A petition filed by an employer must be supported by credible evidence demonstrating the good faith basis on which the employer claims the existence of a question concerning the representation of its faculty. (5) Any employee organization which makes a confidential showing to the commission of credible evidence demonstrating that it has the support of at least ten percent of the faculty in the bargaining unit involved is entitled to intervene in proceedings under this section and to have its name listed as a choice on the ballot in an election conducted by the commission. (6) The commission shall determine any question concerning representation by conducting a secret ballot election among the faculty members in the bargaining unit, except under the following circumstances: (a) If only one employee organization is seeking certification as exclusive bargaining representative of a bargaining unit for which there is no incumbent exclusive bargaining representative, the commission may determine the question concerning representation by conducting a cross-check comparing the employee organization's membership records or bargaining authorization cards against the employment records of the employer. A determination through a cross-check process may be made upon a showing of interest submitted in support of the exclusive bargaining representative by more than fifty percent of the employees; or (b) If the commission determines that a serious unfair labor practice has been committed which interfered with the election process and precludes the holding of a fair election, the commission may determine the question concerning representation by conducting a cross-check comparing the employee organization's membership records or bargaining authorization cards against the employment records of the employer. (c) The commission may adopt rules to implement this subsection (6). (7) The representation election ballot must contain a choice for each employee organization qualifying under subsection (3) or (5) of this section, together with a choice for no representation. The representation election shall be determined by the majority of the valid ballots cast. If there are three or more choices on the ballot and none of the three or more choices receives a majority of the valid ballots cast, a runoff election shall be conducted between the two choices receiving the highest and second highest numbers of votes. (8) The commission shall certify as the exclusive bargaining representative the employee organization that has been determined to represent a majority of faculty members in a bargaining unit.
RCW 41.40.1985 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 40 / Section 1985
RCW 41.40.1985: Permanent retirement allowance adjustment.
Status: in_force

The dollar amount of the temporary postretirement allowance adjustment granted by section 1, chapter 519, Laws of 1993 shall be provided as a permanent retirement allowance adjustment as of July 1, 1995.
RCW 41.50.077 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 50 / Section 077
RCW 41.50.077: State treasurer is custodian of funds.
Status: in_force

The state treasurer is the custodian of, and accountant for, all funds and holdings of the retirement systems listed in RCW 41.50.030 .
RCW 41.68.050 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 68 / Section 050
RCW 41.68.050: Payment of reparation.
Status: in_force

A claimant under this chapter who is determined eligible by the department of enterprise services shall receive two thousand five hundred dollars each year for two years. All claims which the department determines are eligible for reparation shall be immediately forwarded to the state treasurer, who shall issue warrants in the appropriate amounts upon demand and verification of identity. If a claimant dies after filing a claim but before receiving full payment, payments shall be made to the claimant's estate upon demand and verification of identity.
RCW 41.50.112 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 50 / Section 112
RCW 41.50.112: Report of member data—Department-designed format.
Status: in_force

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Employers, as defined in RCW 41.26.030 , 41.32.010 , 41.34.020 , 41.35.010 , and 41.40.010 , must report all member data to the department in a format designed and communicated by the department. Employers failing to comply with this reporting requirement shall be assessed an additional fee as defined under RCW 41.50.110 (5).
RCW 41.26.425 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 26 / Section 425
RCW 41.26.425: Lump sum retirement allowance—Reentry—Conditions for reinstatement of service.
Status: in_force

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(1) On or after June 10, 1982, the director may pay a beneficiary, subject to the provisions of subsection (5) of this section, a lump sum payment in lieu of a monthly benefit if the initial monthly benefit computed in accordance with RCW 41.26.420 would be less than fifty dollars. The lump sum payment shall be the greater of the actuarial equivalent of such monthly benefits or an amount equal to the individual's accumulated contributions plus accrued interest. (2) A beneficiary, subject to the provisions of subsection (5) of this section, who is receiving a regular monthly benefit of less than fifty dollars may request, in writing, to convert from a monthly benefit to a lump sum payment. If the director approves the conversion, the calculation of the actuarial equivalent of the total estimated regular benefit will be computed based on the beneficiary's age at the time the benefit initially accrued. The lump sum payment will be reduced to reflect any payments received on or after the initial benefit accrual date. (3) Persons covered under the provisions of subsection (1) of this section may upon returning to member status reinstate all previous service by depositing the lump sum payment received, with interest as computed by the director, within two years of returning to service or prior to re-retiring, whichever comes first. In computing the amount due, the director shall exclude the accumulated value of the normal payments the member would have received while in beneficiary status if the lump sum payment had not occurred. (4) If a member fails to meet the time limitations set forth under subsection (3) of this section, the member may reinstate all previous service under RCW 41.50.165 (2) prior to retirement. The sum deposited shall exclude the accumulated value of the normal payments the member would have received while in beneficiary status if the lump sum payment had not occurred. (5) Only persons entitled to or receiving a service retirement allowance under RCW 41.26.420 or an earned disability allowance under RCW 41.26.470 qualify for participation under this section. (6) It is the intent of the legislature that any member who receives a settlement under this section shall be deemed to be retired from this system.
RCW 41.35.680 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 35 / Section 680
RCW 41.35.680: Retirement eligibility.
Status: in_force

(1) NORMAL RETIREMENT. Any member who is at least age sixty-five and who has: (a) Completed ten service credit years; or (b) Completed five service credit years, including twelve service credit months after attaining age forty-four; or (c) Completed five service credit years by September 1, 2000, under the public employees' retirement system plan 2 and who transferred to plan 3 under RCW 41.35.510 ; shall be eligible to retire and to receive a retirement allowance computed according to the provisions of RCW 41.35.620 . (2) EARLY RETIREMENT. Any member who has attained at least age fifty-five and has completed at least ten years of service shall be eligible to retire and to receive a retirement allowance computed according to the provisions of RCW 41.35.620 , except that a member retiring pursuant to this subsection shall have the retirement allowance actuarially reduced to reflect the difference in the number of years between age at retirement and the attainment of age sixty-five. (3) ALTERNATE EARLY RETIREMENT. (a) Any member who has completed at least thirty service credit years and has attained age fifty-five shall be eligible to retire and to receive a retirement allowance computed according to the provisions of RCW 41.35.620 , except that a member retiring pursuant to this subsection shall have the retirement allowance reduced by three percent per year to reflect the difference in the number of years between age at retirement and the attainment of age sixty-five. (b)(i) On or after September 1, 2008, any member who has completed at least thirty service credit years and has attained age fifty-five shall be eligible to retire and to receive a retirement allowance computed according to the provisions of RCW 41.35.620 , except that a member retiring pursuant to this subsection shall have the retirement allowance reduced as follows: Retirement Age Percent Reduction 55 20% 56 17% 57 14% 58 11% 59 8% 60 5% 61 2% 62 0% 63 0% 64 0% (ii) Any member who retired on or after September 1, 2008, and chose the three percent per year reduction provided under (a) of this subsection shall have a retirement allowance recalculated under the reductions of (b)(i) of this subsection for benefit payments made on or after January 1, 2024. (c) Members who first become employed by an employer in an eligible position on or after May 1, 2013, are not eligible for the alternate early retirement provisions of (a) or (b) of this subsection. Any member who first becomes employed by an employer in an eligible position on or after May 1, 2013, and has completed at least thirty service credit years and has attained age fifty-five shall be eligible to retire and to receive a retirement allowance computed according to the provisions of RCW 41.35.620 , except that a member retiring pursuant to this subsection shall have the retirement allowance reduced by five percent per year to reflect the difference in the number of years between age at retirement and the attainment of age sixty-five.
RCW 41.76.013 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 76 / Section 013
RCW 41.76.013: Application of RCW 41.56.067—Bargaining representative access to new employees.
Status: in_force

*RCW 41.56.067 applies to this chapter.
RCW 41.35.020 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 35 / Section 020
RCW 41.35.020: System created—Administration.
Status: in_force

A retirement system is hereby created for the employees of school districts or educational service districts. The administration and management of the retirement system, the responsibility for making effective the provisions of this chapter, and the authority to make all rules necessary therefor are hereby vested in the department. All such rules shall be governed by the provisions of chapter 34.05 RCW. This retirement system shall be known as the Washington school employees' retirement system.
RCW 41.26.436 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 26 / Section 436
RCW 41.26.436: Transfer of service credit from other retirement system—Firefighter serving at a prison or civil commitment center on an island.
Status: in_force

(1) A member of plan 2 or plan 3 who was a member of the public employees' retirement system while employed by the department of social and health services or the department of corrections as a firefighter serving at a prison or civil commitment center on an island has the following options: (a) Remain a member of the public employees' retirement system; (b) Leave any service credit earned as a member of the public employees' retirement system in the public employees' retirement system, and have all future service earned in the law enforcement officers' and firefighters' retirement system plan 2, becoming a dual member under the provisions of chapter 41.54 RCW; or (c) Make an election no later than one year from June 7, 2018, filed in writing with the department of retirement systems, to transfer service credit previously earned as a firefighter for the department of corrections or the department of social and health services in the public employees' retirement system plan 2 or plan 3 to the law enforcement officers' and firefighters' retirement system plan 2 as defined in RCW 41.26.030 . (2)(a) A member who elects to transfer service credit under subsection (1)(c) of this section shall make the payments required by this subsection prior to having service credit earned as a firefighter for the department of corrections or the department of social and health service[s] under the public employees' retirement system plan 2 or plan 3 transferred to the law enforcement officers' and firefighters' retirement system plan 2. (b)(i) A member of plan 2 who elects to transfer service credit under this subsection shall pay, for the applicable period of service, the difference between the contributions the employee paid to the public employees' retirement system plan 2 and the contributions that would have been paid by the employee had the employee been a member of the law enforcement officers' and firefighters' retirement system plan 2. (ii) A member of plan 3 who elects to transfer service credit under this subsection shall pay, for the applicable period of service, the amount of the contributions that would have been paid by the employee had the employee been a member of the law enforcement officers' and firefighters' [retirement system] plan 2. That payment may be made in whole or in part as a rollover from the plan 3 member's individual member account. (iii) The payments in (b)(i) and (ii) of this subsection must be made no later than five years from the effective date of the election made under subsection (1)(c) of this section and must be made prior to retirement, except under (d) of this subsection. (c) Upon completion of the payment required in (b) of this subsection, the department shall transfer from the public employees' retirement system plan 2 or plan 3 to the law enforcement officers' and firefighters' retirement system plan 2: (i) All of the employee's applicable accumulated contributions plus interest and an equal amount of employer contributions; and (ii) All service credit earned as a firefighter for the department of corrections or the department of social and health services as a firefighter serving at a prison or civil commitment center on an island as though that service was rendered as a member of the law enforcement officers' and firefighters' retirement system plan 2. (d) If a member who elected to transfer pursuant to this section dies or retires for disability prior to five years from their election date, the member's benefit is calculated as follows: (i) All of the applicable service credit, accumulated contributions, and interest is transferred to the law enforcement officers' and firefighters' retirement system plan 2 and used in the calculation of a benefit. (ii) If a member's obligation under (b) of this subsection has not been paid in full at the time of death or disability retirement, the member, or in the case of death the surviving spouse or eligible minor children, have the following options: (A) Pay the bill in full; (B) If a continuing monthly benefit is chosen, have the benefit actuarially reduced to reflect the amount of the unpaid obligation under (b) of this subsection; or (C) Continue to make payment against the obligation under (b) of this subsection, provided that payment in full is made no later than five years from the member's original election date. (e) Upon transfer of service credit, contributions, and interest under this subsection, the employee is permanently excluded from membership in the public employees' retirement system for all service transfers related to their time served as a firefighter for the department of corrections or the department of social and health services serving at a prison or civil commitment center located on an island under the public employees' retirement system.
RCW 41.80.370 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 80 / Section 370
RCW 41.80.370: Uniformed personnel—Higher education—Right to strike not granted.
Status: in_force

The right of uniformed personnel to engage in any strike, work slowdown, or stoppage is not granted. An employee organization recognized as the exclusive bargaining representative of uniformed personnel subject to this chapter that willfully disobeys a lawful order of enforcement by a superior court pursuant to this section and RCW 41.80.360 , or willfully offers resistance to such order, whether by strike or otherwise, is in contempt of court as provided in chapter 7.21 RCW. An employer that willfully disobeys a lawful order of enforcement by a superior court pursuant to RCW 41.80.360 or willfully offers resistance to such order is in contempt of court as provided in chapter 7.21 RCW.
RCW 41.04.415 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 04 / Section 415
RCW 41.04.415: Consolidation of local governmental unit and first-class city retirement system—Membership in first-class city retirement system.
Status: in_force

If a consolidated employer is a city operating a first-class city retirement system under chapter 41.28 RCW prior to the consolidation: (1) All existing employees of the consolidated employer who are active members of the first-class city retirement system immediately prior to the consolidation shall continue to be members of that retirement system while employed by the consolidated employer. (2) All existing employees of the consolidated employer who are active members of the public employees' retirement system under chapter 41.40 RCW immediately prior to the consolidation shall cease to be members of that system at the time of the consolidation and, if eligible, shall immediately become members of the first-class city retirement system. However, any such active member may, by a writing filed with the consolidated employer within thirty days after the consolidation or within thirty days after March 15, 1984, whichever is later, irrevocably elect instead to continue to be a member of the public employees' retirement system, thereby forever waiving any rights under the first-class city retirement system based upon such employment with the consolidated employer. (3) Only prospective periods of qualifying service under the first-class city retirement system may be established under this section.
RCW 41.48.140 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 48 / Section 140
RCW 41.48.140: Establishment of sick leave rules by personnel authorities.
Status: in_force

Nothing in RCW 41.48.120 or 41.48.130 shall affect the power of the office of financial management or any other state personnel authority to establish sick leave rules except as may be required under RCW 41.48.120 or 41.48.130 : PROVIDED, That each personnel board and personnel authority shall establish the maximum number of working days an employee under its jurisdiction may be absent on account of sickness or accident disability without a medical certificate. "Personnel authority" as used in this section, means a state agency, board, committee, or similar body having general authority to establish personnel rules.
RCW 41.76.070 — Washington Code / Title 41 / Chapter 76 / Section 070
RCW 41.76.070: Certain contracts or agreements—Chapter 34.05 RCW does not apply.
Status: in_force

Contracts or agreements, or any provision thereof, entered into between boards of regents or trustees and exclusive bargaining representatives pursuant to this chapter are not affected by or subject to chapter 34.05 RCW.