When you’re ready to announce your retirement, you’ll need to contact the Chief of the Fire Department, the City of Seattle, and the State of Washington.

The Chief of the Fire Department and the Department Administration: You must submit a letter to the Fire Chief via the chain of command to notify the Department of your impending retirement. Be sure to include your retirement date in your letter.

Copy the Department’s Personnel Manager, Dori Towler (Dori.Towler@seattle.gov), on your email to the chain of command, or call her at 206-386-1471 with the date of your last shift. She will send you the department’s retirement packet (details below) and notify the HealthCare Trust and MERP of your upcoming retirement.

Failure to notify the Department in a timely manner could delay your cash out. It could also delay the official notification to the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems (DRS) or the Deferred Compensation administrator.

Have questions? Call 206-386-1471 to speak with the Department’s Personnel Specialist in the Human Resources Division.

The Washington State Department of Retirement Systems (DRS): The Department of Retirement Systems strongly recommends that you begin your retirement planning at least one year before your planned retirement date. The department has created a helpful retirement checklist that guides you through early retirement planning and the steps you need to take in the year before you retire.

Here are a few important things you need to do 30 to 90 days before your retirement:

• If you haven’t already, sign up for a DRS account at www.drs.wa.gov to view and manage your retirement account information.
• Use your online account to verify the accuracy of your service credit. If you find any information you believe is incorrect, contact the DRS.
• Request an official estimate of your monthly benefit payment. You can do this securely through your online account or by calling DRS at 800-548-6657.
• Contact the DRS if you need to make changes to your official estimate (for example, to change your retirement date or survivor option).
• Apply for retirement through your online account.
• Review your acknowledgment letter to ensure it’s accurate. This important letter summarizes the options you selected. It also lists the forms that still need to be submitted so DRS can process your retirement application. If you applied online, you won’t receive this letter. Instead, review the final page of your application and the emailed receipt to verify your retirement option and see whether additional documentation is needed.
• Pay any outstanding optional annuity or service credit invoices.
• If you have Plan 3, decide when you want payments from your investment account to begin once you retire. Explore your Plan 3 withdrawal options.
• Complete and return the forms to receive the $3,000 HELPS tax credit.

Click here for the DRS’ full Retirement Planning Checklist.