Department of Retirement Systems

My husband and I received excellent service from DRS. The customer service and communication were outstanding.

Not sure why there are negative comments, but they have always been great with me so far. Can't say I have really needed much from them, as of yet, but my money is safe, and I can and have made changes whenever I have needed which tend to get completed on time and with little effort.

Only desire is for their website to catch up with the times, circa 2023, because it does seem pretty dated with little to no ability to visually see what your retirement projections are or how they may change up or down.

The Voya site for the DCP contributions is way better and what I am suggesting the PERS 2 website maybe take a que from to allow for a bit more info provided.

Other than that minor complaint.... easy peasy for the rest.

Deuces

Amazing customer service - I can't tell you how patient and kind the representatives are at DRS. They took the time to explain my retirement options, and fully answered my questions. Great experience (much better than the Health Care Authority, which is a nightmare. Good work, DRS!

I received very good service. DRS was quite helpful in navigating the process of retiring. The people I spoke with were as respectful as possible.

Very Helpful - was clear and walked me through the process!

The staff is extremely professional and knowledgeable. Wait time is minimal.

Marvelous place

I've been retired for 15 years plus. Never had an issue with any requests I've made. Staff have been nice. Quick in and out. Professional both in person and by telephone. Wheelchair accessible and handicapped parking.

Great folks when you can finally get a hold of someone... CONSTANTLY on hold for nearly an hour every time I call.

:o(

Clearly understaffed w/inadequate and inconsistent information and long wait times. What one DRS employee told me would be completed "by the end of the next week," another is saying could take up to 90 days. And they don't have any details to share of why a simple request could take so long to process.

If I could give negative stars I would. I am a state employee and all my information is public record. Apparently DRS tells you what they want which is nothing. No emails, no real help. I spent most of today just trying to get through the system to get help with my account. After waiting on hold then being hung up on, trying the “call me back” only to have the system call me back and then PUT ME ON HOLD AGAIN, the girl got me locked out 1st thing. Then her supervisor called me up and told me he could help me or let me be sarcastic when I told him so far I didn’t have a lot of faith in their system. After his help I STILL don’t have access to anything yet but he is hopeful. I was told not to worry though she escalated an email for me, they don’t send you anything or confirm that but maybe someone will see my complaint one day and I imagine do absolutely nothing.

Today, February 20, 2024, I have been on hold for almost an hour. We did not receive our 1099R forms and we want to get our taxes done. We need them to answer!!

Maybe if these liberals would demand employees get back to the office I would not have been on the phone for 65 minutes hearing “we are unable to take your call back at this time, please continue to hold” an underestimated 700 times. No kidding. But liberals still want govt money going for covid that never got to people. Liberal cities are cesspools. This agency is terrible. What what do you expect from king county who forces people to accept their liberal policies or be terminated. I speak from experience.

I received very bad customer service from the DRS located in Olympia. One representative couldn’t answer any of my questions and just responded with “No”. I had to have his manager call me back to explain why a form I sent in was rejected. They must be very desperate for staff and are unfortunately hiring incompetent employees whose feelings get hurt when asked simple questions. I’m looking forward to transferring my funds to a different provider.

Not Good. They couldn't care less about your situation or explain why processing things take over 6 months, and still going. I retired in June of 2022 after 20 years. Still waiting to hear what the problem is. Legal action is my next course of action. WA DRS is TRASH! Get government out of this business. They're no better than a private company. Trash I tell you.

Tried to take care of some business over the phone, for my 92 yo legally blind mother, who just had hip replacement surgery. Absolutely no help from these folks whatsoever.
Not trying to change anything in her deposit, merely an address change, as we had to move her to assisted living. I also tried to set up online access, to no avail. It seems the only recourse is to make an appointment and
try to get her to a DRS office in a wheelchair.
I don't have great hope for their ability to assist me when I retire from state service in a few years.

My wife submitted her benefit estimate request 22 weeks ago. She can't even apply for retirement until the estimate is reviewed and the retirement application form is sent. She will be 65 in less than 3 months and can't even apply for her retirement funds. Ridiculous!!

Management was bad and got worse since VOYA got involved. Now confusing new website. Called 7 time last 6 months to correct their mistake, yet not corrected. Requested to talk to a manager but I was denied and told that the manager will call you, waited for 4 hours and nobody called.