Notice to DRS Members and Retirees – Public Records Request

Notice to DRS Members and Retirees – Public Records Request

Posted on July 1, 2022

The Department of Retirement Systems (DRS) has received a public records request that seeks information about all members of the state’s retirement systems, including all retirees and members, for the period of July 1, 2020, to June 30, 2021. The requesting organization is The Seattle Times.

DRS has requested and received a copy from The Seattle Times of the Declaration of Non-Commercial Purpose pursuant to RCW 42.56.070(8).

View a copy of this Declaration and additional information provided by The Seattle Times.

DRS has reviewed the request and determined that the following information items are subject to disclosure under the state’s Public Records Act.

• Full Name
• City, State/Province, Country and ZIP/Postal Code
• Date of Birth
• Retirement System/Plan
• Date of Entry
• Service Credit
• Annual Salary
• Average Final Compensation
• Date of Retirement Withdrawal
• Monthly Retirement Benefit
• Retirement Type
• Employee Transmittal Code and Description
• Employer Name, City, State and ZIP Code

The Department intends to provide the information items listed above to the requesting organization on August 15, 2022.

If you are the subject of this public records request, no action is required of you. If you want additional information or have questions about the request, please contact DRS at 844-704-6780 or drs.pdrnotice@drs.wa.gov.

A note about injunctive relief: Individuals who are the subject of a records request often ask if they can seek a court order to prevent the release of their records. Under state law, an agency could be enjoined from releasing records if a court finds that the release “would clearly not be in the public interest and would substantially and irreparably damage any person, or would substantially and irreparably damage vital governmental functions.” To enjoin DRS from releasing records in the current request, the department would need to be served with an injunction prior to the scheduled release date listed above. State agencies cannot provide advice on whether to seek an injunction or whether such an attempt would be successful.

DRS makes no guarantee regarding the security of the information once in the hands of the Seattle Times, nor do we take any responsibility for how they use it.

Lori Y. Yonemitsu, M.Ed., B.Ed.
Executive Assistant
Office of the President