Short answer: with 5 years of service you can usually leave your money in and draw a pension later. In Plans 1 and 2 a refund of your contributions plus interest gives that pension up. In Plan 3 you can withdraw your own investment account after you leave; the employer-funded pension stays with the plan (see Plan 3's account). For taxes on a refund, see taxes; to restore withdrawn service later, see buying service. Estimate the pension you'd keep.
Vested? Then you have a pension waiting
| Plan | Vested after | Pension can start |
|---|---|---|
| Plan 1 | 5 years | 60 with 5 years (55 with 25; any age with 30) |
| Plan 2 | 5 years | 65 full; 55 reduced with 20 years |
| Plan 3 | 10 years, or 5 with 12 months after age 44 | 65 full; 55 reduced with 10 years |
Plans 1 and 2: the refund trade-off
After separating, Plan 1 and 2 members can withdraw their contributions plus interest. Withdrawing sets service credit to zero and forfeits the pension (which is the only way to receive employer contributions). Inactive non-vested accounts under $1,000 are closed and refunded. DRS Plan 1 or Plan 2 Contribution Withdrawal form DRS MS 287 10/2026, p. 1 and p. 4; DRS Washington TRS Plan 2 page, Separating; RCW 41.32.820
Plan 3: the account is yours
Plan 3 members can withdraw their investment account any time after separating; the employer-funded pension stays with the plan. DRS Washington TRS Plan 3 page, What if you separate before retirement? The Plan 3 investment account
If you leave Plan 3 with at least 20 years and wait to start the pension, it grows 0.25% a month until you start it or reach 65. RCW 41.32.840(2) ('compounded for each month from the date of separation to the date that the retirement allowance commences'); DRS Washington TRS Plan 3 page, Plan 3 benefit indexing; Plan 3 pension increases
Timing and coming back
- About 90 days from when DRS receives your separation date. DRS Withdrawals page; RCW 41.32.820
- Plan 1/2 members who withdrew and return can restore service by repaying withdrawn contributions plus interest (deadlines apply); later purchases cost more. DRS Washington TRS Plan 1 page, Returning to public service; RCW 41.32.064
- Taxes apply to refunds of pre-tax money. Taxes
What the sources say
- If you leave a Plan 1 or Plan 2 job, you can withdraw your contributions plus interest. Doing so sets your service to zero and gives up the pension, which is the only way to receive what your employer paid in. With 5 or more years you can leave the money in and take a pension later.DRS MS 287 10/2026, p. 1 and p. 4; DRS Washington TRS Plan 2 page, Separating
- Plan 3 members can withdraw their investment account any time after leaving. The employer-funded pension stays in the plan, and if you're vested you can collect it at retirement.DRS Washington TRS Plan 3 page, What if you separate before retirement?
- If you return to teaching after a withdrawal, you may be able to restore the service by repaying the contributions plus interest within set deadlines.DRS Washington TRS Plan 1 page, Returning to public service
Questions
If I leave, do I lose my pension?
Not if you're vested and leave your contributions in. Plans 1 and 2 vest at 5 years; Plan 3 at 10 years, or 5 with 12 months of service after age 44. Your pension is then paid when you reach the plan's retirement age.
Can I get my money back?
Plans 1 and 2: you can withdraw your contributions plus interest after you leave, but that gives up the pension. Plan 3: you can take your investment account any time after you leave, and the employer-paid pension stays in the plan.
How long does a refund take?
About 90 days from when DRS gets your separation date.
Can I buy the service back later?
If you return to a covered job, you may be able to restore withdrawn Plan 1 or Plan 2 service by repaying it with interest, within deadlines.
Source: DRS plan pages for Washington TRS Plan 1, Plan 2 and Plan 3 (the DRS member handbook is now published as these web pages), retrieved Nov. 11, 2026, DRS plan pages (Plan 1, Plan 2, Plan 3); DRS Withdrawals page; RCW 41.32.064, 41.32.470, 41.32.765, 41.32.815, 41.32.820, 41.32.840, 41.32.875; DRS withdrawal form MS 287 (10/2026); DRS newly vested checklist (08/2026). Last reviewed .