Short answer: each extra year adds 2% of your AFC in Plans 1 and 2, or 1% in Plan 3 (see the formula). Before 65 in Plans 2 and 3 it also shrinks the early cut, and reaching 30 years can switch you to a much better early retirement factor. Load the Plan 2 example below in the calculator, or see the COLA.
Plan 2: a teacher at 57 with 27 years
An example of ours: first hired in 1998, AFC $6,000 a month, starting the pension on July 1 each year. The AFC stays the same; raises would add more.
| Start at | Years | Factor | Plan 2 | Gain | Plan 3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 57 | 27 | ×0.4844 actuarial | $1,569.46 | — | $784.73 |
| 58 | 28 | ×0.5213 actuarial | $1,751.57 | +$182 | $875.78 |
| 59 | 29 | ×0.5698 actuarial | $1,982.90 | +$231 | $991.45 |
| 60 | 30 | ×0.95 2008 factor | $3,420 | +$1,437 | $1,710 |
| 61 | 31 | ×0.98 2008 factor | $3,645.60 | +$226 | $1,822.80 |
| 62 | 32 | none 2008 factor | $3,840 | +$194 | $1,920 |
| 63 | 33 | none 2008 factor | $3,960 | +$120 | $1,980 |
| 64 | 34 | none 2008 factor | $4,080 | +$120 | $2,040 |
| 65 | 35 | none none | $4,200 | +$120 | $2,100 |
Plan 3 shows the pension only, not the investment account. RCW 41.32.760; DRS Washington TRS Plan 2 page, Your income: Washington TRS Plan 2 formula; RCW 41.32.765(2), 41.32.875(2); WAC 415-02-320(1), (3)(a); DRS Administrative Factors workbook 2026, sheet Appx B (ERF), table 'Early Retirement Factors: PERS 2/3, Washington TRS 2/3 and SERS 2/3'; RCW 41.32.765(3)(b)(i) (Plan 2), 41.32.875(3)(b)(i) (Plan 3); DRS Washington TRS Plan 2 page, Early retirement factors for 30 or more years of service (2008 ERF 0.80-1.00)
To find future dates, we assume you earn a full year of service for each year you keep working. Part-time work earns less.
What we use: one year of service per year until your pension starts.
Plan 1: the 60% cap
| Years | Maximum Option | Gain |
|---|---|---|
| 28 | $3,360 | — |
| 29 | $3,480 | +$120 |
| 30 | $3,600 | +$120 |
| 31 (capped) | $3,600 | +$0 |
Same $6,000 monthly AFC. Past 30 years (60% of AFC), more service adds nothing. RCW 41.32.498(2); DRS Washington TRS Plan 1 page, Your income: Washington TRS Plan 1 formula
The Post-30-Year Program
Plan 1 members with 30 service credit years can, within six months of reaching 30 years, choose to have post-30-year contributions (6%) go to a separate refundable account earning 7.5% interest (compounded quarterly), refunded at retirement. The benefit is then based on the two highest consecutive fiscal years before joining (annual and leave cash-outs at retirement still count). DRS Washington TRS Plan 1 page, Refund after 30 years of service; RCW 41.32.4986
Plan 3: stop working, let the pension grow
If you leave with at least 20 years and wait to start your Plan 3 pension, it grows 0.25% for each month you wait, until you start 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
What the sources say
- Each extra year of service adds 2% of AFC a month in Plans 1 and 2 (1% in Plan 3), and a raise can increase your AFC. Before 65, each year you wait also shrinks or removes the early-retirement reduction. Plan 1 stops growing from service once you reach 60% of AFC.DRS Washington TRS Plan 2 page, Washington TRS Plan 2 formula and Early retirement; RCW 41.32.498(2)
- Plan 3 indexing: if you leave with at least 20 years and don't start your pension, it grows 0.25% for each month you wait (about 3% a year) until you start or reach 65. Example: a $1,000 pension grows to about $1,030 if you stop at 64 and start at 65. Working the extra year to 65 instead gives $1,050.DRS Washington TRS Plan 3 page, Plan 3 benefit indexing and Benefit indexing example; RCW 41.32.840(2)
- Plan 1 members with 30 years can join the Post-30-Year Program within six months. Contributions after 30 years go into a refundable account earning 7.5% and are paid back at retirement, but the benefit is based on the salary years before you joined.DRS Washington TRS Plan 1 page, Refund after 30 years of service; RCW 41.32.4986
Questions
What does one more year add?
In Plans 1 and 2, 2% of your AFC a month for life; in Plan 3, 1%. Before 65 in Plans 2 and 3, it also raises your early retirement factor.
What's the biggest jump?
Reaching 30 years before 65. In our example, a Plan 2 teacher going from 29 to 30 years moves from the actuarial factor (×0.5698) to the 2008 factor (×0.95), and the pension goes from $1,983 to $3,420 a month.
Does Plan 1 keep growing?
Only until 30 years. Plan 1 stops at 60% of AFC, so later years add nothing unless your AFC rises. The Post-30-Year Program lets you get your later contributions back instead.
What if I stop working but wait to start my Plan 3 pension?
With 20 or more years, a Plan 3 pension grows 0.25% for each month you wait, until you start it or reach 65 (Plan 3 benefit indexing).
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 administrative factors 2026; RCW 41.32.498, 41.32.760, 41.32.765, 41.32.840, 41.32.875, 41.32.4986; WAC 415-02-320. Last reviewed .