Short answer: in Plans 2 and 3, Option 1 pays the most, for your life only. Options 2 to 4 pay you less so a survivor gets a monthly payment after you die, and DRS's factors set how much less, based on your ages. Plan 1 has its own Maximum Option and Option 1. See survivor benefits, the COLA and retiree health. See your options in the calculator.
Plans 2 and 3: four options
- Option 1: Single Life. Highest amount, for your life only.
- Option 2: Joint and 100% Survivor. Your survivor gets 100% of your amount for life.
- Option 3: Joint and 50% Survivor. Your survivor gets 50% of your amount for life.
- Option 4: Joint and 66.67% Survivor. Your survivor gets 66.67% of your amount for life.
In dollars: DRS's $2,484 Plan 2 pension at 65
Option 1 is $2,484 a month (DRS's example: 23 years, $5,400 AFC). With DRS's 2026 factors, by how much younger your survivor is:
| Survivor | Option 2 100% | Option 3 50% | Option 4 66.67% |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 years older | $2,260.44 ×0.91; survivor $2,260 | $2,367.25 ×0.953; survivor $1,184 | $2,329.99 ×0.938; survivor $1,553 |
| same age | $2,178.47 ×0.877; survivor $2,178 | $2,322.54 ×0.935; survivor $1,161 | $2,272.86 ×0.915; survivor $1,515 |
| 2 years younger | $2,106.43 ×0.848; survivor $2,106 | $2,280.31 ×0.918; survivor $1,140 | $2,218.21 ×0.893; survivor $1,479 |
| 5 years younger | $2,036.88 ×0.82; survivor $2,037 | $2,238.08 ×0.901; survivor $1,119 | $2,168.53 ×0.873; survivor $1,446 |
| 10 years younger | $1,949.94 ×0.785; survivor $1,950 | $2,183.44 ×0.879; survivor $1,092 | $2,098.98 ×0.845; survivor $1,399 |
Plan 3 works the same way on its smaller pension: DRS's $1,242 becomes $1,053.22 under Option 2 with a survivor two years younger. DRS Administrative Factors workbook 2026, sheets Appx E (TRS1 Opt1) and Appx G (J&S); DRS TRS23RAPP 11/2022, p. 6 ('the total life expectancy for you and your survivor determines the exact percentage of reduction')
DRS's survivor factors go by the age difference between you and your survivor, but the table doesn't say which age is subtracted from which.
What we use: your age minus your survivor's age, in whole years. A younger survivor means a bigger reduction, which is how these tables work elsewhere.
Plan 1: five options
- Maximum Option: Highest amount, lifetime only; remaining contributions stay with the trust fund; estate gets any final monthly payment.
- Option 1: Second-highest amount; if you die before receiving your contributions plus interest (as of retirement), the difference goes to your beneficiary.
- Option 2: your survivor gets 100% for life.
- Option 3: your survivor gets 50% for life.
- Option 4: your survivor gets 66.67% for life.
In dollars: a $2,484 Maximum Option at 65, survivor two years younger
| Option | You get | With the Optional COLA |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum Option Single Life | $2,484 ×1 | $1,914.42 |
| Option 1 Single Life | $2,431.36 ×0.9788 | $1,873.85 |
| Option 2 Joint and 100% Survivor | $2,044.77 ×0.8232; survivor $2,045 | $1,575.90 |
| Option 3 Joint and 50% Survivor | $2,222.26 ×0.8946; survivor $1,111 | $1,712.70 |
| Option 4 Joint and 66.67% Survivor | $2,159.05 ×0.8692; survivor $1,439 | $1,663.98 |
Option 1 = Maximum × DRS's Option 1 factor for age 65 (0.9788). Options 2-4 = Option 1 × the survivor factor. The Optional COLA column multiplies by the age-65 Optional COLA factor (0.7707); that lower start then rises with prices. DRS Administrative Factors workbook 2026, sheets Appx E (TRS1 Opt1) and Appx G (J&S); DRS TRS23RAPP 11/2022, p. 6 ('the total life expectancy for you and your survivor determines the exact percentage of reduction'); DRS Washington TRS Plan 1 page, Plan 1 optional COLA; DRS TRS1RAPP 11/2022, p. 3, Optional Cost-of-Living Adjustment; DRS Administrative Factors workbook 2026, sheet Appx F (Plan1 Opt COLA); RCW 41.32.530(1)(d)
For Plan 1, the sources don't say whether a survivor option is figured from the Maximum Option or from Option 1.
What we use: Option 1 (Maximum × the Option 1 factor), then the survivor factor on top. This gives the lower of the two readings.
The Plan 1 Optional COLA lowers your starting check by an age-based factor. The sources don't say exactly which amount the factor applies to.
What we use: the factor times the option you pick.
Plan 1's Option 1 and Optional COLA factors are listed by whole age. The sources don't say how DRS rounds your age.
What we use: your age in whole years on your retirement date.
DRS's survivor factors
Factors by age difference (your age minus your survivor's). The plan's own tables run from −20 to +40.
| Age difference | Plans 2-3: Opt 2 | Opt 3 | Opt 4 | Plan 1: Opt 2 | Opt 3 | Opt 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| -10 | 0.943 | 0.971 | 0.961 | 0.935 | 0.966 | 0.956 |
| -5 | 0.92 | 0.959 | 0.945 | 0.913 | 0.954 | 0.94 |
| 0 | 0.877 | 0.935 | 0.915 | 0.87 | 0.931 | 0.91 |
| +2 | 0.848 | 0.918 | 0.893 | 0.841 | 0.914 | 0.888 |
| +5 | 0.82 | 0.901 | 0.873 | 0.816 | 0.899 | 0.869 |
| +10 | 0.785 | 0.879 | 0.845 | 0.785 | 0.88 | 0.846 |
| +15 | 0.752 | 0.858 | 0.82 | 0.759 | 0.863 | 0.825 |
| +20 | 0.723 | 0.839 | 0.797 | 0.738 | 0.849 | 0.808 |
| Age difference | Plans 2-3: Opt 2 | Opt 3 | Opt 4 | Plan 1: Opt 2 | Opt 3 | Opt 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| -10 | 0.941 | 0.969 | 0.96 | 0.932 | 0.965 | 0.954 |
| -5 | 0.918 | 0.957 | 0.944 | 0.909 | 0.953 | 0.938 |
| 0 | 0.88 | 0.936 | 0.917 | 0.872 | 0.932 | 0.911 |
| +2 | 0.857 | 0.923 | 0.9 | 0.85 | 0.919 | 0.894 |
| +5 | 0.831 | 0.907 | 0.88 | 0.825 | 0.904 | 0.876 |
| +10 | 0.796 | 0.887 | 0.854 | 0.796 | 0.886 | 0.854 |
| +15 | 0.765 | 0.867 | 0.83 | 0.77 | 0.87 | 0.834 |
| +20 | 0.738 | 0.849 | 0.808 | 0.75 | 0.857 | 0.818 |
Plan 1 factors by age (2026)
| Age | Option 1 factor | Optional COLA factor |
|---|---|---|
| 60 | 0.9868835 | 0.7464 |
| 62 | 0.9837711 | 0.7558 |
| 65 | 0.9788086 | 0.7707 |
| 67 | 0.9740868 | 0.7811 |
| 70 | 0.9644607 | 0.7976 |
| 75 | 0.9443986 | 0.8266 |
Rules to know
- If you are married or in a registered domestic partnership and do not name your spouse/partner as survivor, their notarized consent is required; without it DRS uses Option 3 (joint and 50%) with the spouse as survivor. DRS TRS23RAPP 11/2022, p. 10, Spousal/Registered Domestic Partner Declaration of Consent; RCW 41.32.785(2)(a), 41.32.851(2)(a), 41.32.530(2)(a)
- If your survivor dies before you, you can have your benefit changed to the single-life amount beginning the month after the death. DRS TRS23RAPP 11/2022, p. 6, Survivor Benefit Options; DRS Washington TRS Plan 2 page, Death of a beneficiary or survivor
- Retirees have up to 90 calendar days after receiving their first retirement payment to change their survivor election, once the IRS confirms this conforms with federal law. RCW 41.32.785(6), 41.32.851(5)
- If you marry after retirement, you can add your spouse as survivor; you need to be married at least a year and request it during your second year of marriage. DRS Washington TRS Plan 2 page, Marriage; RCW 41.32.785(4)(a)
- DRS may pay a lump sum instead of a monthly Plan 2 benefit under $250 (threshold increased annually); the application lets you choose a lump sum if Option 1 is below the minimum in your estimate. RCW 41.32.762(1); DRS TRS23RAPP 11/2022, p. 6
What the sources say
- Plans 2 and 3 have four options. Option 1 pays the highest amount for your life only. Options 2, 3 and 4 pay less, then continue 100%, 50% or 66.67% of your benefit to one survivor for life.DRS TRS23RAPP 11/2022, p. 6, Single Life and Survivor Benefit Options
- Plan 1 has five options. The Maximum Option pays the most, for your life only. Option 1 pays a bit less but refunds any contributions you haven't yet received. Options 2, 3 and 4 continue 100%, 50% or 66.67% to a survivor.DRS Washington TRS Plan 1 page, Your survivor benefit options
- Check with DRSHow much a survivor option reduces your benefit depends on the age difference between you and your survivor. Example (2026 Washington TRS Plan 2/3 factors, survivor two years younger): Option 2 pays 84.8%, Option 3 pays 91.8%, and Option 4 pays 89.3% of Option 1.DRS Administrative Factors workbook 2026, sheet Appx G (J&S), Washington TRS 2/3The table doesn't say which age is subtracted; we assume member age minus survivor age (see rules.json needsValidation 'js-age-difference-sign').
- If you're married or in a registered domestic partnership and don't name your spouse or partner as survivor, they must give notarized consent. Without it, DRS pays Option 3 with your spouse as survivor.DRS TRS23RAPP 11/2022, p. 10, Spousal/Registered Domestic Partner Declaration of Consent
- If your survivor dies before you, you can switch to the single-life amount starting the month after the death.DRS TRS23RAPP 11/2022, p. 6, Survivor Benefit Options
Questions
Which option pays the most?
Plans 2 and 3: Option 1, for your life only. Plan 1: the Maximum Option. Survivor options pay you less so payments can continue to one survivor for life.
How much less does a survivor option pay?
It depends on the age difference between you and your survivor. With a survivor two years younger, DRS's 2026 factors give 0.848 for Option 2 (100% to the survivor), 0.918 for Option 3 (50%) and 0.893 for Option 4 (66.67%).
What if my survivor dies first?
You can switch to the single-life amount starting the month after the death.
Does my spouse have to agree?
If you're married or in a registered domestic partnership and don't pick your spouse or partner as survivor, they must sign a notarized consent. Without it, DRS pays Option 3 with your spouse as survivor.
Can I change my mind?
You have 90 days after your first payment to change your survivor choice, once the IRS confirms this is allowed. A survivor who dies first, or a marriage after retirement, also lets you make a change.
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); TRS23RAPP (11/2022) pp. 6, 10; TRS1RAPP (11/2022) pp. 3, 6; DRS administrative factors 2026; RCW 41.32.530, 41.32.762, 41.32.785, 41.32.851. Last reviewed .