Short answer: in Plans 2 and 3, a pension that starts before 65 is multiplied by an early retirement factor. Under 30 years of service you get the actuarial factor, a big cut. With 30 or more years and a hire date before May 1, 2013, you get the gentler 2008 factor or the 3% factor; later hires get 5% a year. Which plan? Which plan am I? See the formula and one more year. Load our Plan 2 example in the calculator.
Plan 1: no early reduction
Plan 1 pays the full formula once you qualify: at any age with 30 years, at 55 with 25 years, or at 60 with 5 years. Before that, you can't retire. DRS Washington TRS Plan 1 page, Service retirement; RCW 41.32.480(1); DRS Washington TRS Plan 1 page, Service retirement; RCW 41.32.480(3); DRS Washington TRS Plan 1 page, Service retirement; RCW 41.32.480(2), 41.32.470; WAC 415-02-320(2)(b)(iii) (no ERF for service retirement from Washington TRS Plan 1)
DRS's Plan 1 page says a benefit at 55 "could be reduced depending on your total years of service." The law and DRS's own rule say Plan 1 has no early-retirement reduction.
What we use: no reduction for Plan 1, as the law says.
Plans 2 and 3: three factors
You can start early at 55 with 20 years (Plan 2) or 10 years (Plan 3). Which factor applies:
| Your service | First hired | Factor | At 55 | At 60 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fewer than 30 years | Any time | Actuarial: the State Actuary's table, by years and months before 65 | ×0.4092 | ×0.6292 |
| 30 years or more | Before May 1, 2013 | 2008 factor (the usual choice): by age, none from 62 | ×0.8 | ×0.95 |
| 3% factor, if you choose it: 3% a year before 65 | ×0.7 | ×0.85 | ||
| 30 years or more | May 1, 2013 or later | 5% factor: 5% a year before 65, prorated by month | ×0.5 | ×0.75 |
Up to 45 days of unused sick leave can count toward the 30 years, but not toward the amount. DRS Washington TRS Plan 2 page, Using sick leave to qualify for retirement
The 5% early retirement factor applies if you first became employed in an eligible position on or after May 1, 2013. Your DRS record has the exact date.
What we use: the date you enter as the date you joined.
Fewer than 30 years: the actuarial factor
DRS's Example 1 teacher: 22 years and a $3,600 AFC. The full Plan 2 pension at 65 would be $1,584 a month ($792 in Plan 3). Starting on the 1st of the month after each birthday:
| Age | 2026 factor | Plan 2 | Plan 3 | 2027 factor | Plan 2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 55 | 0.4092 | $648.17 | $324.09 | 0.4018 | $636.45 |
| 56 | 0.445 | $704.88 | $352.44 | 0.4378 | $693.48 |
| 57 | 0.4844 | $767.29 | $383.64 | 0.4775 | $756.36 |
| 58 | 0.528 | $836.35 | $418.18 | 0.5213 | $825.74 |
| 59 | 0.576 | $912.38 | $456.19 | 0.5698 | $902.56 |
| 60 | 0.6292 | $996.65 | $498.33 | 0.6236 | $987.78 |
| 61 | 0.6882 | $1,090.11 | $545.05 | 0.6833 | $1,082.35 |
| 62 | 0.7538 | $1,194.02 | $597.01 | 0.7497 | $1,187.52 |
| 63 | 0.8269 | $1,309.81 | $654.90 | 0.8239 | $1,305.06 |
| 64 | 0.9085 | $1,439.06 | $719.53 | 0.9069 | $1,436.53 |
Factors for whole years before 65. Between birthdays the table has a factor for each month (for example, 0.4092 at exactly 10 years early). 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'; DRS Washington TRS Plan 2 page, Early retirement factors for less than 30 years of service ('for illustrative purposes only'); same table on the Washington TRS Plan 3 and Administrative Factors pages
DRS has published two early retirement factor tables: one for 2026 and one for 2027. The 2026 table runs through Dec. 31, 2026. DRS doesn't say whether the 2027 table goes by your retirement date or the date you apply.
What we use: the 2026 table for retirement dates through Dec. 1, 2026, and the 2027 table from Jan. 1, 2027.
30 years or more: 2008, 3% or 5%
DRS's Example 2 teacher: 30 years and a $4,400 AFC, so a full Plan 2 pension of $2,640 a month. What each factor leaves:
| Age | 2008 factor | 3% factor | 5% factor | Actuarial (if under 30 yrs) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 55 | $2,112 ×0.8 | $1,848 ×0.7 | $1,320 ×0.5 | $1,080.29 ×0.4092 |
| 56 | $2,191.20 ×0.83 | $1,927.20 ×0.73 | $1,452 ×0.55 | $1,174.80 ×0.445 |
| 57 | $2,270.40 ×0.86 | $2,006.40 ×0.76 | $1,584 ×0.6 | $1,278.82 ×0.4844 |
| 58 | $2,349.60 ×0.89 | $2,085.60 ×0.79 | $1,716 ×0.65 | $1,393.92 ×0.528 |
| 59 | $2,428.80 ×0.92 | $2,164.80 ×0.82 | $1,848 ×0.7 | $1,520.64 ×0.576 |
| 60 | $2,508 ×0.95 | $2,244 ×0.85 | $1,980 ×0.75 | $1,661.09 ×0.6292 |
| 61 | $2,587.20 ×0.98 | $2,323.20 ×0.88 | $2,112 ×0.8 | $1,816.85 ×0.6882 |
| 62 | $2,640 ×1 | $2,402.40 ×0.91 | $2,244 ×0.85 | $1,990.03 ×0.7538 |
| 63 | $2,640 ×1 | $2,481.60 ×0.94 | $2,376 ×0.9 | $2,183.02 ×0.8269 |
| 64 | $2,640 ×1 | $2,560.80 ×0.97 | $2,508 ×0.95 | $2,398.44 ×0.9085 |
2008 and 3% factors: first hired before May 1, 2013. 5% factor: first hired on or after. Plan 3 amounts are half. Ages in whole years. 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); RCW 41.32.765(3)(a), 41.32.875(3)(a); DRS TRS23RAPP 11/2022, p. 4, Early Retirement Factor (ERF) Selection; RCW 41.32.765(3)(c), 41.32.875(3)(c); DRS Washington TRS Plan 2 page, Early retirement - Joined on or after May 1, 2013 ('reduced by 5% for each year (prorated monthly) before you turn age 65')
Choosing between the 2008 and 3% factors
- The 2008 factor is the same or a smaller cut at every age, and it's zero from 62.
- A 2023 law recalculated anyone who retired on or after Sept. 1, 2008 under the 3% factor using the 2008 factor, for payments from Jan. 1, 2024. RCW 41.32.765(3)(a), 41.32.875(3)(a); DRS TRS23RAPP 11/2022, p. 4, Early Retirement Factor (ERF) Selection
- DRS's 2022 application still offers both, and warns that the 2008 factor restricts work before 65.
A 2022 DRS application says people who retire under the 2008 early retirement factor lose their pension for any month they work for a DRS employer before 65, with an exception of up to 867 hours in non-administrative jobs. Current DRS pages and the law don't mention this.
What we use: nothing; the calculator doesn't apply this rule. Ask DRS before you plan to work.
The law lists the 2008 early retirement factor by whole age (55, 56, ... 61). It doesn't say whether the months between birthdays count.
What we use: your age in whole years on your retirement date, so 60 and 11 months uses the age 60 factor (5% off).
The 3% early retirement factor is 3% a year before 65. The sources don't say how part years count.
What we use: 3% a year, prorated by month.
Ways to shrink the cut
- Reach 30 years. It swaps the actuarial factor for the much smaller 2008 or 5% factor. One more year?
- Count sick leave and out-of-state service. Both can help you reach 30 years. Buying service credit
- Wait. Each month closer to 65 raises the factor.
We only have the 2026 and 2027 factor tables. Retirements before 2026 used older factors.
What we use: the 2026 table for any date before 2027. Past retirees' real factors may differ slightly.
What the sources say
- Plan 2 members can retire early at 55 with at least 20 years; Plan 3 members at 55 with at least 10 years. The benefit is reduced for each year and month before 65.DRS Washington TRS Plan 2 page and Washington TRS Plan 3 page, Early retirement; RCW 41.32.765(2), 41.32.875(2)
- With fewer than 30 years, the reduction uses early retirement factors set by the State Actuary. In the 2026 table, retiring at exactly 55 leaves 40.92% of the full benefit. Example: 2% x 22 years x $3,600 x 0.4092 = $648.17 a month.DRS Washington TRS Plan 2 page, Early retirement factors and Example 1; DRS Administrative Factors workbook 2026, sheet Appx B (ERF)
- The factors change. In the 2027 table, retiring exactly 10 years early leaves 40.18% instead of 40.92%.DRS 2027 Early Retirement Factors PERS, SERS and Washington TRS Plans 2 and 3 page
- If you were first hired before May 1, 2013 and have 30 or more years, the 2008 early retirement factor applies: 20% off at 55, 17% at 56, 14% at 57, 11% at 58, 8% at 59, 5% at 60, 2% at 61, and no reduction from 62 on.RCW 41.32.765(3)(b)(i), 41.32.875(3)(b)(i); DRS Washington TRS Plan 2 page, Early retirement factors for 30 or more years of service
- If you were first hired on or after May 1, 2013 and have 30 or more years, the benefit is reduced 5% for each year before 65, prorated by month. Example: age 62, 30 years, $4,400 AFC: 2% x 30 x $4,400 x 85% = $2,244.DRS Washington TRS Plan 2 page, Early retirement - Joined on or after May 1, 2013; RCW 41.32.765(3)(c)
- Members with 30+ years can also choose the older 3% per year reduction (3% ERF). Under a 2023 law, anyone who retired on or after Sept. 1, 2008 under the 3% ERF had their benefit recalculated under the 2008 ERF for payments from Jan. 1, 2024.RCW 41.32.765(3)(a), (3)(b)(ii); DRS TRS23RAPP 11/2022, p. 4, Early Retirement Factor (ERF) Selection
- Up to 45 days of unused sick leave that wasn't cashed out can count as up to two months of service, but only to help you qualify (for example, reaching 30 years for the 2008 ERF). It isn't used in the benefit amount.DRS Washington TRS Plan 2 page, Using sick leave to qualify for retirement
Questions
How early can I retire from Washington TRS?
Plan 2: at 55 with 20 years. Plan 3: at 55 with 10 years. Plan 1 has no early retirement; it pays in full once you qualify (30 years at any age, 25 at 55, or 5 at 60).
What is an early retirement factor?
A number your pension is multiplied by when it starts before 65. 0.6292 at 60 means you keep 62.92% of the full amount. It stays for life.
Which factor do I get?
It depends on your years of service and when you were first hired. Fewer than 30 years: the actuarial factor. 30 or more years and first hired before May 1, 2013: the 2008 factor (or the 3% factor if you choose it). 30 or more years and first hired on or after May 1, 2013: 5% a year before 65.
2008 factor or 3% factor?
The 2008 factor is never a bigger cut than 3% a year, and it's zero from 62. A 2023 law moved people who retired under the 3% factor after Sept. 1, 2008 onto the 2008 factor from Jan. 1, 2024. An older DRS application says the 2008 factor limits working before 65, which current DRS pages don't mention; ask DRS if you plan to work.
Do the actuarial factors change?
Yes. The State Actuary updates them. The 2027 table is a little lower: at exactly 55, 0.4018 instead of 0.4092.
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 2, Plan 3); DRS Administrative Factors page; TRS23RAPP (11/2022) pp. 3, 4; DRS administrative factors 2026; RCW 41.32.765, 41.32.875; WAC 415-02-320. Last reviewed .