The 2021 Legislative Session is scheduled to run Monday, January 11 through Sunday, April 25 (105 days). Information regarding Legislation having an impact on LEOFF Plan 2 is posted as it becomes available. The LEOFF Plan 2 Retirement Board did not endorse any legislation for the 2021 Legislative Session.

For general legislative information, bills not listed on this site, or information about accessing the Legislature’s COVID-19 Session Plan, please visit the Washington State Legislature.

Bills Impacting LEOFF 2

Automatic Refunds of Certain Retirement Contributions (SB 5367 | SB 5369)

SB 5367 | SB 5369

Directs the Department of Retirement Systems to create rules regarding automatic refunds of retirement contributions in the retirement systems, including LEOFF Plan 2, for non-vested inactive members whose account balance is less than one thousand dollars.

• Status SB 5367:
  • February 26: Passed the Senate
  • March 17: Referred to Rules 2

2021 – 2023 Operating Appropriations Budget (SHB 1094 | ESSB 5092)

SHB 1094 | ESSB 5092

Board Requested Budget Items:

LEOFF Plan 2 Funding (Sections 719 and 949)
Both the Senate (ESSB 5092) and House (SHB 1094) budgets provide biennial funding of $168.8 million for LEOFF plan 2. Appropriations reflect pension rates adopted by the pension funding council and the law enforcement officers’ and firefighters’ plan 2 retirement board.

Agency Relocation
Both the Senate and House budgets include funding consistent with the agency’s request to biennialize and fully fund the fiscal impact of the agency relocation.

Other Budget Items Affecting LEOFF 2 Board:

Benefit Improvement Account Transfer (Section 805)
The House budget provides for the transfer of $600 million from the Law Enforcement Officers’ and Fire Fighters’ Plan 2 Retirement fund into the law enforcement officers' and firefighters' retirement system benefits improvement account.

Ombudsman Position (Section 153)
The Senate budget provides funding for an additional full-time equivalent position to staff an ombudsman services program. The ombudsman services program will provide information and advice and assist members and survivors regarding the benefits and services for which they qualify.

SIB Conference Room Usage (Section 141)
Both the Senate and House budgets specify that during the 2021-2023 fiscal biennium, the Washington state investment board shall provide the law enforcement officers' and firefighters' plan 2 retirement board use of the investment board main conference room. Costs may be reimbursed for expenses related to the use.

• SHB 1094 Status:
  • April 1: Referred to Rules 2
• ESSB 5092 Status:
  • April 1: 1st substitute bill passed the Senate (View 1st Engrossed)
  • April 3: Passed the House.

Concerning Plans 1 and 2 of the State Retirement Systems (SB 5453)

SB 5453

Merges TRS Plan 1 and LEOFF Plan 1 into a new retirement system, called "the merged LEOFF1/TRS1 retirement plan. Provides a $20,000 payment to all LEOFF Plan 1 members or survivors. Transfers the funds from the LEOFF Plan 2 Benefit Improvement Account into the LEOFF Plan 2 Retirement Fund to provide a benefit improvement to LEOFF Plan 2 members. Provides a $20,000 payment to all LEOFF Plan 2 retirees or survivors with at least 15 years of service. Provides a $20,000 payment to all LEOFF 2 survivor beneficiaries of a member who died in the line of duty. Beginning January 1, 2022, provides active members of LEOFF Plan 2 with more than 15 years of service credit a retirement benefit as follows:

• 2% of such member's final average salary for the first 15 years of service;
• 2.5% of such member's final average salary for the 10 years of service between 15 and up to 26; and
• 2% of such member's final average salary for years of service above 26.7