The Department of Retirement Systems (DRS) has just released a new online tool to help you ensure your remaining benefit will quickly go to the right person(s) down the road. Now you can update your beneficiary choices, including mailing addresses and benefit percentages, within your online account access. “We hear from our customers that they want to easily make changes to their information, and they want to see only the information that applies to their specific plans or program,” says DRS Director Marcie Frost. “These new tools allow just that.” When you log in to online account access (under “Your Retirement Account” on the DRS home page), you will see the words “My Account” on the left-hand side of the page. Select this link to find a list of items you can view or edit. Select “Beneficiary Designation” to update your beneficiary information. Once you’re finished, select “Submit.” It’s that easy. Your beneficiary information will stay in your online account. You can update it at any time. This tool is available for active and inactive members of Washington state retirement plans as well as participants in the state Deferred Compensation Program (DCP). If you are already retired or receiving a benefit and want to change your beneficiary designation, you’ll need to submit a paper form for now. We intend to develop an online tool for you at a future date.