Taking care of your health might be one of the smartest financial moves you can make. In this episode, we talk with Heather from the Washington State Health Care Authority (HCA) about preventive screenings and care available to employees enrolled in PEBB and SEBB plans. Many services including well visits, immunizations, mammograms, and colorectal cancer screenings have no out of pocket cost. We discuss when screenings are recommended as you get older and why some important ones are often forgotten.

More information: https://www.hca.wa.gov/employee-retiree-benefits

As you get older, it’s important your adult children understand your finances, so they’re not left guessing if something happens. DRS team member Adam recently had this conversation and shares important things to cover when planning your estate.

Sometimes, confidence in your future can bring peace of mind in the present. That’s been Seth’s philosophy when it comes to saving for retirement. After starting early with a Roth IRA and planning to retire in his mid-40s, Seth shares why he’s still working and why helping people at DRS is so meaningful to him. From a daily running habit, to making homemade pizza each week, he offers a thoughtful look at planning ahead.

In this special episode, the mic gets turned around. Jenny steps down from the host chair as co-worker Christine interviews her about how the conversations she’s had on the show have shaped her own habits and view of retirement. She shares what she hopes listeners take away from the show beyond dollars and cents. 

Your retirement health may depend on your social life. In this episode, we unpack the Kevin Bacon Rule of Retirement: why staying connected after you leave the workforce could be one of your most powerful retirement strategies. We chat with DRS team member Mike about his plans for staying connected in retirement.

Thousands of DRS customers log in every day to manage their retirement, so keeping those accounts secure matters. We’re joined by Michael from our Contact Center to walk through recent online security updates including removing email as an MFA option and adding the ability to use authenticator apps. He shares simple steps you can take to help protect your identity online.

Want to save more for retirement in 2026? In this episode, we break down the new Deferred Compensation Program (DCP) limits: $24,500 annually, or $32,500 if you’re age 50+ and even more if you’re within 3 years of retirement. Find out how pretax and Roth contributions work together - what counts toward the limit and what doesn’t - so you can make the most of your savings next year.

What if one conversation could change your financial future? We talk with Anthony, a Yakima School District leader whose passion for retirement education stems from his family history and years in labor advocacy. He shares how his path from delivery driver to union rep to HR leader shapes his mission to help school employees understand their benefits, start meaningful conversations about saving, and navigate the unique challenges of planning for retirement.

Every two years, contribution rates for Washington’s retirement plans change and that can raise questions. When a relative asked Amber why employer rates went down, she realized it’s just as important to understand decreases as increases. In this episode, we unpack how these rates are set, why they fluctuate, and how you can feel confident that Washington’s pensions remain a reliable, guaranteed source of income.

If you have a DCP or Plan 3 investment account, you're required by the IRS to withdraw a minimum distribution (RMD) from your pretax balance when you reach age 73. We take a look at how the amount you're required to withdraw is calculated. We also look at special cases like inherited accounts and exceptions for those still working.