Retiring before age 65 is a goal for many people, and this summer DRS accounting team member Tracie is doing just that. She shares the steps she took to prepare, including creating retirement estimates, paying off debt and using her DCP savings to purchase an annuity. Tracie also discusses health insurance options, coordinating retirement timing with her spouse and what she's looking forward to most as she settles into a new retirement routine.

Balancing student loans, saving for your child’s education and planning for retirement isn’t easy, but it’s a challenge many parents face. Jacob talks about navigating those competing priorities and the lessons he’s learned while trying to find the right financial balance. He also reflects on his new position as the Executive Director of The Law Enforcement Officers' and Fire Fighters' (LEOFF) Plan 2 Retirement Board.

Last year, Governor Ferguson appointed Kathryn Leathers as director of the Department of Retirement Systems. Now that she’s settled into the role, we talk with her about the experience so far. Kathryn spent more than 30 years as a lawyer and served for seven years as General Counsel to former Governor Jay Inslee. She shares what’s surprised her most about leading DRS and lessons she’s learned from managing her own finances.