Investment Programs

SERS Plan 3 allows you to direct your contributions to one of two investment programs: the Washington State Investment Board (WSIB) Investment Program or the Self-Directed Investment Program. Each program offers different investment fund options. Between the two programs, members have a wide array of investment choices across the asset class spectrum. Members may have funds invested in one or both programs, but they can only contribute to one program at a time. Members can transfer funds, within the program’s guidelines, between the investment programs.

WSIB Investment Program

The WSIB Investment Program enables you to invest in the Total Allocation Portfolio (TAP), a portfolio with a determined asset allocation managed and continuously re-balanced by the 14-member WSIB. The TAP is a fairly aggressive balanced fund that is intended for long-term investing. It includes some asset classes not available in the Self-Directed Investment Program. These asset classes increase the portfolio’s diversification but also require it to be a monthly valued portfolio. (TAP returns are reported net of investment management and adviser fees.) No additional administrative fee is charged for this investment program.

Self-Directed Investment Program

The Self-Directed Investment Program enables members to design their investment portfolio from a menu of funds, including three self-balancing portfolios composed of various mixes of funds. Funds within the Self-Directed Investment Program are valued daily. Daily valuation enables members to change their investments more frequently and receive statements and payments more quickly. Members who invest in this program pay investment management and adviser fees as well as an additional administrative fee.

Additional information on Plan 3 investments— including performance returns— is available for both WSIB and Self-Directed Investment Programs in the Investment Options section of this Web site.