DRS proposes short AI pilot to give LEOFF2 members personalized retirement scenarios

Department of Retirement Systems Chief Operating Officer Amy McMahon told the board the agency is proposing a two- to three-month pilot with vendor Sagitech to test an AI-based retirement-planning assistant called Retire AIQ. "Retire AIQ is an educational scenario based financial planning tool," McMahon said, adding the tool integrates with DRSs online benefit-estimate calculator and is strictly optional for members.

McMahon said the pilot would be limited to members of the plan used as the trial group and that the tool would be trained on DRS language and materials so it will refer members back to DRS for plan-specific or legal questions. She emphasized privacy protections: the tool will not pass any other personally identifiable information beyond the benefit-estimate inputs and DRS will store membersAI exchanges so staff can review and intervene if users report inaccurate or harmful responses.

When asked whether human vetting occurs for AI responses, McMahon said the initial estimate comes from DRSs own system and DRS will have the ability to review stored AI logs and follow up, and the vendor will provide weekly and monthly reports. She also said the pilot is no-cost to DRS and will include contract terms and testing plans; timing cited was roughly August through September with a planned off date at the end of September.

Board members praised the concept as potentially helpful for members who need more guidance and asked about whether the tool will capture enrollment timing for Medicare and health benefits; McMahon said timing and follow-up questions are appropriate features to consider for the tools refinement.

DRS said results from the pilot will be analyzed and shared with the board; staff will monitor member feedback and can discontinue the pilot if members report poor outcomes.