Eligible employees of Pierce County Government participate in one of several retirement systems administered by the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems (DRS). Employees and the County contribute jointly to the plans. The majority of eligible employees are participants in the Public Employees Retirement System, or PERS. There are 3 PERS plans: PERS1, PERS2 and PERS3.

Commissioned law enforcement officers participate in the Law Enforcement Officers' and Fire Fighters' System, or LEOFF.There are 2 LEOFF plans: LEOFF1 and LEOFF2.

There will be a new DRS system for public safety employees beginning July 2006 called the Public Safety Employees Retirement System, or PSERS.
Read More>

Top of page

DRS offers seminars and workshops which include information about benefits specific to the employee's plan, as well as general retirement information. Pierce County has scheduled several PERS3-specific seminars and workshops throughout the year on location in Tacoma for the convenience of employees.
Read More>

Top of page

IMPORTANT Information for Employees Considering Retiring

An information sheet has been prepared which answers frequently asked questions relating to regular employees considering retiring from Pierce County government. The sheet includes information about health and dental plan continuation, payoffs, procedures for notifying the County and DRS of your retirement to ensure smooth processing, and more. The document can be obtained on the County's intranet or by e-mailing Human Resources.

Top of page