Department of Retirement (DRS)
Depending on what part of the government you work for, eligible Pierce County employees participate in one of among several retirement plans administered by the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems (DRS). Employees and the County both contribute. Most new general government employees are covered by the Public Employee's Retirement System (PERS), while law enforcement officers in the Sheriff's Department are covered by the Law Enforcement Officers and Firefighters Retirement System (LEOFF) and, certain public safety employees in the Corrections Division of the Sheriff’s Department, Juvenile Court Services and Probation divisions of the Courts are part of the Public Safety Employees Retirement System (PSERS). Meanwhile, members of the judiciary are covered by a separate plan administered by the Department of Retirement Systems.