Retirement Plans

DeKalb County is committed to helping employees prepare and achieve their retirement goals. We sponsor the following plans.

Pension Plan

Both you and DeKalb County contribute to the Pension Plan. This is a “defined benefit plan,” meaning you receive benefits based on your length of service and average salary. Your benefits are also based on your hire date.

Benefits for those hired before September 1, 2005
  • Normal Retirement Benefit (available at age 55 with 10 years of service OR any age if you have 30 years of service): 2.75% of final average earnings X years of service, up to a maximum of 30 years – 82.5% of your final average earnings
  • Early Retirement Benefit Reduction (available at age 50 with 10 years of service): Reduce the normal retirement benefit by 1.5% per year prior to age 55
  • Delayed retirement (available at age 65 with 3 years of service)

The current employee contribution rate is 10.48%, and the County contributes 21.06%. For more information, refer to the SPD.

Benefits for those hired September 1, 2005 and December 31, 2015
  • Normal Retirement Benefit (available at age 62 with 10 years of service OR 55 with 25 years of service OR any age if you have 30 years of service): 2.25% of final average earnings X years of service, up to a maximum of 30 years – 67.5% of your final average earnings
  • Early Retirement Benefit Reduction (available at age 50 with 10 years of service): Reduce the normal retirement benefit by 5% per year prior to age 62

The current employee contribution rate is 8.57%, and the County contributes 21.06%. For more information, refer to the SPD.

Benefits for those hired on or after January 1, 2016
  • Normal Retirement Benefit (available at age 67 with 7 years of service OR 55 with 25 years of service OR any age if you have 30 years of service): 1% of final average earnings X years of service, up to a maximum of 30 years – 30% of your final average earnings
  • Early Retirement Benefit Reduction (available at age 50 with 10 years of service): Reduce the normal retirement benefit by 3.25% per year prior to age 67

The current employee contribution rate is 6.42, and the County contributes 21.06%. For more information, refer to the SPD.

457b Plan

Any active employee may participate

This plan provides you with a way to make additional savings contributions toward retirement. It is a “defined contribution plan,” which means that your benefit is determined by how much money you contribute to the Plan. Features of the plan include:

  • All contributions are deposited each pay period and are immediately vested
  • Contributions can be made on a pre-tax or Roth basis
  • Contributions are invested into mutual funds as directed by the participant
  • Distributions can be made after termination or retirement
  • Rollovers to other retirement plans or IRAs are optional

How to Enroll

  1. Visit the Nationwide Retirement website.
  2. Select the link for Login Help & Sign Up.
  3. Complete the process for enrolling in the plan.

For Additional Support

Contact Nationwide at 877-677-3678.

401a Plan

Only available to employees hired or rehired after 2015

DeKalb County contributes to this account to help you grow your retirement savings. General features include:

  • All contributions are paid by the county and deposited each pay period
  • Contributions are 3% of pay
  • Vesting is 3 years
  • Contributions are invested into mutual funds as directed by the participant
  • If vested, distributions can be made after termination or retirement
  • Rollovers to other retirement plans or IRAs are optional

No action is needed to enroll.  To see your contributions and learn more, visit the Nationwide Retirement website.

For Additional Support

Contact Nationwide at 877-677-3678.