The Tacoma Employees' Retirement System (TERS) is a defined benefit plan covering employees of the City of Tacoma and other Member Public Agencies. It is funded by employee and employer contributions, as well as investment returns.
Now’s the Time to Start Planning for Retirement
Join City of Tacoma Retirement Resources (TERS/HR) for one or more Financial Wellness: Pre-Retirement Seminars in 2019. City of Tacoma employees, their family members and friends are invited to attend.
Attend a 2019 Pre-Retirement Seminar
All sessions will be held in the Tacoma Public Utilities Auditorium. View the flyer for more information on additional seminars.
Topic: City of Tacoma Resources. Talk with Tacoma’s resource specialists at this session.
Date and time: Thursday, January 17, 2019 from 6-7:30 PM
At this seminar, you will hear from:
Retirement Director Tim Allen will give an overview of the Tacoma Employees’ Retirement System (TERS) benefits and options. We will look at the online retirement benefits calculator tool, explore various options and show you how to better estimate your future benefit.
HR Specialist Diane Peterson will provide an overview of the 457 deferred compensation and HRA VEBA plans. Employees can save and invest in their futures with tax advantages when participating in deferred compensation. The HRA VEBA is a post-separation account-based health plan. The overview will cover general rules and benefit options for eligible employees. Diane will also discuss post-retirement healthcare options.
Topic: Social Security 101
Date and time: Thursday, January 24, 2019 from 4:30-6 PM
Kirk Larson is a Washington public affairs representative of the Social Security Administration. He will answer all of your Social Security questions. We recommend that you familiarize yourself with the “my Social Security” online services prior to this presentation. To do so, go to ssa.gov/myaccount to create an account and print your Social Security Statement before attending this seminar and bring it with you.
Topic: Medicare 101
Date and time: Thursday, January 31, 2019 from 6–7:30 PM
Shannon Fuhrman from Regence will help you gain the knowledge needed to make informed decisions and pick a plan that works best for you when the time comes.
Topic: 10 Key Retirement Questions
Date and time: Thursday, February 7, 2019 from 6-7:30 PM
Jim Reinke from ICMA-RC will be presenting on how transitioning into and through retirement can be rewarding and challenging. So having a plan is important. We will help you to better understand the potential costs and how you can take meaningful steps to be prepare
Topic: LEOFF II Resources Seminar (Police & Fire)
Date and time: Thursday, February 28, 2019 from 4–6 PM
Jim Mendoza from the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems will cover your LEOFF pension plan and benefit options.
HR Specialist Diane Peterson will provide an overview of the post-retirement medical and COBRA options and eligibility requirements. She will also cover the 457 deferred compensation plans*.
*Representatives from ICMA and Nationwide will be available with marketing materials and to answer more in-depth questions.
VEBA Consultant Brian Riehs from Gallagher will cover the general rules and benefit options of the post-separation account-based health plan for eligible employees.
Ashton Alvarez and Suzan Kolb from Benefits Solutions, Inc. will cover the Medical Expense Reimbursement Plan (MERP).
2018 Cost of Living Adjustment for TERS Retirees
Please see the Cost of Living Adjustment Letter for information regarding the 2018 Cost of Living Adjustment.