Retirement

Texas County and District Retirement System

Travis County participates in the Texas County and District Retirement System (TCDRS). The money that funds your plan comes from employee deposits, employer contributions and earnings from investments. Your participation in TCDRS is mandatory for qualifying employees.

Changes to Benefits

The Travis County Commissioner’s Court chooses your TCDRS benefits. Every year they review your employer’s retirement plan and makes changes, if needed. They decide:

  • What percentage of your paycheck goes into your TCDRS account
  • How much Travis County will match when you retire
  • What you must do to be eligible for retirement

Your Deposits

Each paycheck, 7% of your total pay goes into your TCDRS account.


How Your Money Grows

Your account earns an annual interest credit of 7%. TCDRS credits this interest to your account each December 31, based on your account balance as of January 1st of the same year. Over time, the value of your account can increase a great deal because of compounding — that is, paying interest on interest. Every year you’ll get a statement from TCDRS that shows all your deposits for the year as well as how much interest you received. You can also view your current balance online at www.tcdrs.org.

When You Retire

When you retire, you may choose to receive a monthly benefit payment. All payment options pay you for your lifetime. Some of the payment options also provide a monthly benefit for your beneficiary after your death.

Your monthly benefit is based on the amount of money in your account and the matching credits your employer has agreed to provide. Your current deposits get matching credits in a ratio of 2.25:1, or $2.25 for every $1.00 you are depositing. (Travis County may change its matching credits so your current ratio may not apply to all of your past or future deposits.) Travis County also provides monetary credit for time worked before it joined TCDRS (prior service credit). Travis County joined TCDRS in January 1968.

457(b) Deferred Compensation Plan

Empower Retirement (formerly Great West) administers the Travis County 457(b) Deferred Compensation Plan. A governmental 457(b) Deferred Compensation Plan is a retirement savings plan that allows eligible employees to supplement any existing retirement and pension benefits by saving and investing in either before or after tax dollars through a voluntary salary contribution. Contribution and any earnings on contributions are tax-deferred until money is withdrawn. Distributions are subject to ordinary income tax. All full-time and regular part-time Travis County employees may contribute to the Plan. Temporary employees are not eligible to participate.

Investment Options

A wide array of core investment options is available through your Plan. Each option is explained in further detail in your Plan’s fund sheets. Once you have enrolled, investment option information is also available at www.empower-retirement.com/participant or call KeyTalk® toll free at (800) 701-8255. The website and KeyTalk® are available to you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

In addition to the core investment options, a Self-Directed Brokerage (SDB) account is available. The SDB account allows you to select from numerous investment options for additional fees. The SDB account is intended for knowledgeable investors who acknowledge and understand the risks associated with the investments contained in the SDB account.


Additional Retirement Information

Retirement Forms