DRS ​Retirement Beneficiary Form 

MissionSquare (formerly ICMA)

Nationwide

Empower (formerly MassMutual)

​Deferred compensation is a voluntary savings plan, which allows you to save pre-tax dollars and invest for your retirement. Federal income taxes are deferred until your assets are withdrawn, usually during retirement when you may be in a lower tax bracket. It is also referred to as "deferred comp".

​All regular Thurston County employees and elected officials are eligible to enroll in deferred compensation.

​Thurston County offers enrollment in the following three (3) Deferred Compensation 457 Plans: ICMA, MassMutual and Nationwide. You can enroll at any time throughout the year. If you have questions about deferred comp please contact Human Resources at 360-867-2488, or e-mail the benefits team at Benefits@co.thurston.wa.us. 

Enrollments and contribution changes are to be completed directly through TC Connect.  

Please follow the instructions found here: Deferred Comp Instructions 

​You may increase, decrease, or suspend your deferral by updating your plan contribution amount in TC Connect under your Benefits Tab. Changes can be made at any time throughout the year. Changes to deferred comp are reflected on the following paycheck. 

2026 Maximums have not been released by the IRS yet; this section will be updated when new maximums are announced.

Effective January 1, 2025:

• Normal Maximum Contribution Limit: $23,500 per year  

   

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• Additional Age 50 Catch-Up Contribution Limit (allows participants’ reaching age 50 or older during the year to contribute an additional amount annually):

  • $23,500 + $7,500 = $31,000 per year total contribution limit for age 50 catch-up.  

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• Normal 457 Catch-Up Contribution Limit (allows a participant to make up for eligible contributions not deferred in prior years. You may utilize this provision three years prior to your planned retirement date. A worksheet will determine the contribution amount):

  • $23,500 + $23,500 = $47,000 per year total contribution limit for normal catch-up. 

     

     

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​In most cases, you may not withdraw funds while you are an active Thurston County employee. In rare instances, funds may be withdrawn for an unforeseeable emergency subject to strict IRS guidelines.

If you suffer a severe financial hardship due to extraordinary and unforeseeable circumstances, you may qualify for an "unforeseeable emergency withdrawal" of your deferred compensation contributions. To receive an application and IRS guidelines, contact Human Resources at 360-867-2492. You may also e-mail the benefits team at Benefits@co.thurston.wa.us.

If you feel your situation meets the IRS guidelines, follow the instructions on the application and submit all requested documents to Human Resources. Make sure you include your supporting documents. The Thurston County Deferred Compensation Committee will review your request as soon as possible. Every effort will be made to expedite the review process. The information contained in the application shall be treated confidentially and shall be used only to consider your request.

​There is a wide array of investment options with each plan. You may contact the representatives or visit the web sites for more information concerning enrollment and investments.