TARRANT COUNTY, TX
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Public Pension
Tarrant County is part of the Texas County and District Retirement System (TCDRS). TCDRS membership includes over 890 counties and districts with more than 394,000 members and retirees. While the County is a part of TCDRS, the Tarrant County Commissioners Court defines the benefit plan for county employees and retirees.
The basic plan options include:
Employee Deposit Rate |
7% |
Employer Matching |
200% |
A county employee is eligible for retirement if any of the following criteria are met:
Vested at Age 60 |
8 years of full-time service |
Rule of 75 |
75 points = age + years of service |
At Any Age |
30 years of service |
See the actuarial information for the County below:
Plan Assets and Liabilities (In Thousands) |
|
Actuarial Accrued Liability (AAL) |
$2,477,909 |
Actuarial Value of Assets (AVA) |
$2,361,970 |
Unfunded Actuarial Accrued Liability (UAAL) |
$115,939 |
Funded Ratio (AVA/AAL) |
95.32% |
Remaining Amortization Period |
4 years |
Assumed Rate of Return |
7.50% |
Valuation Payroll |
$373,694 |
UAAL as a Percent of Covered Payroll |
31.03% |
Actuarial Methodology |
|
Actuarial Cost |
Entry age |
Amortization Method |
Level percentage of payroll, closed |
Remaining Amortization Period |
4 years* |
Asset Valuation Method |
5 year smoothed fair value |
Inflation |
2.5% |
Salary Increase Average** |
4.7% over career |
Investment Rate of Return*** |
7.5% |
Average Age at Service Retirement for Recent Retirees**** |
61 |
*Based on contribution rate calculated in Dec. 31, 2024 valuation. **Varies by age and service. Includes inflation. *** Net of investment expenses, including inflation. ****Retirement age members who are eligible for service retirement are assumed to commence receiving benefit payments based on age.
Investment Rates of Return for Previous Years |
|
2024 |
7.5% |
2023 |
7.5% |
2022 |
7.5% |
2021 |
7.6% |
2020 |
8.1% |
2019 |
8.1% |
2018 |
8.1% |
2017 |
8.1% |
2016 |
8.1% |
2015 |
8.1% |
Chart 1: Achieving Long-Term Investment Goals
To help mitigate risk, Tarrant County Commissioners Court works closely with TCDRS to ensure the County’s retirement plan entails a diversified portfolio. As of March 2025, the County’s asset allocation included the following:
Actuarially Determined Contribution Rate versus the Actual Total Contribution Rate for Tarrant County
For 2026, Tarrant County Commissioners Court elected a Total Contribution Rate of 12.02 percent of payroll. This is our required contribution rate and includes a 1 percent retiree cost of living adjustment (COLA) amortized over the next 15 years beginning FY 2026.
Below, Chart 2 compares the Actuarially Determined Contribution Rates versus Tarrant County's Actual Total Contribution Rates.
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Chart 3 shows the five year history of Tarrant County's Actuarial Value of Assets versus Actuarial Accrued Liabilities. This data can be found in the Tarrant County Comprehensive Annual Financial Report. Chart 3 does not include the Community Supervision and Corrections Department actuarial valuation results.