457 Defined Contribution Program

The County offers all full-time and part-time employees the ability to enroll in a Defined Contribution Program through Great West Retirement Services.

The 457 Defined Contribution Program is a voluntary retirement savings program that allows you to contribute a portion of your bi-weekly salary on a pre-tax basis. Because the County deducts your contribution from your paycheck before taxes, you reduce your taxable income and pay less in taxes right now. Plus, all of your savings grows tax-free until you remove money from your account at retirement or termination.

The Program offers a wide variety of professionally managed investment options ranging from conservative to aggressive in risk/return potential. You can choose from among a diverse array of 15 investment options:

3 Profile Portfolios(pre-mixed funds professionally selected to match a particular risk profile)
1 Fixed option(a guaranteed rate of return)
11 Mutual Fund options(a diverse selection of funds representing varying degrees of risk)
A Self-Directed Brokerage Option

If this program interests you, County of Orange employees have access to three local Great West Retirement Services representatives dedicated solely to the County of Orange Defined Contribution Program and are available to conduct one-on-one and group meetings at the Hall of Administration, Room 104 or other County locations. These meetings are designed to educate you about the Program and other financial topics or to simply answer questions. Please call 1-866-457-2254 and press "2" to make an appointment.

You may also go to the County of Orange Defined Contribution web site at: www.countyoforangedcplan.com for updated information about the Program.