Discovering Your Future: The Los Angeles County Horizons Retirement Plan

Audie Ledner PhD 30 Jul 2025

Thinking about your working years in Los Angeles County, it's natural to dream of a comfortable future. For many, that dream includes a secure retirement, a time to relax and enjoy the fruits of your efforts. When you consider your financial well-being after work, the Los Angeles County Horizons Retirement plan truly stands out as a key part of that picture. It's a system built to help you feel more at ease about what comes next.

This plan, you see, is more than just a savings account; it's a thoughtful approach to helping county employees build financial strength for later in life. It works alongside other benefits to give you a broad safety net. The County of Los Angeles has put together a variety of benefit programs, and the Horizons plan is a very important piece of that larger puzzle.

Administered by LACERA, the Los Angeles County Employees Retirement Association, this system is actually the largest county retirement system in the entire United States. They manage the retirement fund for the county and also for some outside districts. So, when you think about your future, it's pretty clear this system has a lot of experience and a lot of members it helps every single day, which is good to know.

Understanding Your County Retirement Benefits
The Horizons Plan: A Smart Way to Save
Managing Your Retirement Accounts
Beyond Horizons: Other County Retirement Plans
- Defined Benefit Plans: Your Guaranteed Pension
- The Pension Savings Plan (PSP)
Planning Your Retirement Date
Frequently Asked Questions about Los Angeles County Horizons Retirement
Taking the Next Step for Your Future

Understanding Your County Retirement Benefits

The County of Los Angeles offers a broad array of benefit programs, all aimed at helping its dedicated workers. When it comes to retirement, there are a few important pieces that fit together. LACERA, which is the Los Angeles County Employees Retirement Association, serves as an independent government body. Their main job is to look after and manage the money set aside for retirement for county employees and those working in certain outside districts. It's really quite a large operation, as they are the biggest county retirement system in the entire country, you know.

They are responsible for ensuring that the retirement fund is well-managed, so that when the time comes, you can actually enjoy the financial security you have earned. This includes a mix of different types of plans designed to give you options and support your long-term financial goals. For example, they handle the defined benefit plans, which offer a guaranteed pension. But they also oversee defined contribution plans, which give you more control over your savings and investments. So, there are many ways they help, as a matter of fact.

The information and various links provided by the county are there to answer many common questions about your benefits. It's a good idea to look through these resources to get a clear picture of everything available to you. Knowing how these pieces fit together can truly make a difference in how you plan for your future. So, understanding these offerings is a pretty important first step, in a way.

The Horizons Plan: A Smart Way to Save

The Los Angeles County Horizons plan is a very powerful tool that could help you reach your savings goals for retirement. It's designed to work as a supplement to any other county retirement or pension benefits you might have. This means it adds another layer of financial strength to your future. It's a way to put aside extra money, giving you more peace of mind later on, you see.

One of the best things about the Horizons plan is how it can help you save money. You will defer taxes right away, which is a nice perk. Plus, you will save money consistently and automatically, which makes it easier to stick to your goals. You also get to pick from a wide variety of investment options, giving you control over how your money grows. It's also a chance to learn more about investing for a secure future, which is something many people appreciate.

This plan, whether it's the 457(b) Horizons or the 401(k) savings plan, is all about helping you take control. It gives you a clear path to building up your retirement nest egg. The county, in its effort to support you, has made it quite straightforward to get started and keep going. So, it's a very practical way to build up your financial well-being, in some respects.

Who Can Join Horizons?

A common question is who can actually sign up for the Horizons plan. Generally, eligibility to enroll in the Horizons plan is open to county employees. This means if you work for the County of Los Angeles, you likely have the chance to participate. It's a benefit offered to help a broad range of workers prepare for their non-working years. You can find more specific details about eligibility, of course, through the county's benefits resources.

The aim is to make these defined contribution plans available to many people, so they can start saving early and benefit from the plan's features. Knowing if you qualify is usually one of the first things people want to figure out. So, if you are a county employee, it's a good idea to check into your eligibility right away. It could be a very beneficial step for your financial future.

Investment Options for Your Future

When you put money into the Horizons plan, you have a variety of investment options to choose from. This means you can pick how your money is invested, based on your own comfort level with risk and your financial goals. The county provides lists of all the available investment option returns, showing how they have performed over different periods. You can see returns for year-to-date, 1 year, 3 years, 5 years, 10 years, or since the option first started. This information is there to help you make informed choices, you know.

For those who are already retired or perhaps looking for a more cautious way to invest, there's even a specific choice called the Horizons Retirement Income Fund. This fund is set up for people who might want current income but are also fine with taking a bit of risk. It's designed to be a more conservative strategy, which is pretty helpful for those who want to protect their savings while still seeing some growth. So, there are options for nearly everyone, basically.

Having these choices allows you to tailor your savings approach. You can pick options that align with your personal situation, whether you are just starting out your career or getting closer to retirement. It's all about giving you the flexibility to manage your money in a way that feels right for you. This control is a very important part of what makes the Horizons plan so valuable, in a way.

The County Match: A Big Help

One of the most appealing features of the Los Angeles County Horizons plan is the county's contribution match. To really help you save for retirement, the county will match your contributions dollar for dollar. This match goes up to 4% of your regular earnings, as that is defined by the plan. This means for every dollar you put in, up to that 4% limit, the county adds another dollar. It's like getting free money for your retirement, which is a really great deal.

This match can significantly boost your savings over time. It's a strong incentive to contribute to the plan, as it effectively doubles a portion of your contributions right from the start. Knowing about this match can help you figure out the exact deferral percentage you need to ensure you are getting the entire county match. It's a pretty smart move to make sure you are taking full advantage of this benefit, you know.

Making sure you contribute enough to get the full match is a very practical step towards building a stronger financial future. It's a clear example of how the county supports its employees in their efforts to save for what comes next. So, it's definitely something to keep in mind when you are planning your contributions, you see.

Managing Your Retirement Accounts

Once you are enrolled in the Los Angeles County Horizons plan, managing your accounts is pretty straightforward. The county provides several ways to access information and handle your savings. It's all about making it easy for you to stay on top of your financial planning. This includes getting answers to your questions and making changes when needed, which is helpful.

For instance, if you have questions about your 457(b) Horizons or 401(k) savings plans, or your accounts in general, you can simply call the County of Los Angeles Service Center. They are there to provide you with answers and support. It's good to know there's a direct line to a plan representative who can help. Sometimes, it can be a bit confusing to know where to go when you need help, but they make it clear.

LACERA’s member service center also works to give each member their full attention and focus. They are closed on county holidays, so it's good to keep that in mind. But they aim to provide dedicated support for your retirement needs. So, help is generally available when you need it, you know.

Getting Answers and Support

If you want to speak directly with someone about your plan, calling the County of Los Angeles Service Center is the way to go. They can help with questions about your 457(b) Horizons and 401(k) savings plans, and other account details. They are there to make sure you have the information you need to make good decisions about your retirement savings. It's a pretty helpful resource, actually.

The service center aims to be a clear point of contact for all your inquiries. They understand that retirement planning can bring up many questions, and they are prepared to assist you. This direct support is part of the county's commitment to helping you feel secure about your financial future. So, don't hesitate to reach out if you have any concerns, you see.

Online Access and Tools

For convenience, you can also manage many aspects of your benefits online. You can log in to mylacountybenefits.com to handle things like filing your spending account claims. Just select "spending accounts" in the "my tools" menu once you are logged in. This online portal makes it easier to keep track of your benefits from anywhere, which is very convenient.

If you happen to forget your username or password, there's even a "how to log in" video to guide you through the process. These online tools are designed to give you quick access to your information and to help you manage your accounts efficiently. It's all about making your experience as smooth as possible. So, using the online system can save you a lot of time, more or less.

You can also use online calculators to figure out the exact deferral percentage you need. This helps ensure you are receiving the entire county match or contributing the maximum annual amount. These tools give you the power to adjust your contributions as your financial situation changes. It's a pretty smart way to stay on top of your savings, you know.

Combining Your Retirement Assets

A nice feature of the 457(b) Horizons and 401(k) savings plans is the ability to consolidate your accounts. If you have both types of accounts, you can combine them into one plan. This can make managing your retirement savings much simpler, as everything is in one place. It's a very practical option for those who want to streamline their financial paperwork, you see.

What's more, you can also roll over other retirement assets into these plans. This includes things like IRAs or other eligible retirement plans you might have from previous jobs. This flexibility allows you to bring all your retirement savings together under the umbrella of the Los Angeles County system. It's a way to keep your financial picture clear and organized, which is good for long-term planning. So, it's a very useful feature for many people, actually.

Beyond Horizons: Other County Retirement Plans

While the Horizons plan is a key part of saving for retirement, it's important to remember it works alongside other benefits offered by the County of Los Angeles. The county has a comprehensive approach to retirement security, including both defined contribution plans like Horizons and defined benefit plans. It's a pretty well-rounded system, you know.

LACERA, as the main administrator, manages these various plans to ensure employees have financial stability when they stop working. They look after the benefits for employees of Los Angeles County and also for outside districts, which include places like the Little Lake Cemetery District, the Local Agency Formation Commission, and the South Coast Air district. So, their reach is pretty broad, in a way.

Understanding how these different plans fit together gives you a complete picture of your retirement outlook. Each plan serves a specific purpose, and together they aim to provide a solid foundation for your future. It's all part of the county's effort to support its workforce. So, it's worth taking the time to learn about all the components, you see.

Defined Benefit Plans: Your Guaranteed Pension

For permanent county workers, the County of Los Angeles offers a guaranteed retirement pension. This is known as a defined benefit plan, and it's administered by LACERA. These plans were created with the goal of providing you with financial security once you are no longer working. It means you can count on a regular income stream in your retirement years, which is a big relief for many people.

The amount of your pension is calculated using factors like your years of service and your age at retirement. There's a way to find your years of service and then follow that row to the column that shows your age at retirement. The number displayed there indicates the percentage of your final compensation that will be used in calculating your pension. This gives you a pretty clear idea of what to expect, you know.

Having a defined benefit plan means you have a reliable source of income for life, once you have earned it. It provides a foundational level of financial stability, allowing you to relax and enjoy the retirement you have worked hard for. This guaranteed pension is a very valuable part of the overall retirement package offered by the county, in some respects.

The Pension Savings Plan (PSP)

Since January 1, 1992, the County of Los Angeles has also provided the Pension Savings Plan (PSP). This plan was established through an agreement with the Coalition of County Unions and SEIU Local 721. The PSP serves as a social security alternative for eligible employees. It's another piece of the retirement puzzle, offering a specific type of savings benefit. So, it's been around for quite some time, actually.

This plan aims to give employees another avenue for saving, especially for those for whom it serves as an alternative to social security benefits. It's part of the broader effort to ensure that county workers have multiple ways to build their financial security for retirement. Understanding how the PSP fits into your overall benefits package is pretty important for a complete picture of your future income, you see.

Planning Your Retirement Date

Deciding when to retire is a very big decision, and the County of Los Angeles system provides ways to help you plan for it. As mentioned, you can calculate your estimated retirement benefit by looking at your years of service and your age. This helps you get a sense of the financial picture for your desired retirement date. It's a very practical tool for planning ahead, you know.

If, after you have submitted your retirement benefit estimate and election form, you wish to change your retirement date or even cancel it, you must notify LACERA in writing. This notification needs to be received at least one business day before your originally planned retirement date. This rule is in place to ensure everything is processed correctly and smoothly. So, it's good to be aware of that requirement, in a way.

Careful planning around your retirement date is key to a smooth transition. Knowing the procedures for changing your plans gives you flexibility, should your circumstances change. It's all part of making the process as clear as possible for you. So, thinking about your timeline and understanding these steps is quite helpful, you see.

Frequently Asked Questions about Los Angeles County Horizons Retirement

Here are some common questions people ask about their retirement planning with Los Angeles County:

How do I learn more about investing for a secure future with Horizons?
The Horizons plan offers various investment options, and the county provides information on how these options have performed over time. You can also call the County of Los Angeles Service Center for answers to your questions about the 457(b) Horizons and 401(k) savings plans, and your accounts. They can help you understand more about investing for a secure future, which is pretty helpful.

Can I combine my different county retirement savings accounts?
Yes, if you have both 457(b) Horizons and 401(k) savings plan accounts, you can consolidate them into one plan. You can also roll other retirement assets, such as IRAs or other eligible retirement plans, into the 457(b) Horizons and, if applicable, the 401(k) savings plan. This makes managing your savings much simpler, you know.

What if I need help logging into my online benefits account?
If you do not remember your username or password for mylacountybenefits.com, you can watch the "how to log in" video available on the site. This video provides clear instructions to help you regain access to your account and manage your spending account claims or other benefits online. It's a pretty useful resource for getting back on track, you see.

Taking the Next Step for Your Future

The County of Los Angeles defined contribution plans, especially the Horizons plan, are truly about helping you feel more secure about what comes next. LACERA, as the largest county retirement system in the country, works hard to manage these funds and provide a wide variety of benefits. It's a system designed to give you options and support as you save for your future. So, there's a lot of support available, you know.

Learning about the county's defined contribution plans and how to take the first step toward a more rewarding future is quite important. Not only can you defer taxes immediately, but you also save money consistently and automatically. You get a variety of investment options to choose from, and you can learn more about investing for a secure financial picture. It's a very clear path to building your wealth, you see.

Remember, the county will match your contributions dollar for dollar up to 4% of your regular earnings, which is a fantastic benefit. This match helps your savings grow faster. Relax and enjoy the retirement you have earned, knowing you have benefits for life. For more general financial planning tips, you might visit a trusted resource like USA.gov's Retirement section. To learn more about county employee benefits on our site, and to find specific details about the Horizons plan options, please explore our pages. It's all about helping you achieve that comfortable future you're working towards, you know.

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