New Employees
Welcome to Pierce County and congratulations on your new position! Eligible employees receive a comprehensive benefits package that takes good care of you and promotes your continued health, financial security, and peace of mind.
You will learn more about your benefit options when you attend New Employee Orientation. At orientation, you’ll have an opportunity to ask questions and learn how to enroll in health insurance and retirement benefits.
Get a head start by exploring the Benefits website before you attend your New Hire Orientation.
Waiting period
Eligibility requirements and benefit coverage effective dates are defined by each employee's benefit group:
PEBB group
Non-represented employees &
Represented: 120J, 120W, 612S, U612 employees
As a new hire, all of your benefits will begin on the first day of the month following your hire date.
If your hire date is the first working day of the month, PEBB benefits begin on that day.
Teamsters group
Represented employees
Most employees covered by a Collective Bargaining Agreement are eligible for medical benefits in accordance with the WA Teamsters Trust "lag month" system.
To become eligible for WA Teamsters Welfare Trust medical coverage, you must first be an active employee for a minimum of 80 hours in one month. The following month (or "lag month"), the County and the employee will make their share of the premium payment, for coverage effective the 1st day of the following month.
Employees are eligible for dental, life and disability coverage beginning the 1st day of the month following 30 days of employment. When the first day of employment is the first working day of the month, employees are eligible for coverage beginning the 1st day of following month.
Enrollment Timeframe
PEBB group
Pierce County Benefits office must receive all enrollment forms and valid dependent verification documents no later than 31 days after you become eligible for PEBB benefits.
Failure to submit all required enrollment forms and valid dependent verification documents within the 31 day enrollment period will result in the Health Care Authority (HCA) defaulting you into UMP Classic medical plan and Uniform Dental Plan as subscriber only.
Teamsters group
Pierce County Benefits office must receive your Washington Teamsters Welfare Trust medical enrollment form and valid dependent verification documents no later than 31 days after your hire date.
The Workday enrollment portion must also be completed and submitted within your first 31 days of employment.
Plans available
Enrollment Forms
PEBB group
Medical & dental (required to complete)
Life insurance (required to complete)
Long term disability (required to complete)
Health savings account (for high deductible plans only)
Dependents you can enroll in PEBB Benefits:
- Spouse
- State-registered domestic partner
- Children (including children of your spouse, children whose support is your legal obligation in anticipation of adoption, children of your state-registered domestic partner, and children specified in a court order or divorce decree for whom you have a legal obligation to provide support or health care coverage.
Dependent Documentation Required
For more information on dependent eligibility: https://www.hca.wa.gov/employee-retiree-benefits/public-employees/how-determine-eligibility
Dependents you can enroll in WTWT Benefits:
- Spouse
- Domestic partner (additional documentation required)
- Children (including adopted children, step children, children placed with you for adoption, children for whom you are the court-appointed guardian).
Contact
Phone: (253) 798-7479
Phone: (253) 798-7462
8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
955 Tacoma Ave S # 303, Tacoma, WA 98402