Employee Benefits

Benefits Information

Medical Insurance

Basic & Supplemental Life Insurance

  • Basic Life Insurance equal to 1 x annual salary provided at no cost to employee
  • Employees may purchase voluntary supplemental life for self, spouse and children

Flexible Spending Accounts

  • Healthcare FSA
  • Dependent Care FSA
  • Parking FSA
  • Limited Purpose FSA

 

Leave

Vacation

  • Full-time, permanent employees earn vacation leave based on years of service. Begin at 16.25 days per year.
  • Vacation leave accrual is pro-rated for part time staff.

Sick

  • Full-time permanent employees earn 13 days of sick leave per year.
  • Sick leave accrual is pro-rated for part-time staff.

Holidays

  • The County provides 11 fixed holidays and 2 floating holidays

Volunteer

  • Employees are encouraged to use up to 16 hours each year to give back to the community, of which 8 of the hours can be used to support organizations outside of Arlington.

     

 

Saving for Retirement

Defined Benefit (Pension)

  • Arlington County Employees Retirement System:

    Provides a monthly retirement benefit based on your final average salary and years of service with the County. You contribute a portion of your salary on a pre-tax basis to this plan and are vested with five years of service.

General employees hired after January 1, 2025, who are not in a collective bargaining unit, contribute 2.5% of base pay.
All other general employees contribute 4%;  all uniformed public safety contribute 7.5% of base pay.

401(a) Defined Contribution & Optional 401(a) After Tax

Another retirement plan for the general employees.  The County allocates contributions to this plan on your behalf.  You are fully vested in these funds after five years of service. 

For general employees hired after January 1, 2025, who are not in a collective bargaining unit, the County contributes an amount equal to 7.5% of your base pay. 

All other general employees receive an amount equal to 4.2% of base pay.

The County also matches your 457 contribution (up to $20/pay) and puts the matching funds in this account.

 

 

457 Deferred Compensation & 457 Roth

  • Allows employees to voluntarily set aside their pay for retirement.  Contribution maximums vary each calendar year per IRS regulation. Contributions may be pre-tax funds (deferred compensation) or post-tax funds (Roth) or a combination of the two.  (Employees over age 50 or within 3 years of retirement may contribute more.)

     

     

DROP (Deferred Retirement Option Plan)

Provides eligible employees with the option to continue working, to enjoy active employee benefits, and to collect your monthly retirement into a fourth retirement account.  (You must be eligible for normal or unreduced retirement to participate, and you must retire after 4 years in the program).

 

 

Access to Voya Financial Advisors

  • Registered representatives on site to assist you with your retirement and financial planning needs.  Services are free for employees and retirees.

Learning Opportunities

County Courses

  • Provides opportunity to learn a variety of skills (during work hours) and free of charge. Courses are offered both online and in-person.

HealthSmart Classes

  • Offers classes to encourage healthy lifestyles and to address various health and wellness issues.

Tuition Reimbursement

  • Provides reimbursement up to a set amount ($2,500) for tuition expenses of an employee attending an accredited university for classes that are related to your current job or help you to attain skills to qualify for another County job.

Commuting Benefits

Metro/Mass Transit

  • Provides a 80% pre-tax subsidy up to $180 per month for an employee’s mass transit commuting expenses.

Walk or Bike to Work

  • Pays $35/month to employees who use a non-motorized form of transportation to get to work.

Parking

  • If you park in a county lot, parking expenses are withheld from your paycheck on a pre-tax basis.

Additional Benefits

Live Where You Work Grants

  • Offers eligible employees financial assistance to rent or purchase a home in Arlington.

HealthSmart Wellness Clinic

  • The onsite clinic at Bozman Government Center offers convenient access to health services at no cost to the employee.

Employee Assistance Program “EAP”

  • Arlington County offers employees a wide-range of mental health and work-life services through the Employee Assistance Program (EAP). The County is committed to ensuring employees have the support they need to navigate life challenges and achieve a well-balanced and healthy life.

CollegeAmerica 529 Savings Plan

  • Provides a mechanism for employees to save for college expenses, while having the earnings grow tax-deferred.

Adult Daycare

Parks and Recreational Programs

  • Grants access to summer camp and Barcroft & TJ gyms at the County-resident rate.

Adoption Assistance

  • Employees can receive up to $9,000 per child to assist with adoption fees.