Financial Advisors Who
Understand
Your Public Employee Retirement System
You've spent your career protecting others. Let us help you protect your retirement.
Financial Advisors Who
Understand
Your Public Employee Retirement System
You've spent your career protecting others. Let us help you protect your retirement.
You’ve been putting money in your PERSI Choice 401(k) or 457 for years.
But if someone asked you exactly what it’s invested in, could you answer?
If you sat down to map out what accounts you’ll draw income from if you retire early, would you feel confident in your decisions?
Most of the police officers and firefighters we work with couldn’t confidently say yes before they started working with us.
Now they can.
You’ve been putting money in your PERSI Choice 401(k) or 457 for years.
But if someone asked you exactly what it’s invested in, could you answer?
If you sat down to map out what accounts you’ll draw income from if you retire early, would you feel confident in your decisions?
Most of the police officers and firefighters we work with couldn’t confidently say yes before they started working with us.
Now they can.
Why First Responders Choose Five Pine Wealth Management
We help law enforcement officers, firefighters, and public safety employees across Idaho and Washington build retirement plans around your specific state benefits.
We Work With Idaho and Washington State Retirement Systems Every Day
We know:
| Idaho | Washington |
|---|---|
| PERSI Base Plan · PERSI Choice 401(k) · 457 Deferred Compensation | LEOFF Plan · Pers Plan · 457 Deferred Compensation Program |
And we help you coordinate all of these accounts and more into one retirement strategy that helps you retire when you want with confidence.
Currently serving first responders in Coeur d’Alene, Boise, Spokane, and throughout both Idaho and Washington state.
Why First Responders Choose Five Pine Wealth Management
We help law enforcement officers, firefighters, and public safety employees across Idaho and Washington build retirement plans around your specific state benefits.
We Work With Idaho and Washington State Retirement Systems Every Day
We know:
| Idaho | Washington |
|---|---|
| PERSI Base Plan · PERSI Choice 401(k) · 457 Deferred Compensation | LEOFF Plan · Pers Plan · 457 Deferred Compensation Program |
And we help you coordinate all of these accounts and more into one retirement strategy that helps you retire when you want with confidence.
Currently serving first responders in Coeur d’Alene, Boise, Spokane, and throughout both Idaho and Washington state.
Why First Responders Choose Five Pine Wealth Management
We help law enforcement officers, firefighters, and public safety employees across Idaho and Washington build retirement plans around your specific state benefits.
We Work With Idaho and Washington State Retirement Systems Every Day
We know:
PERSI Base Plan · PERSI Choice 401(k) · 457 Deferred Compensation
LEOFF Plan · Pers Plan · 457 Deferred Compensation Program
And we help you coordinate all of these accounts and more into one retirement strategy that helps you retire when you want with confidence.
Currently serving first responders in Coeur d’Alene, Boise, Spokane, and throughout both Idaho and Washington state.
How We Help
First Responders
1. Determine Your Retirement Timeline
Many first responders retire around 55, sometimes earlier.
But just because you’re
eligible doesn’t mean you’re
ready.
| Idaho (PERSI) | Washington |
|---|---|
| Police & Firefighters: Rule of 80 (age + years of service ≥ 80, min age 50) | LEOFF members have separate eligibility requirements |
| General Members: Rule of 90 (min age 55) | PERS members follow their own plan rules |
We help you look at the full picture, including your pension income, your deferred comp balance, healthcare costs, and what you actually want retirement to look like.
So you can make that decision with confidence, not just a calculator.
1. Figuring Out Your Retirement Timeline
Many first responders retire around 55, sometimes earlier.
But just because you’re
eligible doesn’t mean you’re
ready.
Police & Firefighters: Rule of 80 (age + years of service ≥ 80, min age 50)
General Members: Rule of 90 (min age 55)
LEOFF members have separate eligibility requirements
PERS members follow their own plan rules
We help you look at the full picture, including your pension income, your deferred comp balance, healthcare costs, and what you actually want retirement to look like.
So you can make that decision with confidence, not just a calculator.
2. Understand Your PERSI Retirement Formula
Your pension benefit is calculated using a specific formula:
Average Monthly Salary
x
Multiplier
x
Months of Service
=
Your Annual Benefit
7,000 x 2.3% x 360 = $57,960
We walk you through exactly what your benefit will look like and help you choose the right distribution option for your family situation.
That might mean maximizing your monthly payment, or it might mean protecting your spouse with survivor benefits. Every family’s situation is different.
3. Make Smart Moves With Your Deferred Compensation
Here’s something most first responders don’t realize about their 457 plans:
Unlike a 401(k) or IRA, you can withdraw from a 457 plan penalty-free at any age once you separate from service.
That’s a big deal if you’re planning to retire at 55.
It means you have options. For instance, you can strategically keep a portion in the 457 to cover living expenses for those first few years of retirement while rolling the rest into a Traditional or Roth IRA for long-term growth.
How you pull money out — and from which accounts, in what order — can have a real impact on your tax bill and how long your savings last.
4. Plan for Healthcare Before Medicare
Retiring before 65 means you need to cover healthcare costs until Medicare kicks in.
That gap can be expensive if you’re not prepared.
We help you evaluate your options:
- COBRA coverage
- Marketplace plans
- Health savings strategies
So healthcare costs don’t push back your retirement date or eat into the savings you’ve worked hard to build.
Do I Need a Financial Advisor Who Specializes in PERSI?
If your retirement involves a state pension plus deferred compensation, it helps to work with an advisor who understands the systems.
The difference between a good withdrawal strategy and a mediocre one can mean thousands in unnecessary taxes, penalties, or lost savings.
What a PERSI-savvy advisor helps you avoid:
| Rolling your entire 457 into an IRA | Locking yourself out of penalty-free withdrawals before 59½ |
|---|---|
| Choosing the wrong pension distribution option | Leaving your spouse unprotected or giving up income you need |
| Ignoring the healthcare gap before Medicare | Draining savings or delaying retirement to cover premiums |
| Not coordinating pension + deferred comp + Social Security | Paying more in taxes than you need to |
As fee-only fiduciaries, we don’t earn commissions or sell products.
We're legally required to act in your best interest, every time.
Serving First Responders Across Idaho and Washington
We work with police officers, firefighters, corrections officers, and other public safety employees throughout Idaho and Washington.
From Boise and Coeur d'Alene to Spokane and beyond, our expertise covers both Idaho's PERSI system and Washington's LEOFF and deferred compensation plans, so you get advice specific to your state's benefits.
In-person meetings and secure virtual consultations available.
Frequently Asked Questions
-
What's the difference between the PERSI Base Plan and the PERSI Choice 401(k)?
The PERSI Base Plan is Idaho's defined benefit pension. You're automatically enrolled, and once you’re vested, it provides a guaranteed monthly payment for life.
The PERSI Choice 401(k) is a voluntary supplemental savings plan. You choose how much to contribute and how to invest it.
Most first responders benefit from maximizing both: the mandatory Base Plan provides stable income, and the Choice 401(k) provides additional savings you can control to meet your living expenses.
-
Can I access my 457 plan before age 59½ without penalties?
Yes, and this is one of the biggest advantages of 457 plans for first responders who retire early.
Unlike a traditional 401(k) or IRA, you can withdraw from a 457 plan penalty-free at any age once you separate from service.
This makes the 457 ideal for bridging income between retirement at 55 and when you can access other accounts starting at age 59½.
-
How does the Rule of 80 work for Idaho police officers and firefighters?
Your age plus years of service must equal 80 or more, with a minimum age of 50 to retire with full benefits.
Example: Age 52 with 28 years of service = 80 → eligible to retire with full benefits.
General PERSI members follow the Rule of 90 with a minimum age of 55.
-
I don’t really understand what my 457 is invested in. Is that normal?
Completely normal. Many of the officers and firefighters we talk to are in the same boat.
Your 457 is probably invested in a target-date fund based on when you plan to retire.
This is a fine starting point, but as you get closer to retirement, it’s worth reviewing whether that mix still fits your goals and risk tolerance. That’s something we can walk through together.
Do I Need a Financial Advisor Who Specializes in PERSI?
If your retirement involves a state pension plus deferred compensation, it helps to work with an advisor who understands the systems.
The difference between a good withdrawal strategy and a mediocre one can mean thousands in unnecessary taxes, penalties, or lost savings.
What a PERSI-savvy advisor helps you avoid:
- Rolling your entire 457 into an IRA
- Locking yourself out of penalty-free withdrawals before 59½
- Choosing the wrong pension distribution option
- Leaving your spouse unprotected or giving up income you need
- Ignoring the healthcare gap before Medicare
- Draining savings or delaying retirement to cover premiums
- Not coordinating pension + deferred comp + Social Security
- Paying more in taxes than you need to
As fee-only fiduciaries, we don’t earn commissions or sell products.
We're legally required to act in your best interest, every time.
Do I Need a Financial Advisor Who Specializes in PERSI?
If your retirement involves a state pension plus deferred compensation, it helps to work with an advisor who understands the systems.
The difference between a good withdrawal strategy and a mediocre one can mean thousands in unnecessary taxes, penalties, or lost savings.
What a PERSI-savvy advisor helps you avoid:
| Rolling your entire 457 into an IRA | Locking yourself out of penalty-free withdrawals before 59½ |
|---|---|
| Choosing the wrong pension distribution option | Leaving your spouse unprotected or giving up income you need |
| Ignoring the healthcare gap before Medicare | Draining savings or delaying retirement to cover premiums |
| Not coordinating pension + deferred comp + Social Security | Paying more in taxes than you need to |
As fee-only fiduciaries, we don’t earn commissions or sell products.
We're legally required to act in your best interest, every time.
Serving First Responders Across Idaho and Washington
We work with police officers, firefighters, corrections officers, and other public safety employees throughout Idaho and Washington.
From Boise and Coeur d'Alene to Spokane and beyond, our expertise covers both Idaho's PERSI system and Washington's LEOFF and deferred compensation plans, so you get advice specific
to your state's benefits.
In-person meetings and secure virtual consultations available.
Serving First Responders Across Idaho and Washington
We work with police officers, firefighters, corrections officers, and other public safety employees throughout Idaho and Washington.
From Boise and Coeur d'Alene to Spokane and beyond, our expertise covers both Idaho's PERSI system and Washington's LEOFF and deferred compensation plans, so you get advice specific
to your state's benefits.
In-person meetings and secure virtual consultations available.
Frequently Asked Questions
-
What's the difference between the PERSI Base Plan and the PERSI Choice 401(k)?
The PERSI Base Plan is Idaho's defined benefit pension. You're automatically enrolled, and once you’re vested, it provides a guaranteed monthly payment for life.
The PERSI Choice 401(k) is a voluntary supplemental savings plan. You choose how much to contribute and how to invest it.
Most first responders benefit from maximizing both: the mandatory Base Plan provides stable income, and the Choice 401(k) provides additional savings you can control to meet your living expenses.
-
Can I access my 457 plan before age 59½ without penalties?
Yes, and this is one of the biggest advantages of 457 plans for first responders who retire early.
Unlike a traditional 401(k) or IRA, you can withdraw from a 457 plan penalty-free at any age once you separate from service.
This makes the 457 ideal for bridging income between retirement at 55 and when you can access other accounts starting at age 59½.
-
How does the Rule of 80 work for Idaho police officers and firefighters?
Your age plus years of service must equal 80 or more, with a minimum age of 50 to retire with full benefits.
Example: Age 52 with 28 years of service = 80 → eligible to retire with full benefits.
General PERSI members follow the Rule of 90 with a minimum age of 55.
-
I don’t really understand what my 457 is invested in. Is that normal?
Completely normal. Many of the officers and firefighters we talk to are in the same boat.
Your 457 is probably invested in a target-date fund based on when you plan to retire.
This is a fine starting point, but as you get closer to retirement, it’s worth reviewing whether that mix still fits your goals and risk tolerance. That’s something we can walk through together.
