The Parochial Employees' Retirement System is a public defined benefit pension plan which provides retirement allowances and other benefits, operating pursuant to LSA R.S. 11:1901 through 2015.

Act 205 of 1952 established this retirement system, effective January 1, 1953. A comprehensive revision of the retirement system's law became effective January 1, 1980 and provides for two separate retirement plans. PLAN A was designed for employers out of Social Security. PLAN B was designed for those employers that remained in Social Security.

The system provides benefits to all of the civil parishes in Louisiana except Orleans, East Baton Rouge and Lafourche. Agencies who are wholly or partially funded with parish funds may enter into an agreement for participation.