A PMOS (p-channel metal oxide semiconductor) device having at low voltage threshold MOSFET (MOS field effect transistor) with an improved work function and favorable DIBL (drain-induced barrier lowering) and SCE (short channel effect) characteristics, and a method for making such a device. The PMOS device includes a gate structure that is disposed on a substrate and includes a silicided gate electrode. The silicide is preferably nickel-rich and includes a peak platinum concentration at or near the interface between the gate electrode and a dielectric layer that separates the gate electrode from the substrate. The platinum peak region is produced by a multi-step rapid thermal annealing or similar process. The PMOS device may also include two such MOSFETs, one of which is boron-doped and one of which is not.