On November 2, 2023, the Board of Fire and Police Pension Commissioners approved new maximums for the Medicare health subsidy, the health subsidy for Qualified Surviving Spouses/Domestic Partners, as well as the dental subsidy. These new maximum amounts will be effective January 1, 2024 through December 31, 2024.

Medicare Health Subsidy Benefit

The maximum Medicare Health Subsidy increased to $549.16, effective January 1, 2024. The maximum Medicare Health Subsidy is set at the highest monthly premium of an approved plan supplemental to Part A of Medicare available to retired members of the Los Angeles City Employees’ Retirement System (LACERS), pursuant to the City of Los Angeles Administrative Code Section 4.1154(c).

A Medicare Health Subsidy is provided to eligible retired members or Qualified Surviving Spouses/Domestic Partners who are enrolled in both Medicare Parts A and B. The monthly subsidy that you may receive is based on the number of whole years of service at the time of retirement (or DROP entry) as shown in the chart below.  

Member’s Whole Years of Service	Maximum Medicare Health Subsidy*
20 or more	The lesser of: $549.16 or 100% of the single-party premium of the participant’s health plan.
15 – 19	The lesser of: $494.24 or 90% of the single-party premium of the participant’s health plan.
10 – 14	The lesser of: $411.87 or 75% of the single-party premium of the participant’s health plan.
Less than 10	No subsidy; Tier 6 retirees see below.**
*For members who: (1) entered DROP or retired after July 14, 2011, and (2) did not opt-in during the designated period to make the additional 2% pension contributions, the Maximum Medicare Health Subsidy is equal to the July 1, 2011 amount of $480.41.
** Tier 6 members who retire on a service-connected disability pension with less than 10 years of service may qualify for a minimum health subsidy at age 55 if

Qualified Survivors Non-Medicare Health Subsidy Benefit

The non-Medicare health subsidy maximum for Qualified Surviving Spouses/Domestic Partners (Qualified Survivors) will increase from $939.09 to $1,051.78 per month, effective January 1, 2024.

If you currently receive a survivorship pension from LAFPP, you may also be eligible for a health subsidy if the following qualifications are met:  

• You must be enrolled in a Board-approved health plan (one offered by Los Angeles Firemen’s Relief Association (LAFRA), Los Angeles Police Relief Association (LAPRA), UFLAC or Fire & Police Pensions) or participate in the Health Insurance Premium Reimbursement Program.
• The sworn member had at least 10 years of service.
• The sworn member received, or was eligible to receive, a health subsidy at the time of death; otherwise, you will be eligible when the sworn member would have been 55 years old.
• The sworn member was a Tier 6 retiree with a service-connected disability.
• If you receive a survivorship benefit pursuant to a purchase made by the retired member under the Survivor Benefit Purchase Program for Retirees, you are not eligible for a health subsidy. 

Retired Member Dental Subsidy Benefit

The maximum retiree dental subsidy will decrease from $43.81 to $42.93 per month, effective January 1, 2024. Per City of Los Angeles Administrative Code Section 4.1164(b), the maximum dental subsidy for retirees shall be the lower of LACERS’ maximum dental subsidy or any amount allowed active members of any LAFPP Tier.

You are eligible for a dental subsidy if you are retired with at least 10 years of service, are at least 55 years old, and are enrolled in a Board-approved dental plan. If you retire with more than 25 years of service, your eligibility is capped at 100% of the maximum subsidy. If you retire with 10 to 24 years of service, your subsidy is calculated at 4% of the current maximum for each whole year of service.

Note: Qualified Survivors are not eligible to receive a dental subsidy from LAFPP but are allowed to enroll in a Board-approved dental plan.

Questions

If you would like more information about LAFPP’s Health and Dental Subsidy program eligibility requirements, please contact the Medical and Dental Benefits Section at (213) 279-3115. Information is also available in the Retired Members section of www.lafpp.com.