Category: Board News

On May 21, 2020, the Board of Fire and Police Pension Commissioners approved the Plan actuary’s recommendation to lower the investment return assumption from 7.25% to 7.00%. This action will help ensure the long-term viability of the Plan to properly fund the benefits for members. Additionally, this change more closely aligns with the Plan’s expected returns based on the current asset allocation and capital market outlook.

Segal, the Plan’s actuary, presented its findings from its review of the economic assumptions to the Board and recommended that the investment return assumption be reduced to 7.00%, primarily due to a continued decline in inflation over the past two decades. (The assumption was previously lowered in 2017 from 7.50% to 7.25%.)

The investment return assumption is the expected long-term rate of return on the Plan’s investments, after expenses. One component of this assumption is the inflation assumption, which was also lowered from 3.00% to 2.75% due to the low inflationary economic environment.

In addition to the economic assumptions, the Board considered the findings and recommendations detailed in Segal’s triennial Actuarial Experience Study covering July 1, 2016 through June 30, 2019. The study compares the Plan’s actual experience to the non-economic (or demographic) assumptions previously adopted by the Board. Based on the Plan’s experience, the Board adopted the actuary’s recommendations to adjust various assumptions such as retirement rates, termination rates, and disability incidence rates. There were no changes in the mortality assumptions since at the December 19, 2019 meeting, the Board adopted new public safety mortality assumptions recommended by Segal, which were used beginning with the June 30, 2019 pension and retiree health benefits valuations.

Adoption of the economic and non-economic assumption changes is estimated to have a 2.3% impact on the City’s contribution rate to the Plan. The new assumption changes adopted by the Board will be used beginning with the June 30, 2020 actuarial valuation, which will determine the City’s contribution rate for the 2021-2022 Fiscal Year.

It is important to note that the actuarial assumptions do not determine the “actual cost” of the Plan. The actual cost is determined by the benefits and administrative expenses paid, offset by contributions and investment income received. The use of realistic actuarial assumptions is critical in maintaining adequate plan funding, while fulfilling benefit commitments to LAFPP members. Accurate actuarial assumptions aid in achieving equity across generations of taxpayers. The goal is to fund employees’ benefits while they are rendering service and taxpayers are receiving services from those employees.

The current actuarial experience study as well as historical studies can be found on our website at https://www.lafpp.com/about/financial-reports.

The term of the Board’s Fire Department Retired Member, Commissioner Kenneth E. Buzzell, ends on June 30, 2020. An election was held on March 31, 2020 for this position. A candidate must have received the majority of all votes cast in order to have won the election. Commissioner Buzzell received 97.04% of the vote and will serve the term of office from July 1, 2020 until June 30, 2025.

Congratulations, Commissioner Buzzell!

The Board normally meets on the first and third Thursdays of the month at 8:30 a.m. at the Los Angeles Fire and Police Pensions building at 701 E. Third Street, Suite 200, Los Angeles, CA 90013. Most meetings, including special and committee meetings, are from three to four hours in duration.

For a current list of Commissioners, please view the Board Directory. If you have any questions concerning the election results, please contact the Administrative Services Section of the Department of Fire and Police Pensions at (213) 279-3080.

The Los Angeles Fire and Police Pensions (LAFPP or “Fund”) is seeking their next General Manager.

LAFPP was established by the City of Los Angeles in 1899 and operates under the provisions of the City Charter and Administrative Code. LAFPP is a single employer public employee retirement system whose main function is to provide retirement benefits to the safety members employed by the City.

The Fund serves over 26,000 active and retired police officers, firefighters, harbor and airport police, and their beneficiaries. With approximately $30 billion in assets under management, the pension fund is 96.8% funded.

The General Manager serves as the chief administrative officer of the Fund. Under the direction of the Board of Commissioners, the General Manager directs the daily internal operations and benefits administration of LAFPP. The General Manager will be responsible for leadership, administration, and management of LAFPP with Board delegation of authority. The General Manager will oversee an operating budget of approximately $1.7 billion and a total staff complement of 128.

To learn more about the Responsibilities and Preferred Qualifications please click on the link below or view the listing on the LA City Personnel Department Website:

LAFPP General Manager Position Specifications

TO APPLY: Please send your resume to Tamara at tamara.wesely@eflassociates.com

Earlier this year, LAFPP General Manager Ray Ciranna announced his intent to retire at the end of September 2022. To ensure a seamless transition of leadership for the Department, the Board appointed Joseph (“Joe”) Salazar as the Interim General Manager, effective September 25, 2022.

Joe has over 20 years of experience working in the City’s retirement systems, including almost 15 years with LAFPP. He has served as Assistant General Manager for the Pensions Division, overseeing all member service functions, from April 2011 until his new appointment. Chief Benefits Analyst Gregory Mack will serve as Acting Assistant General Manager – Pensions Division, during this period.

Joe shared, “I am grateful for the opportunity to serve the members and beneficiaries of the LAFPP plan. I look forward to continuing to work collaboratively with the Board, our staff, and all stakeholders, focusing on our core mission to advance the health and retirement security of our members.”

An executive recruitment search for a permanent General Manager began on June 16, 2022. The Board plans to have the recruitment process completed by the end of the calendar year and the permanent General Manager in place by early 2023. A separate search for the Chief Investment Officer will commence once the permanent General Manager is appointed. Kristy Nguyen, Investment Officer III, is serving as the Acting Chief Investment Officer until that time.

We will continue to keep all members informed of the Board’s actions and the status of the executive recruitment process.

LAFPP welcomes Rigo Arellano, the Fire Department Employee Member-elect, to the Board of Fire and Police Pension Commissioners! Mr. Arellano will be sworn-in during June 2022 to fulfill his fiduciary responsibilities as a Board member beginning July 1, 2022.

Commissioner Ruben Navarro’s term on the Board of Fire and Police Pension Commissioners (Board) as the Fire Department Employee Member will end on June 30, 2022. In accordance with Section 23.102.2(b) of the Los Angeles Administrative Code, the Board authorized the Office of the City Clerk to conduct an election on Tuesday, April 19, 2022. The candidate receiving a majority of all votes cast (at least 50% plus one vote) is then declared elected as the Fire Department Employee Member of the Board.

Mr. Arellano received 54.31% of the vote, a majority, and as such is elected to serve the term of the Fire Department Employee Member of the Board beginning July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2027. Congratulations Mr. Arellano!

For a current list of Commissioners, please view the Board Directory. If you have any questions concerning the election results, please contact the Administrative Services Section of the Department of Fire and Police Pensions at (213) 279-3080.

All active, sworn Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) members of the Fire and Police Pensions System are eligible to vote in the Election for the Fire Department Employee Member of the Board of Fire and Police Pension Commissioners to be held on Tuesday, April 19, 2022.

On March 31, 2022, eligible voters were mailed an official ballot, voting instructions, the candidates’ statements of qualifications, an identification envelope, and a paid-postage return envelope addressed to the Office of the City Clerk – Election Division. Voters may submit their ballot via U.S. Postal Service or, starting at 8:00 a.m. (PT) on Friday, April 8, 2022, may hand-deliver their ballot using the contactless mail slot located at the Office of the City Clerk – Election Division, Piper Technical Center, 555 Ramirez Street, Suite 300, Los Angeles, CA 90012. Ballots received any other way will NOT be accepted.

In order to be counted, ballots must be received by the Office of the City Clerk – Election Division by 5:00 p.m. (PT) on Tuesday, April 19, 2022. The candidate who receives a majority (at least 50% plus one) of all votes cast shall be elected to the position of employee member. The candidate elected will serve the term that begins July 1, 2022 and ends June 30, 2027.

Voters who damage, spoil, lose, or do not receive their ballots may obtain a replacement upon filing an Affidavit of Loss/Non-Receipt (Affidavit) form. Voters may request an Affidavit form by calling (213) 978-0444 or via email at Clerk.ElectionAdmin@lacity.org.

Sworn Employee members of LAFD who become eligible within 30 days prior to the Election and wish to vote should obtain a Certificate of Eligibility (Certificate) from the Personnel Department. Newly eligible members may request an appointment with the Personnel Department to obtain the Certificate by emailing Per.PersonnelServices@lacity.org with the subject line “Request for COE 2022”. The Certificate for the newly eligible member will be provided by the Personnel Department to the Office of the City Clerk – Election Division via secure email. After securing a Certificate, beginning at 8:00 a.m. (PT) on Friday, April 8, 2022, the newly eligible voter may contact the Office of the City Clerk – Election Division at (213) 978-0444 or by email at Clerk.ElectionAdmin@lacity.org to schedule an appointment to present themselves and receive a ballot.

Candidates may designate up to two (2) individuals to observe the ballot tally. Candidates may also participate in addition to the two (2) observers. Names of observers designated by the candidates must be submitted to the Office of the City Clerk – Election Division by 5:00 p.m. (PT) on Friday, April 15, 2022 via email at Clerk.ElectionAdmin@lacity.org. Ballots will be opened and tallied on Thursday, April 21, 2022 at 9:00 a.m. (PT), and will be available to designated observers via livestream.

The Office of the City Clerk – Election Division’s Notice of Election is the source of and supersedes this web posting. Questions related to the Election conduct may be addressed to the Office of the City Clerk – Election Division at (213) 978-0444.

An Election to select the Fire Department Employee Member of the Board of Fire and Police Pension Commissioners (Board) is scheduled on April 19, 2022. The candidate elected will serve the term beginning July 1, 2022 and ending June 30, 2027.

BOARD MEMBER DUTIES – The Board exercises the prudent person standard in the discharge of its duties. It has sole and exclusive fiduciary responsibility to administer the Fire and Police Pension System (System) and its assets; has the authority to set and adopt investment policies for over $31 billion in fund assets; and has the duty to establish actuarial assumptions and adopt rules and regulations necessary to administer the System.

Preparation for regular and special meetings requires an individual to commit hours of advanced reading of Board Reports and disability cases. The Board normally meets on the first and third Thursdays of each month at 8:30 a.m. (PT). Most meetings are from three to four hours.

ELECTION PROCESS – Only active, sworn Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) members of the System are eligible to run and vote for this Board seat. Members who are interested in becoming a candidate are required to complete and submit the Notice of Intent form which was mailed with the Election Notification. Signature gathering by eligible members is not required to run as a candidate.

Along with the Notice of Intent, the candidate has the option to submit an Occupational Ballot Designation and a typewritten Statement of Qualifications for Office. The Occupational Ballot Designation will be printed under the candidate’s name and shall consist of three words to describe the following: (A) the current principal profession, vocation, or occupation of the candidate, or (B) the principal profession, vocation, or occupation of the candidate during the last calendar year immediately before the filing of the Notice of Intent to become a candidate. The Statement of Qualifications for Office may include information on education, work experience, years of service, and other relevant qualifications and shall not exceed 300 words in length. Any words beyond the 300 word limit will not be printed.

Starting at 8:00 a.m. (PT) on February 23, 2022, candidates who wish to qualify for the ballot are required to provide the following documents: 1) Notice of Intent to run for Office; 2) Occupational Ballot Designation (Optional); and 3) Statement of Qualifications for Office (Optional). The three (3) approved methods of submittal are detailed below. Documents received any other way will NOT be accepted.

1. Hand-Delivery (Appointment Only): Candidates may hand deliver the completed forms by scheduling an appointment with the Office of the City Clerk – Election Division by emailing Clerk.ElectionAdmin@lacity.org. Candidates will be provided with an appointment between the hours of 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (PT). The Office of the City Clerk – Election Division is located at Piper Technical Center, 555 Ramirez Street, Space 300, Los Angeles, CA 90012.
2. Mail: Candidates may submit the completed forms via U.S. Postal Service using the paid-postage envelope provided along with this Election Notification.
3. Email: Candidates may submit the completed forms via email to Clerk.ElectionAdmin@lacity.org.

The completed Notice of Intent must be received by the Office of the City Clerk – Election Division by the deadline of 5:00 p.m. (PT) on March 4, 2022.

Eligible voters will receive a ballot in the mail. Voters may choose to return their ballot via mail or may deposit it at the drop box located at the Office of the City Clerk – Election Division. Ballots received any other way will NOT be accepted. All completed ballots must be received by the Office of the City Clerk – Election Division by 5:00 p.m. (PT) on April 19, 2022 to be counted.

Sworn Employee Members of LAFD who become eligible within 30 days prior to the Election and wish to vote in the Election should obtain a Certificate of Eligibility (Certificate) from the Personnel Department. Beginning at 8:00 a.m. (PT) on April 8, 2022, after securing a Certificate, the newly eligible voter may contact the Office of the City Clerk – Election Division at (213) 978-0444 or by email at Clerk.ElectionAdmin@lacity.org to schedule an appointment to present themselves and receive a ballot.

The ballots will be tallied on April 21, 2022, in the presence of the observers designated by each candidate via livestream. Candidates may also participate in addition to the two observers. The Office of the City Clerk – Election Division will furnish to the Board the official certified results of the election within 14 days after the date of election.

QUESTIONS – Inquiries regarding the election process may be directed to the Office of the City Clerk – Election Division at (213) 978-0444 or by email at Clerk.ElectionAdmin@lacity.org. Inquiries may also be directed to the Administrative Services Section of the Department of Fire and Police Pensions at (213) 279-3080.

LAFPP welcomes Brian J. Churchill, the Police Department Employee Member-elect, to the Board of Fire and Police Pension Commissioners! Mr. Churchill will be sworn-in during January 2022 to fulfill his fiduciary responsibilities as a Board member beginning February 1, 2022.

Commissioner Paul M. Weber will be stepping down from the Board of Fire and Police Pension Commissioners (Board) as the Police Department Employee Member effective January 31, 2022. Since Commissioner Weber’s term was scheduled to expire on June 30, 2025, this leaves an unexpired term of forty-one (41) months. In accordance with Section 23.102.10(a) of the Los Angeles Administrative Code, the Board authorized the Office of the City Clerk to conduct a Special Election on Tuesday, November 16, 2021, to fill the upcoming vacant seat for the remainder of the unexpired term. The candidate receiving a plurality of all votes cast is then declared elected as the Police Department Employee Member of the Board.

Mr. Churchill received 53.07% of the vote, a majority, and as such is elected to serve the unexpired term of the Police Department Employee Member of the Board beginning February 1, 2022 through June 30, 2025. Congratulations Mr. Churchill!

For a current list of Commissioners, please view the Board Directory. If you have any questions concerning the Special Election results, please contact the Administrative Services Section of the Department of Fire and Police Pensions at (213) 279-3080.

All active, sworn Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) members of the Fire and Police Pensions System are eligible to vote in the Special Election for the Police Department Employee Member of the Board of Fire and Police Pension Commissioners to be held on Tuesday, November 16, 2021.

Beginning Tuesday, October 26, 2021, eligible voters will be mailed an official ballot, voting instructions, the candidates’ statements of qualifications, an identification envelope, and a paid-postage return envelope addressed to the Office of the City Clerk – Election Division. Voters may submit their ballot via U.S. Postal Service or, starting at 8:00 a.m. (PT) on November 5, 2021, may hand-deliver their ballot using the contactless mail slot located at the Office of the City Clerk – Election Division, Piper Technical Center, 555 Ramirez Street, Suite 300, Los Angeles, CA 90012. Ballots received any other way will NOT be accepted.

In order to be counted, ballots must be received by the Office of the City Clerk – Election Division by 5:00 p.m. (PT) on Tuesday, November 16, 2021. The candidate who receives a plurality of all votes cast shall be declared the winner of the Special Election. The candidate elected will serve the remainder of the unexpired term that begins February 1, 2022 and ends June 30, 2025.

Voters who damage, spoil, lose, or do not receive their ballots may obtain a replacement upon filing an Affidavit of Loss/Non-Receipt (Affidavit) form. Voters may request an Affidavit form by calling (213) 978-0444 or via email at Clerk.ElectionAdmin@lacity.org.

Sworn Employee members of LAPD who become eligible within 30 days prior to the Special Election and wish to vote should obtain a Certificate of Eligibility (Certificate) from the Personnel Department. Newly eligible members may request an appointment with the Personnel Department to obtain the Certificate by emailing Per.PersonnelServices@lacity.org with the subject line “Request for COE 2021.” The Certificate will be provided to eligible members via secure email. After securing a Certificate, beginning at 8:00 a.m. (PT) on November 5, 2021, the newly eligible voter may contact the Office of the City Clerk – Election Division at (213) 978-0444 or by email at Clerk.ElectionAdmin@lacity.org to schedule an appointment to present themselves with the Certificate and receive a ballot.

Candidates may designate up to two (2) individuals to observe the ballot tally. Candidates may also participate in addition to the two observers. Names of observers designated by the candidates must be submitted to the Office of the City Clerk – Election Division by 5:00 p.m. (PT) on Friday, November 12, 2021 via email at Clerk.ElectionAdmin@lacity.org. Ballots will be opened and tallied on Thursday, November 18, 2021 at 9:00 a.m. (PT), and will be available to designated observers via livestream[1].

[1] The Office of the City Clerk – Election Division’s Notice of Election is the source of and supersedes this web posting. Questions related to the Special Election conduct may be addressed to the Office of the City Clerk – Election Division at (213) 978-0444.

A Special Election to select the Police Department Employee Member of the Board of Fire and Police Pension Commissioners (Board) is scheduled on November 16, 2021. The candidate elected will serve the unexpired term beginning February 1, 2022 and ending June 30, 2025.

BOARD MEMBER DUTIES – The Board exercises the prudent person standard in the discharge of its duties. It has sole and exclusive fiduciary responsibility to administer the Fire and Police Pension System (System) and its assets; has the authority to set and adopt investment policies for over $31 billion in fund assets; and has the duty to establish actuarial assumptions and adopt rules and regulations necessary to administer the System.

Preparation for regular and special meetings requires an individual to commit hours of advanced reading of Board Reports and disability cases. The Board normally meets on the first and third Thursdays of each month at 8:30 a.m. (PT). Most meetings are from three to four hours.

ELECTION PROCESS – Only active, sworn Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) members of the System are eligible to run and vote for this Board seat. Members who are interested in becoming a candidate are required to complete and submit the Notice of Intent form which was mailed with the Election Notification. Signature gathering by eligible members is not required to run as a candidate.

Along with the Notice of Intent, the candidate has the option to submit an Occupational Ballot Designation and a typewritten Statement of Qualifications for Office. The Occupational Ballot Designation will be printed under the candidate’s name and shall consist of three words to describe the following: (A) the current principal profession, vocation, or occupation of the candidate, or (B) the principal profession, vocation, or occupation of the candidate during the last calendar year immediately before the filing of the Notice of Intent to become a candidate. The Statement of Qualifications for Office may include information on education, work experience, years of service, and other relevant qualifications and shall not exceed 300 words in length. Any words beyond the 300 word limit will not be printed.

Starting at 8:00 a.m. (PT) on September 22, 2021, candidates who wish to qualify for the ballot are required to provide the following documents: 1) Notice of Intent to run for Office; 2) Occupational Ballot Designation (Optional); and 3) Statement of Qualifications for Office (Optional). The three (3) approved methods of submittal are detailed below. Documents received any other way will NOT be accepted.

1. Hand Delivery (Appointment Only): Candidates may hand deliver the completed forms by scheduling an appointment with the Office of the City Clerk – Election Division by emailing Clerk.ElectionAdmin@lacity.org. Candidates will be provided with an appointment between the hours of 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (PT). The Office of the City Clerk – Election Division is located at Piper Technical Center, 555 Ramirez Street, Space 300, Los Angeles, CA 90012.
2. Mail: Candidates may submit the completed forms via U.S. Postal Service using the paid-postage envelope provided along with the Election Notification.
3. Email: Candidates may submit the completed forms via email to Clerk.ElectionAdmin@lacity.org.

The completed Notice of Intent must be received by the Office of the City Clerk – Election Division by 5:00 p.m. (PT) on October 1, 2021.

Eligible voters will receive a ballot in the mail. Voters may choose to return their ballot via mail or may deposit it at the drop box located at the Office of the City Clerk – Election Division. Ballots received any other way will NOT be accepted. All completed ballots must be received by the Office of the City Clerk – Election Division by 5:00 p.m. (PT) on November 16, 2021 to be counted.

Sworn Employee Members of LAPD who become eligible within 30 days prior to the Special Election and wish to vote in the Special Election should obtain a Certificate of Eligibility (Certificate) from the Personnel Department. Beginning at 8:00 a.m. (PT) on November 5, 2021, after securing a Certificate, the newly eligible voter may contact the Office of the City Clerk – Election Division at (213) 978-0444 or by email at Clerk.ElectionAdmin@lacity.org to schedule an appointment to present themselves and receive a ballot.

The ballots will be tallied on November 18, 2021 in the presence of the observers designated by each candidate via livestream. The Office of the City Clerk – Election Division will furnish to the Board the official certified results of the election within 14 days after the date of election.

QUESTIONS – Inquiries regarding the election process may be directed to the Office of the City Clerk – Election Division at (213) 978-0444 or by email at Clerk.ElectionAdmin@lacity.org. Inquiries may also be directed to the Administrative Services Section of the Department of Fire and Police Pensions at (213) 279-3080.