Category: Newsroom

2025 Health and Dental Subsidy Updates

Posted on by bernice.ortiz@lafpp.com

On December 5, 2024, 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, 2025 through December 31, 2025.

Medicare Health Subsidy Benefit

The maximum Medicare Health Subsidy increased to $581.56, effective January 1, 2025. 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 ServiceMaximum Medicare Health Subsidy*
20 or moreThe lesser of: $581.56 or 100% of the single-party premium of the participant’s health plan.
15 – 19The lesser of: $523.40 or 90% of the single-party premium of the participant’s health plan.
10 – 14The lesser of: $436.17 or 75% of the single-party premium of the participant’s health plan.
Less than 10No 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 they are not eligible for a subsidy from any other source.

Qualified Survivors Non-Medicare Health Subsidy Benefit

The non-Medicare health subsidy maximum for Qualified Surviving Spouses/Domestic Partners (Qualified Survivors) will increase from $1,051.78 to $1,117.28 per month, effective January 1, 2025.

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 remain the same at $42.93 per month, effective January 1, 2025. 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.lacity.gov.

LAFPP Joins IDiF Fireside Chat on the Emerging Manager Program

Posted on by Stephen Bayutas

On January 23rd, LAFPP’s Susan Liem of the Investments Division joined a “fireside chat” hosted by The Institute for Diversity and Inclusion in Finance (IDiF). This virtual event included a discussion on LAFPP’s private equity Specialized Manager program. Susan was joined by Kirk Sims, Head of the Emerging Manager Program at Teachers Retirement System of Texas.

Click on the link to view the video: IFiF Fireside Chat: Emerging Manager Programs

The Institute for Diversity and Inclusion in Finance (IDiF)’s mission is to expand access to institutional capital and amplify efforts to increase diversity in the finance industry. The organization partners with investment firms, academics and regulators to advance its mission through education and alliances. IDiF has monthly virtual events that bring together investment practitioners and thought leaders together for discussions on various DEI related investment topics. For more information on IDiF or register for future events, please visit www.idif.org.

We’ve Moved! – LAFPP.com is now LAFPP.lacity.gov

Posted on by Oscar Diaz

In an effort to increase security and modernize the City’s online presence, LAFPP has partnered with the City’s Information Technology Agency (ITA) to move our website to its new address: https://LAFPP.lacity.gov.

These “.gov” domains are only issued to official local, county, and state government organizations in the United States. The updated .gov domain name provides additional security protections and assures visitors that the information they are viewing is from a legitimate government agency and authentic. The transition reinforces our commitment to a secured digital presence and makes it more difficult for malicious actors to defraud the public.

To aid in this transition, members and visitors who enter our old website address (www.lafpp.com) will be redirected to our new location: lafpp.lacity.gov.

We encourage you to update your web browser bookmark and visit us at our official website: https://LAFPP.lacity.gov

Official websites use “.gov” – A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
Secure .gov websites use HTTPS – https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Related Links

TAX SEASON – 1099-R INFORMATION

Posted on by Oscar Diaz

As you prepare to file your taxes, below are a couple of options for obtaining your 2023 Form 1099-R tax information:

Available online beginning January 31, 2024

You may view and/or print a copy of your 1099-R tax form by logging into your MyLAFPP portal. See below for a tutorial on how to access MyLAFPP.

Mailed on January 31, 2024

If you prefer to wait for a hard copy of your 1099-R tax form, it will be mailed to your address on file via U.S. mail on January 31, 2024. Please allow up to 10 business days to receive your 1099-R by mail. If you have not received your 1099-R form by February 15, 2024, please contact the Accounting Section at (213) 279-3040, (844) 88-LAFPP ext. 3040, or via email at accounting@lafpp.com to request a copy.

FAQs

MyLAFPP tutorial how to download your 1099-R

Important: In order to access your information, you must first register to the MyLAFPP member portal. Please refer to the Register to MyLAFPP manual located in our  MyLAFPP Helpdesk.

STEP 1: Log in to MyLAFPP. Enter your username and password, then click Log In.

Important: Usernames and Passwords are case sensitive.

STEP 2: Click on “Forms & Correspondence”

STEP 3: Click “Statements”

STEP 4: Click “Document” to Open or Download Your Form 1099R

Some members may receive more than one 1099-R tax form in a year. Here are some possible reasons why:

  • You exited DROP and received the proceeds of your DROP account via a rollover, a lump-sum cash distribution, and received at least one monthly pension check in the same year. In this case you would receive a total of three 1099-Rs. One 1099-R for the DROP rollover (Distribution Code G), one 1099-R for the DROP lump-sum (Distribution Code 1, 2 or 7), and one 1099-R for monthly pension payments (also Distribution Code 1, 2 or 7).
  • You have a non-tax dependent covered on your LAFPP-subsidized health insurance plan (e.g., domestic partner or child of a domestic partner). This 1099-R would have a Distribution Code 9.
  • Your IRS tax distribution code changed during the year (i.e., when member attains age 59 ½ by June of the same year). You would receive two 1099-Rs, one for when you were under 59.5 years old (Distribution Code 2) and another for when you were over 59.5 years old (Distribution Code 7).
  • You received pension payments based on your City service and from a qualified domestic relations order (QDRO) (Distribution Code 2 or 7) or as a beneficiary (Distribution Code 4).

Reminder: if you were an active employee at any time during 2023, you will also receive a W-2 tax form from the City of Los Angeles.

What does each box represent on the 1099-R? 

Need to make changes to your income tax withholdings?

Make them electronically through the MyLAFPP portal! You can make changes in 6 easy steps:

  1. Access MyLAFPP
  2. Click Retiree Benefits 
  3. Click Tax Withholding 
  4. Click Update Pension Tax Withholding Instructions
  5. Fill in all the information, even if you are only changing either Federal or State of California withholdings.
  6. Click Submit

Click here for an animated tutorial of the steps above.


Important Note: In addition to Federal taxes, LAFPP is responsible for tax withholding only in the State of California. Since LAFPP does not have an operating business presence in other states, we do not offer tax withholding for states other than California. If you reside outside the State of California, no state taxes will be withheld. The State tax withheld (Box 14) and State distribution (Box 16) on your Form 1099-R will be populated with $0.00.

Tax year 2023 1099-Rs: The State/Payer’s State No. (Box 15) will continue to reflect the LAFPP Tax ID CA/800-7968-4 regardless of your state of residence. Box 15 is an administrative 1099-R field for California payers.

For questions, please contact the Retirement Services Section at (213) 279-3125 or (844) 88-LAFPP, ext. 3125.

2025 Retired Fire Election Notification – Board of Fire and Police Pension Commissioners

Posted on by nashamah.freeman@lafpp.com

ELECTION NOTIFICATION

An Election to select the Fire Department Retired Member of the Board of Fire and Police Pension Commissioners (Board) is scheduled on Wednesday, March 12, 2025. The candidate elected will serve the term beginning July 1, 2025 and ending June 30, 2030. 

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 $33.37 billion in fund assets (unaudited as of September 30, 2024); 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 in duration. Regular in-person attendance at Board meetings is required.  

ELECTION PROCESS – Only retired, 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. The Occupational Ballot Designation will be printed under the candidate’s name and should 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 may include information on education, work experience, years of service, date of retirement, 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 Monday, December 30, 2024, candidates who wish to qualify for the ballot are required to provide the following documents: 1) Notice of Intent; 2) Occupational Ballot Designation (Optional); and 3) Statement of Qualifications (Optional). The three (3) approved methods of submittal are detailed below. Documents received any other way will NOT be accepted. 

  1. Hand Delivery: Candidates may hand deliver the completed forms by visiting the Office of the City Clerk – Election Division (Election Division) at Piper Technical Center, 555 Ramirez Street, Space 300, Los Angeles, CA 90012. 
  1. Mail: Candidates may submit the completed forms via U.S. Postal Service using the postage-paid envelope provided along with Election Notification. 
  1. Email: Candidates may submit the completed forms via email to Clerk.ElectionAdmin@lacity.org. 

The completed Notice of Intent must be received by the Election Division by the deadline of 5:00 p.m. (PT) on Friday, January 10, 2025. 

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 Election Division. Ballots received any other way will NOT be accepted. All completed ballots must be received by the Election Division by 5:00 p.m. (PT) on Wednesday, March 12, 2025 to be counted. 

Retired, sworn members of LAFD who become eligible within 30 calendar days prior to the Election and wish to vote in the Election should obtain a Certificate of Eligibility (Certificate) from the Department of Fire and Police Pensions (LAFPP). LAFPP is located at 701 E. Third Street, Suite 200, Los Angeles, CA 90013. Beginning at 8:00 a.m. (PT) on Monday, March 3, 2025, after securing a Certificate, the newly eligible voter may present themselves in person at the Election Division and receive a ballot. 

The ballots will be tallied on Friday, March 14, 2025, in the presence of candidates and their designated observers. To request the livestream of the tally please email Clerk.ElectionAdmin@lacity.org. The Election Division will furnish to the Board the official certified results of the election within 14 days after the date of election. In the event that no candidate receives a majority of all votes cast in the initial election, a runoff election shall be conducted on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, for the two (2) candidates receiving the highest number of votes.  

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

01/17/2025 UPDATE:

To All Retired (not including DROP), Sworn Fire Department Members

We extend our deepest sympathies and solidarity to all those affected by the unprecedented wildfires impacting the City and County of Los Angeles. We recognize the challenges you may be facing and want to ensure that you are still able to participate in the 2025 Election for the Fire Department Retired Member of the Board, even if your personal residence has been impacted.

Beginning Tuesday, February 18, 2025, if you require a replacement ballot, you may contact the Office of the City Clerk – Election Division through any of the following methods:

  • Phone: (213) 978-0444
  • Email: Clerk.ElectionAdmin@lacity.org
  • In-Person: 555 Ramirez St., Space 300, Los Angeles, CA 90012,

Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (Pacific Time)

The Election Division will provide you with an Affidavit of Loss/Non-Receipt to complete. Once the Election Division receives the completed Affidavit back – by email, mail, or in-person – they will confirm your eligibility to participate, and you will be issued a replacement ballot. Your replacement ballot can be picked up in-person from the Election Division or mailed to you via U.S. Postal Service to an alternate address. You will also receive a Business Reply Envelope, and an Identification Envelope.

Place the completed Identification Envelope with the voted ballot enclosed into the Business Reply Envelope and deposit in any U.S. Postal Service mailbox. Alternatively, you can provide Election Division the ballot in-person by use of the drop box or mail slot at their office. All ballots must be received by the Election Division no later than 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 12, 2025.

LAFPP remains committed to supporting you during this difficult time and ensuring your voice is heard in this important election.