- 2023 Cost Of Living Adjustment is 5.1%
- Survivor Benefit Purchase Program
- 2023 Non-Medicare Retiree Health Subsidy Increase
- California Public Records Act
Category: Newsroom
AUGUST 2023 ACTIVE/DROP NEWSLETTER
We invite you to read our newsletter filled with announcements and benefit topics including our new Chief Investment Officer, Termination of Active Service, 2023 Cost of Living Adjustment for DROP participants, and more.
Click below to access the electronic copy of the newsletter.
Commissioner Raul Perez Appointed to the Board
Effective May 2, 2023, Raul Perez was appointed by Mayor Karen Bass and confirmed by the City Council to serve the remaining term ending June 30, 2023, for the seat vacated by former Commissioner Megan M. Hernandez. This is Commissioner Perez’s second appointment to the Board of Fire and Police Pension Commissioners. Commissioner Perez was first appointed by former Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and served on the Board between September 2009 and April 2013.
Congratulations, Commissioner Perez!
February 2023 Active/DROP Newsletter Is Now Available!
We invite you to read our newsletter filled with announcements and benefit topics including LAFPP Services Update, 2022 Valuation Report Approved, How to Enroll in DROP and Beneficiary Designation.
Click below to access the electronic copy of the newsletter.
Election – Police Department – Retired Board Member
An election to select the Police Department Retired Member of the Board of Fire and Police Pension Commissioners (Board) is scheduled on February 23, 2024. The candidate elected will serve the term beginning July 1, 2024 and ending June 30, 2029.
Only retired, sworn Los Angeles Police Department members of the System are eligible to run and vote for this Board seat. Retired, sworn members of the Los Angeles Police Department 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 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 February 13, 2024, after securing a Certificate, the newly eligible voter may present themselves in person at the Office of the City Clerk – Election Division and receive a ballot.
All completed ballots must be received by the Office of the City Clerk Election Division by 5:00 p.m. (PT) on February 23, 2024 to be counted. 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. The Election Calendar will be available at the end of November.
Retirement Incentive Pay Program (RIP 2.0) – Member Update
The City of Los Angeles Retirement Incentive Pay (RIP 2.0) is a program developed by the City and the Los Angeles Police Protective League to allow members of MOU 24 who are retiring or entering DROP to include specified salary increases as part of their pension benefit calculation. It is treated like a pensionable bonus equivalent to the base wage increase that was agreed to be non-pensionable for a period of time.
MOU 24 covers sworn LAPD employees with a rank of Police Officer, Police Detective, Police Sergeant, and Police Lieutenant.
It is anticipated that the application period for RIP 2.0 will open on October 25, 2023. If you wish to have your application retroactively dated, your application must be filed by December 2, 2023. Applications filed after this date will not be subject to retroactive dating and will have an effective date beginning the pay period in which the application is successfully submitted.
To read about the details of the program, or to find the application, please visit the links below:
FAQ Link: https://cao.lacity.org/RIP/RIP_FAQ_FINAL.pdf
Application Link: https://forms.gle/BSmsLEmqi76zQ4Ri9
Revocation Link: https://forms.gle/9PweDXs5UyNs34v97
LAFPP does not administer the RIP program. For any questions regarding the RIP program, please visit the links above or contact your union representatives at:
- Corina Lee – (213) 792-1089; corinalee@lappl.org
- Jerretta Sandoz – (213) 545-4903; jerrettasandoz@lappl.org
- Debbie Thomas – (424) 653-4433; debbiethomas@lappl.org
For any questions regarding how the RIP bonus may affect your Final Average Salary, please contact the DROP/Service Pensions Section at (213) 279-3100 or via email at dropsp@lafpp.com.
January 2024 Mandatory DROP Exit – Counseling Sessions
If you have an upcoming mandatory DROP Exit in January 2024, it is imperative that you contact the DROP/Service Pensions Section to schedule your DROP Exit Counseling Session. Failure to do so may delay your DROP account distribution.
Prior to your DROP Exit Counseling Session, you will need to obtain a Letter of Intent (LOI) from your employing department’s Retirement Liaison.
1) Obtain a Letter of Intent (LOI)
Contact your department’s retirement/human resources liaison. Your liaison will prepare your Letter of Intent (LOI) to terminate participation in DROP and provide you with information regarding the termination of your City employment.
Retirement Liaisons Contact Information:
POLICE: (213) 486-6610
FIRE: (213) 978-7150 or 213-978-3750
PORT: (310) 732-3484
AIRPORT: (424) 646-5900
2) Schedule a DROP Exit Counseling Session
To schedule your online or in-person DROP Exit counseling session, please contact DROP/Service Pensions at (213) 279-3100, or by email at dropsp@lafpp.com.
DROP Exit Counseling Session Schedule
Online Sessions:
Wednesday, November 8, 2023 at 1:00 PM
Thursday, November 16, 2023 at 9:00 AM
Thursday, November 30, 2023 at 1:00 PM
In-Person Sessions:
Tuesday, December 5, 2023 at 9:00 AM
Tuesday, December 19, 2023 at 1:00 PM
(LAFPP does not provide parking)
Questions?
If you have any questions, you may contact the DROP/Service Pensions Section at (213) 279-3100 or (844) 88-LAFPP, Monday-Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (PDT), excluding weekends and City holidays.
Commissioner Nanxi Liu Appointed to the Board
Effective August 30, 2024, Nanxi Liu was appointed by Mayor Karen Bass and confirmed by the City Council to serve a five-year term ending June 30, 2029. Commissioner Liu will fill the vacancy created by the departure of former commissioner Sumi Parekh. This is Commissioner Liu’s first appointment to the Board of Fire and Police Pension Commissioners.
Welcome, Commissioner Liu!
2023 Health and Dental Subsidy Updates
On November 17, 2022, 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, 2023 through December 31, 2023.
Medicare Health Subsidy Benefit
The maximum Medicare Health Subsidy will remain at $494.67, effective January 1, 2023. 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: $494.67 or 100% of the single-party premium of the participant’s health plan. |
| 15 – 19 | The lesser of: $445.20 or 90% of the single-party premium of the participant’s health plan. |
| 10 – 14 | The lesser of: $371.00 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 Health Benefit
The non-Medicare health subsidy maximum for Qualified Surviving Spouses/Domestic Partners (Qualified Survivors) will increase from $900.24 to $939.09 per month, effective January 1, 2023.
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.
Member Dental Subsidy Benefit
The maximum retiree dental subsidy will decrease from $44.60 to $43.81 per month, effective January 1, 2023. 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 or (844) 88-LAFPP ext. 3115. Information is also available in the Retired Members section of www.lafpp.com.
LAFPP OFFICES ARE RE-OPENING
OCTOBER 18, 2021 UPDATE:
LAFPP will be extending the closure to visitors. For more information visit: Temporary Suspension of In-Person Appointments
SEPTEMBER 22, 2021 UPDATE:
LAFPP will be extending the closure to visitors. For more information visit: Temporary Suspension of In-Person Appointments
SEPTEMBER 7, 2021 UPDATE:
There has been a recent surge of COVID-19 cases in Los Angeles and the surrounding counties. For the safety of our members and staff, LAFPP’s offices will be extending closure to visitors until September 24, 2021. We recommend that you continue to check our website for the latest updates on the status of our in-person operations.
AUGUST 20, 2021 UPDATE:
There has been a recent surge of COVID-19 cases in Los Angeles and the surrounding counties. For the safety of our members and staff, LAFPP’s offices will be closed to visitors until September 7, 2021. We recommend that you continue to check our website for the latest updates on the status of our in-person operations.
All confirmed in-person appointments currently scheduled will be honored or changed to a virtual session upon request. Future in-person appointments may be scheduled after September 7th. Virtual appointments, which provide flexibility and convenience, can be scheduled at any time during LAFPP’s normal business hours. MyLAFPP is available to members 24/7. You can visit our MyLAFPP Helpdesk for more information on self-services.
We value the health and safety of all. We will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates on any future changes, as necessary. Thank you for your understanding and patience.
July 30, 2021 – As COVID-19 restrictions have eased, LAFPP now plans to gradually reopen our offices beginning August 2 with a limited capacity to members and the public.
VIRTUAL MEMBER COUNSELING
Member counseling appointments will continue to be provided in group sessions via Zoom. Zoom has proven to be popular with members as a convenient, efficient, and effective format. This format also allows spouses, domestic partners, or other guests the opportunity to participate in the session either together or from different physical locations. Here are 6 Benefits of Virtual Counseling Sessions.
APPOINTMENT ONLY IN-PERSON COUNSELING
Individual appointments are only available upon request. All counseling appointments must be scheduled in advance. Only LAFPP members (no guests) will be allowed to enter the building for individual counseling appointments. Walk-in visitors are not allowed at this time.
DROP BOX
There will continue to be a Drop Box available in the first-floor lobby if you need to deliver any forms or documents. The Drop Box is secure and emptied throughout the day and at the close of business each day (4:30 PM).
BOARD MEETINGS
Beginning August 5, 2021, Board meetings will be open to the public. Due to limited capacity, we highly encourage you to continue to participate virtually by:
- Phone Dial-in via Zoom: Listen to the Board meeting with the ability to provide public comments via telephone.
- Council Phone System: Meeting is broadcast for live audio.
- Livestream: Web Stream for live audio only.
You can find more details on the Board of Commissioners Meetings Page.
SAFETY GUIDELINES
For those admitted into LAFPP offices, there are safety measures in place for all members and staff.
Automatic temperature monitoring – your temperature will be monitored upon entrance to the lobby. Any person who registers a temperature above 100.4 degrees (based on CDC guidance) will not be allowed to enter and will need to reschedule their appointment.
- Anyone who has COVID-19 symptoms should not enter the building.
- Masks must be worn for the entire visit, regardless of vaccination status.
- Members with appointments for in-person counseling cannot bring spouses or guests to the session.
- Walk-in members and visitors (i.e., those without appointments) will not be allowed to enter the building at this time.
We will continue to monitor suggested practices and safety guidelines and will implement changes accordingly. If the current increase in COVID-19 infections in Los Angeles County due to the Delta variant does not subside, we may be forced again to close our office for a short period of time. While we have adjusted our business practices, we continue to strive to provide the best service possible to our members and their families. Please periodically visit our website to stay informed of any updates to LAFPP’s Safety Guidelines and office visitations.