Information Type: How To

How To View COLA Bank

Pensioners and DROP Members you may now view COLA bank on MyLAFPP.

Important: In order to access your information, you must first register to the MyLAFPP member portal.
Please refer to the MyLAFPP Helpdesk on how to register and other helpful self-service “How-to’s.”

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

Important: Usernames and Passwords are case sensitive.

 

 

2
Click on the “+” symbol next to Retiree Benefits, then click Pension Summary.

3
3. Click on the COLA Bank.

4
The page will display your COLA Bank details.

Contact Us

If you require further assistance please contact the Retirement Services Section at (213) 279-3125 or (844) 885-2377, Monday-Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (PDT), excluding weekends and City Holidays.

Apply for a Qualified Surviving Spouse / Domestic Partner Pension

Follow these steps to report a member’s death and to claim a survivor’s pension. 

1
Notify LAFPP when a member dies
  • Active Member deaths should be reported to the Disability Pension Section.
  • Retired Member deaths should be reported to the Retirement Services Section.
  • Written correspondence should be mailed to:
    • Active Member Death –
      Los Angeles Fire and Police Pensions
      Disability Pension Section
      701 East Third Street, Suite 200
      Los Angeles, CA 9001
    • Retired Member Death –
      Los Angeles Fire and Police Pensions
      Retirement Services Section
      701 East Third Street, Suite 200
      Los Angeles, CA 90013
2
Gather supporting documentation
  • Certified copy of the member’s death certificate. We can accept alternatives to the death certificate (statement from funeral home or attending physician) to start the process.
    Note: It can take approximately 30-90 days to receive a death certificate from the county or other agency.
  • Certified copy of the marriage certificate as proof of marriage to our member, if not already in member’s file.
  • Birth certificates for all minor and/or dependent children.
  • Guardianship documents for minor and/or dependent children, where applicable.
  • Adoption documents for minor and/or dependent children, if applicable.
  • If designated beneficiary is deceased, then a certified death certificate of the beneficiary or letters of addition or testamentary is required.

 

The Disability Pension Section or Retirement Services Section may request additional information to establish survivor eligibility.

3
Application for survivor pension benefits
  • Once the death of a member is reported, we will mail the Application for Survivor Pension Benefits to the eligible qualified survivor within 1-2 business days.
  • Return the completed, notarized application and supporting documents (listed above in “Step 2″) to Los Angeles Fire and Police Pensions. (See “Step 1″ for mailing address.)Note: In lieu of having the application notarized, you may complete it in our offices and have it witnessed by an LAFPP employee. Proof of identification is required, e.g., valid Driver License, valid passport with photo or valid official U.S. Military or U.S. Government ID.
  • Once a completed application and required documents are received, the request for a survivor pension benefit will be scheduled for review at the next available meeting of the Board of Fire and Police Pension Commissioners. The Board normally meets on the first and third Thursdays of the month at 8:30 a.m.Note: It is not necessary for the survivor applicant to be present at the Board meeting.
  • Upon Board approval, the qualified survivor’s pension will commence the following month.

 

Once a complete Application for Survivor Pension Benefits and all required documents are received, it can take approximately 30-60 days before the first payment is issued to the qualified survivor. Incomplete applications and/or missing documents will delay the payment.

File a Statutory Power Of Attorney

Members may want to consider filing a Power of Attorney to authorize someone to act on their behalf in the event they become incapable of doing so. The table below summarizes what a Power of Attorney is and how to file one. Before establishing a Power of Attorney, members are also encouraged to seek legal advice.

Power of Attorney (POA)

What is a Power of Attorney?

A Power of Attorney (POA) is a written instrument that you execute to grant authority to a person to act for you. That person usually is referred to as an agent or an attorney-in-fact. The POA may be durable or non-durable.

Durable POA

A durable POA must contain words showing that you intend for the authority conferred to be exercisable even after you subsequently become incapacitated. If this wording is not included, the POA is non-durable and your agent is not authorized to act on your behalf after you become incapacitated. Having a durable POA may eliminate the need for a court to appoint a conservator to manage your affairs if you become incapacitated.

Limited POA

A limited POA places limits on your agent’s authority. Your agent can only act as indicated in the document.

Uniform Statutory Form Power of Attorney (Statutory POA)

What is the Statutory POA?

The Statutory POA is a form the State of California provides in Probate Code (PC) § 4401 that can be completed as either a durable or non-durable POA. A Statutory POA is legally sufficient if all of the following conditions are met:

  • The wording substantially complies with PC § 4401, and
  • The form is properly completed with a date of signature, and
  • The signature is acknowledged by a notary public or two adult witnesses who are not the attorney-in-fact.

A copy of the Statutory POA as enacted in the current Probate Code and PC §§ 4260, 4264 and 4400-4465 is included. The powers granted by the Statutory POA are broad and sweeping. Please familiarize yourself with the provisions or seek legal counsel for assistance in understanding their impact.

Submitting a POA Form to LAFPP

Why and how do I file my POA with LAFPP?

If you want your agent to act on your behalf with LAFPP, you will need to submit a copy of your POA form or a completed Power of Attorney Information Sheet in person or mail to:

Los Angeles Fire and Police Pensions
Retirement Services Section
701 East Third Street, Suite 200
Los Angeles, CA 90013

Your POA cannot be accepted until after it has been reviewed by the City Attorney because often these forms are not properly completed or are not legally sufficient for other reasons. For example, after January 1, 2012, your agent cannot create or change your survivorship benefits, such as, enroll you in the Survivor Benefits Purchase Program without your express authorization detailed in the “Special Instructions” section of the POA form. Filing your POA form with LAFPP in advance is suggested to ensure that it is legally sufficient.

After you file a POA with LAFPP and it is accepted, LAFPP will allow your agent to act on your behalf as authorized in the document. If you revoke the POA, or it is modified or terminated for any reason, LAFPP must be promptly notified.

For information on filing your POA with LAFPP, please contact the Retirement Services Section by email at rs@lafpp.com or by phone at (213) 279-3125 or (844) 88-LAFPP.

Start, Change Or Cancel Direct Deposit

Have you opted to receive your pension payments via direct deposit? Electing direct deposit is a quick and secure way to receive your pension payments electronically and it saves time from going to the bank. If your paper check is lost in the mail or you misplace it, getting a replacement check can take up to six weeks from the original payment date.

If you plan to start the process, make a change or cancel your Direct Deposit, you may do so from MyLAFPP or by downloading and completing a Direct Deposit Form.

You can start, change or cancel your direct deposit by using MyLAFPP. Once you login to MyLAFPP, navigate to Retiree Benefits > Pension Payment > Update Pension Payment. There is no need to provide any forms if you sign up for direct deposit using MyLAFPP.

If you prefer to use a paper form, please download and submit a completed Direct Deposit Form to the Retirement Services Section. You can submit your form by mail, email (rs@lafpp.com) or fax (213) 628-7716. Follow the instructions on the form to ensure that your information is complete and accurate. If you are starting or changing your Direct Deposit information, please include a canceled or voided check with your form. Depending on when your form is received, it may not be processed until the month following receipt.

Things to Consider

1

Once you set up your Direct Deposit account, your payment will automatically be deposited on the last business day of each month – see the Pension Payment Schedule for actual dates. However, the availability of funds may vary according to your financial institution. Your pension benefit statement will continue to be mailed to the mailing address we have on file; there is no option to remove such mailing.

2

When changing or canceling your Direct Deposit, we recommend leaving your existing account open until your request has been completed. If your account is closed prematurely, you will need to wait for our receipt of the returned payment which will delay its reissuance. Please notify the Retirement Services Section immediately to prevent lengthy delays.

3

If you experience difficulties with your Direct Deposit account, fixes can be made to your account information for payment the next business day.

4

If you are still receiving a paper check, it can be damaged, delayed due to weather, lost in the mail, or misplaced. To have your check reissued, you must complete a Lost Check Affidavit and submit it to the Retirement Services Section. Please note there are only two payment dates per month. Depending on when your affidavit is received, this process can take up to six weeks from the original payment date.

If you have questions regarding your Direct Deposit election, please contact the Retirement Services Section at (213) 279-3125 or by email (rs@lafpp.com).

Change your Monthly Income Tax Withholding

The federal government and the State of California (for residents only) require that LAFPP withhold taxes unless the pensioner or other payees file an election to have no taxes withheld.

Per IRS requirements, effective January 1, 2023, if a completed form is not on file with our office, taxes equivalent to a single individual with no adjustments will be deducted from your pension check. Note that the default withholding for California income tax withholding for California residents remains unchanged at married with three withholding allowances.

For more information on tax tables, please visit the IRS website. 

You may change your withholding elections at any time by completing the appropriate income tax withholding form or updating your information on MyLAFPP.

Income Tax Withholding Form

If you want to change your tax withholding elections, you may submit the following income tax withholding forms to the Retirement Services Section. 

  • Federal Tax Withholding: Submit a completed IRS Form W-4P to have federal income tax withheld from your taxable monthly pension check. The Form W-4P includes instructions on how to complete the form. You may also review the LAFPP Form W-4P FAQs for additional information.
  • California State Tax Withholding: If you are a California resident and would like California state income tax withheld from your taxable monthly pension check, submit a completed LAFPP California Income Tax Withholding Form

Submissions received after the 15th of the month will become effective the following month.

Things to Consider

Tax Withholding for Foreign Residents

The IRS no longer allows for flat rate withholding. If you make changes to your federal tax withholding, you may only select from one of the following two options:

  1. Do not withhold any taxes, or
  2. Withhold using the federal tax tables.

If the appropriate form (W-8 BEN) is not on file with our office, a mandatory 30% Non-Resident Alien (NRA) tax will be withheld from your pension check. Upon receipt of the required form, your tax withholdings will be adjusted to the percentage applicable to your country of residence.

Federal Tax Withholding

The IRS no longer allows for flat rate withholding. If you make changes to your federal tax withholding, you may only select from one of the following two options:

  1. Do not withhold any taxes, or
  2. Withhold using the federal tax tables. Please note that you may also elect to add a flat rate in addition to the federal tax tables.

If your federal tax withholding is currently set to a flat dollar amount or percentage, that election will continue to be honored. However, if you decide to update your withholding election, you will only be able to choose from one of the two options above.

State Tax Withholding

If you move to another state, you cannot withhold non-California state taxes.

Residents of California will have their state tax withholdings reported on a Form 1099-R.

Note: If you lived in more than one state within a tax year, you could receive additional forms.

Update Your Mailing Address

If you have a change of address, you may update your information by completing a Change of Address Form or updating your information on MyLAFPP. Click here to view a step-by-step guide on updating your mailing address on MyLAFPP.

If you wish to submit a future or temporary change of address or prefer to mail us your address change, please download and submit a completed Change of Address Form to the Retirement Services Section by email (rs@lafpp.com), fax or mail. Follow the instructions on the form to ensure that your information is accurate. Due to stringent deadlines, your form may not be processed until the month following receipt. For form deadlines, please refer to the Pension Payment Schedule.

Things to Consider

Foreign Change of Address

If you have a foreign change of address, you must submit a completed Change of Address Form to the Retirement Services Section, and one of the following for approval:

1. If you are a U.S. citizen, you are required to submit a completed Form W-9 Request for Taxpayer Identification Number and Certification, available on the IRS website.

2. If you are a Non-U.S. citizen, you are required to submit a Form W-8BEN Certificate of Foreign Status, available on the IRS website.

State Tax Withholding

If you move to another state, you cannot withhold non-California state taxes as LAFPP does not accept tax forms for non-California states and LAFPP staff cannot input non-California tax withholding elections.

California residents may elect to withhold California state taxes also by completing and sending an Income Tax Witholding Form to LAFPP by email (rs@lafpp.com), fax or mail or by updating your information on MyLAFPP.


See HOW TO: Change Your Monthly Income Tax Withholding for Your Pension Payments for more information.

Applying for Health Insurance Premium Reimbursement

The Health Insurance Premium Reimbursement Program is available to pensioners and Qualified Surviving Spouses/Domestic Partners who meet LAFPP health insurance subsidy eligibility requirements and are not enrolled in a Board-approved health plan.

For more information, visit Health Insurance Premium Reimbursement (HIPR).

How do I apply for reimbursement?

  • Complete and sign a Retired Health Insurance Premium Reimbursement Claim Form for each period of coverage to be reimbursed.
  • Submit proof of premium coverage and payment of premiums, such as:
    • Proof of coverage: statement/premium bill from the company and/or a copy of a health insurance card indicating coverage for the reimbursement period requested.
    • Proof of payment: copies of canceled checks (front and back), bank statements, credit card statements, and/or a letter from the insurance company indicating receipt of monthly premiums paid.
  • If you are enrolled in Medicare, you must provide a photocopy of your Medicare card and your Part D insurance card (if applicable) the first time you file a claim and upon request thereafter.

Please keep copies of all documents submitted, as they become part of the claim. No documents will be returned.

When will I receive reimbursement?

Coverage Period WithinClaim Forms Received ByReimbursement Issued
January 1 – March 31NO LATER THAN April 15May 31
April 1 – June 30July 15August 31
July 1 – September 30October 15November 30
October 1 – December 31January 15February 28

Note: Claim forms received after the deadline will be processed according to the payment schedule for the following quarter. Claim forms received later than 12 months after the end of the coverage period will not be processed.

Questions?

If you have, please contact the Medical and Dental Benefits Section at (213) 279-3115 or toll-free at (844) 88-LAFPP, Monday-Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (PDT), excluding weekends and City Holidays.

Update Your Mailing Address

If you have a change of address, please be sure to update your information by contacting your DROP Counselor. LAFPP will only update your mailing address with the Department.

You must also update your address with your employing department. By keeping your department informed of your new address, we will be better able to ensure you receive newsletters, DROP exit seminar invitations, and other important benefit information.

For questions, please contact DROP Services 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.

Exit DROP

If you are preparing to exit DROP, follow the steps below to ensure timely distribution of your DROP account and a smooth transition into retirement!

1
Meet with your department’s retirement/human resources liaison.

Schedule your appointment 90 days prior to your desired DROP exit date. Your liaison will provide you with information regarding the terminating requisites for your department and payment of unused sick, vacation and overtime balances. He/she will also prepare your Letter of Intent (LOI) to terminate participation in DROP. Bring the LOI to your DROP Exit appointment with LAFPP DROP/Service Pensions staff.

2
Schedule your DROP Exit Appointment.

Call the LAFPP DROP/Service Pensions Section to schedule your appointment not less than 45 days prior to your desired DROP exit date. Afterwards, you will be emailed the DROP Exit forms for you to indicate how you would like to receive your DROP account balance and other forms related to your monthly pension benefit.

 

You may elect to receive your balance as a lump-sum payment, a rollover to a qualified account or a combination of both. A description of each type is provided below.

 

Lump-Sum Payment

If you elect to receive a lump-sum payment of your DROP account balance from LAFPP, you will be taxed. However, a portion of any after-tax pension contributions you made to the Plan, such as those made from July 1, 1982 to December 20, 1996, may be distributed to you tax free.

 

Note for Tier 4 members: In addition to any applicable tax, if you are not age 50 or older in the year in which you exit DROP, you will also be assessed a 10% “early distribution” penalty by the IRS when you receive your lump-sum payment.

 

Rollover

You may defer payment of taxes on the taxable portion of your DROP account balance by rolling it over to one qualified account, such as the City’s Deferred Compensation plan or an Individual Retirement Account (IRA). You will then be subject to the rules of such plan when you take distribution of your funds.

 

Note: If your DROP account balance includes any non-taxable amount, you may elect to receive a partial lump-sum payment of that portion, tax free. Otherwise, if you elect to roll over your entire balance to a single plan/financial institution, the qualified account you designate must accept non-taxable funds – the City’s Deferred Compensation plan does not.  If you roll over any non-taxable portion, you must also roll over your entire taxable portion.

 

Combination Lump-Sum Payment & Rollover

You have the option to take a portion of your DROP account balance in a lump-sum payment from LAFPP and roll over the remaining balance to a qualified account.

 

You may wish to consult with your tax and/or financial advisor so that you are aware of any financial consequences that could affect your distribution decision. We cannot advise you regarding your tax liability.

3
Submit your completed DROP Exit forms.

In order to ensure that payment of your DROP account balance is issued on the last business day of the month in which you exit, submit your completed forms, LOI and any other requested documents (e.g., marriage certificate, dissolution of marriage decree or declaration of domestic partnership) at your DROP Exit appointment or, no later than the first business day of the month in which you exit.

 

Consider the following before exiting DROP:

  • Changes to your DROP distribution election (only allowed if your DROP exit account has not been processed yet), incomplete/incorrect forms, pending documents or late submission will delay distribution of your funds.
  • LAFPP must receive completed forms and documentation requested by DROP/Service Pensions staff no later than 90 calendar days after your DROP exit date. After 90 days, your DROP account balance will be distributed as a lump-sum payment only, subject to a mandatory 20% Federal tax withholding for the entire account balance. Any after-tax contributions will be recoverable solely from your monthly pension payments.
  • No interest will be applied to your DROP account after your DROP exit date.

Questions?

If you have any questions, you may contact the DROP 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.