UNMODIFIED RETIREMENT OPTION -  Plans A, B, C, D, and E
This option pays you the highest monthly retirement allowance available you can receive; it pays the full amount of the monthly benefit to which you are entitled, based on your retirement plan, age at retirement, years and months of service credit, and your final compensation. Other options modify the amount of the monthly benefit to which you are entitled, in order to offset the various survivor benefits they provide.

The Unmodified Option may be advantageous for members with a surviving spouse or minor child(ren) or domestic partner who is eligible to receive a continuing allowance. If you are in Plan D, upon your death, your eligible survivor receives 65 percent of your allowance; in Plan E your eligible survivor receives 55 percent.

BENEFICIARIES

• The terms of the Unmodified Option dictate that upon your death, the monthly allowance can only be paid to an eligible surviving spouse, child(ren), or domestic partner.*
• Under this option, you must submit an original certified marriage certificate or Certificate of Registered Domestic Partnership.**
• If your eligible surviving spouse or minor child or domestic partner dies before you, you may change your beneficiary designation after retirement. However, upon your death, your beneficiary would receive any remaining balance of the retirement contributions you paid into the fund when you were employed.
• For members of contributory plans, under the Unmodified Option, the rights of eligible minor children will supersede those of the domestic partner; the monthly survivor benefit will be paid to the surviving children under the age of 18. (Eligibility may be extended to age 22 if the eligible child remains a full-time student in an accredited educational institution.) Thereafter, the monthly benefit will be paid to the surviving domestic partner. However, under this option, in cases where the surviving minor children elect a lump-sum payment, the amount will be shared between the domestic partner and the children on a proportional basis. These rules do not apply to members of Plan E.

Use the Retirement Calculator to get an idea of the amount of the monthly retirement allowance you would receive under the Unmodified option.

To apply for retirement, call LACERA at 1-800-786-6464, or email welcome@lacera.com, or visit our public counter at 300 N. Lake Avenue, Pasadena.

*Beneficiary Eligibility: Spouses must be married one year prior to the member’s retirement. Domestic Partners must be registered with the California Secretary of State and have a current Certificate of Registered Domestic Partnership on file with LACERA one year prior to the member’s retirement. Children must be under 18; eligibility may be extended to age 22 if the eligible child remains a full-time student in an accredited educational institution.

**Certified documents can be obtained from the Registrar Recorder in the county in which the marriage or birth was recorded. Photocopies will not be accepted. In lieu of a birth certificate, passports and naturalization papers will be accepted.