1. Q: I'm a new member and selected a retirement plan by the Plan Election Due Date. Why am I being billed for back contributions?
A: You owe back contributions because your membership took effect before LACERA received your plan election. This situation is common because, although your membership begins the first of the month following your date of hire, you have up to 60 days to elect your plan.

Your back contributions may be paid either in a lump sum (by check, with after-tax dollars) or through payroll deductions (with before-tax dollars). If you choose payroll deductions, each month of back contributions may be paid over a four-month period. (12-20-06)

2. Q: I am returning to County Service. Which retirement plan will I be in?
A: Returning employees can restore to a previous retirement plan by meeting certain conditions. For details regarding your personal situation, speak to a LACERA Retirement Benefits Specialist.

If you deferred your retirement by leaving your contributions on deposit when you terminated service, you must resume membership in your previous plan.

If you were previously a member of a contributory plan and withdrew your contributions when you terminated service, you can restore all the benefits of your previous plan, if you:

• Elect Plan D
• Redeposit all your past contributions, plus interest

If you were a former Plan E member, you may elect either Plan D or Plan E when you return to service. (9-14-06)

3. Q: Where can I get information regarding my retirement plan choices?
A: To assist new members with their retirement plan choices, LACERA holds New Member Workshops every Wednesday, contingent on reservations. At the workshop we will discuss all the information outlined in the New Member Guide, such as the differences between plans, and other important points to consider when selecting a retirement plan. Attendees also have the opportunity to ask questions and speak with a LACERA Retirement Benefits Specialist. To register for a workshop, call 1-800-786-6464. (6-27-06)

4. Q: What are the basic differences between Plan D and Plan E?
A: Plan D: Is a contributory plan to which both you and your employer contribute. It provides a larger scope of benefits than Plan E. Plan D members are vested earlier, and become eligible for retirement sooner than Plan E members. The retirement allowance Plan D provides is based on a higher maximum percentage (100%) of the member’s final compensation than that of Plan E (80%). Plan D also provides pre-retirement death and survivor benefits.

Plan E: Is a non-contributory plan, only your employer contributes; you do not contribute. Plan E does not provide pre-retirement death and survivor benefits; Plan E members are covered by the County Long-Term Disability and Survivor Benefit Plan. The County provides a $10,000 life insurance benefit when a Plan E member dies in active service; whereas the County benefit to Plan D members is $2,000. Plan E members are not eligible to purchase service credit for government service prior to LACERA.

Returning Members should note: Under Plan D, returning employees who were prior members of a LACERA contributory plan may be eligible to restore all the benefits of their previous plan. Certain restrictions apply; call 1-800-786-6464 to speak with a Retirement Benefits Specialist. (8-7-06)

5. Q: I’m a new member. How can I learn about my LACERA benefits?
A: Visit our New Member section under Benefits. This section offers plan information and new member workshop schedules. Take a look at the Active Member section, where you can find information about vesting, reciprocity, and purchasing service credit. You will also receive LACERA's PostScript newsletter quarterly. (4-6-07)

6. Q: I am a new member. How long do I have to submit my Sworn Statement form?
A: You have 60 days from your date of hire to make this important decision. If you don't return the forms, by the deadline, you will automatically be assigned into Plan E.*

*If you received your New Member Guide and Member Sworn Statement and Election of Retirement Plan form more than 14 days after your date of hire, your Plan Election Due Date is 45 days from the date you received these materials. Return your Sworn Statement and Beneficiary Designation Form to your HR Officer by the Plan Election Due Date indicated on the statement. (5-12-08)

7. Q. Once I complete my Member Sworn Statement and Election of Retirement Plan, who should I submit it to?
A: Submit your completed Sworn Statement and Election of Retirement Plan to your Human Resources Officer by the plan Election due date indicated on the statement. (5-12-08)

8. Q. I did not return my Member Sworn Statement form by the 60-day deadline. I am now in Plan E by default. Can I switch to Plan D?
A: Yes. Once you are in Plan E you can elect Plan D by initiating a Prospective Transfer from Plan E to Plan D or initiating an Open Window transfer to Plan D. (5-12-08)

9. Q: If I resign from County service, withdraw my retirement contributions, and then return to work for the County at a later time, can I go back to my previous retirement plan?
A: If you are a returning employee and were previously in Plan A, B, C, or D and withdrew your retirement contributions, you may restore all the benefits of your prior plan. You must elect Plan D then redeposit your previously withdrawn contributions, plus interest. We recommend that you call LACERA at 1-800-786-6464 and speak with a Retirement Benefits Specialist to discuss your individual situation. (6-11-08)

10. Q: How does LACERA determine the effective date of membership?
A: If you are a General Member, you have 60 days from your date of hire to elect Plan D or Plan E . If you don’t return your Member Sworn Statement and Election of Retirement Plan form by the plan election deadline, you will automatically be assigned into Plan E and it will be effective on the first of the month following your date of hire. If you elect Plan D within 60 days from your date of hire, your membership in Plan D will be effective on the first day of the month following your date of hire.

Safety Members are automatically enrolled in Safety Plan B effective the first day of the month following your date of hire. ( 10-24-08 )

11. Q: How does LACERA determine member contribution rates?
A: Member contributions are a percentage of your base salary plus other pensionable earnings and are based on your entry age into LACERA. For the course of your County career, your contributions are calculated based on your entry age. For example, if your official entry age is 30, your contributions will always be based on the age 30 rate, regardless of how many years you work. (10-24-08)

12. Q: How long does it take to become vested in Plan D?
A: You become vested in contributory Plan D when you have five years or more of County (or combined County and reciprocal system) retirement service credit. Vesting entitles you to a retirement allowance when you terminate employment and you meet the minimum age and service requirements.

Members of Plan D are eligible to receive a retirement allowance at:

• Age 50 with at least 10 years service credit, or
• 30 years service credit, regardless of age, or
• Age 70, regardless of service credit

If you are vested and terminate employment with Los Angeles County you may leave your plan contributions on deposit with LACERA. You may apply for service retirement when you reach age 50 and reach the date on which you would have had 10 years of County retirement service credit had you remained in service in a full-time position. (10-24-08 )