FAQS - GENERAL INFORMATION
- How can I speak in person with a LACERA Retirements Benefits Specialist?
One-on-one consultations with a Retirement Benefits Specialist are available at our Public Counter on a walk-in basis Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Appointments may also be scheduled by calling 1-800-786-6464. (6-27-06)
- Where is LACERA located?
We are located at 300 N. Lake Avenue, Pasadena, CA 91101. Our Contact Us page provides directions to LACERA from the north, south, west and east areas and also provides information on the Metro Rail Gold Line. (5-12-08)
- How can I get LACERA brochures or forms?
LACERA brochures and forms can be conveniently accessed for viewing, printing, and/or ordering on our Brochures & Forms page. (6-27-06)
- What is “My LACERA”?
My LACERA is a web feature that connects you with your personal retirement network. It provides you secure 24-hour online access to your LACERA retirement account information.
As an active member, you can create a Retirement Benefit Estimate, a personalized online calculation of the benefits you will receive when you retire. You can also review your retirement plan information, track your recent LACERA contributions and interactions, and check your Annual Benefit Statement.
As a retired member, you can adjust your federal or state tax withholdings and submit them online, view your recent Direct Deposits, 1099-Rs, and check your beneficiary designation(s). (6-25-09)
- How can I register for “My LACERA”?
Find the My LACERA logo on lacera.com and click “Register” under New Users. It's a two-part registration process. Follow the prompts through the Safe2Login and My LACERA registrations. TIP: It's helpful to have personal identifying information handy, such as a recent paycheck for active members, or an automatic deposit receipt (ADR) for retirees. (6-25-09)
- How do I advise LACERA of my new address?
Active County employees should report a change of address to their department personnel office. Your Personnel Office will forward the information to LACERA.
Retired and deferred members may report the change by calling LACERA at 1-800-786-6464 or by completing a change of address form and returning it to LACERA. You can download a copy from our Brochures & Forms page. (12-21-06)
- How does a Defined Benefit plan differ from a Defined Contribution plan?
In a Defined Benefit plan, the employer promises to pay a specified benefit upon the plan holder's retirement. That benefit is a lifetime benefit, paid to the recipient for the rest of his or her life. The employer invests the funds in a defined benefit plan and bears the risk of adverse investment performance.
Defined Contribution plans, such as 401(k) and 457 plans, are savings accounts. Benefit payments (withdrawals) under these plans stop when your money runs out. In these types of plans the employee decides how to invest the funds, and bears the risk of adverse investment performance. Benefit amounts in defined contribution plans are determined by investment performance and amount of contributions.
LACERA's retirement plans are defined benefit plans and provide a guaranteed monthly allowance paid for the rest of the member's life. LACERA benefits are based on your final average salary, retirement age, and years of service. (6-26-06)
- Which member services can be done over the phone?
The Retirement Benefits Specialists in LACERA's Call Center will assist you in completing the following procedures over the phone. Give them a call at 1-800-786-6464.
- Retired Members, Survivors: Enroll in Direct Deposit
- Retired and Deferred Members, Survivors: Change of Address
- Active, Retired, Deferred Members, and Survivors: Name Change
- Where can I find information about the 457 and 401(k) plans?
The Los Angeles County 401(k) Savings Plan and Horizons 457 Plan are defined contribution (DC) savings plans sponsored by Los Angeles County and administered by Great-West Retirement Services. For enrollment and account information, visit www.countyla.com or call 1-800-947-0845. (3-29-07)
- I worked for L.A. County many years ago. Am I eligible for a retirement benefit?
If you are wondering about your eligibility, call us at 1-800-786-6464. Our Retirement Benefits Specialists can access your records with your Social Security Number or Employee Number. (3-29-07)
- I need to report the death of a relative who worked for L.A. County. What information does LACERA need?
If your deceased loved one was an LA County employee or LACERA retiree, please contact LACERA at 1-800-786-6464. Our staff will provide the information you need to know about required documents and any available death benefits. (3-29-07)
- Can I do any retirement transactions online?
Your personal retirement information is available on My LACERA, including your service credit, contributions, annual benefits statement, and recent contacts with LACERA. You can create your own preliminary Retirement Benefit Estimate online. Registration is easy, and accessing your information is safe and secure. New interactive features will be released soon, after passing a rigorous security audit. Meanwhile, call 1-800-786-6464, and our staff will process your address change, beneficiary change, and direct deposit requests by phone. (3-29-07)
- I want to file my taxes early this year. When will I get my information from LACERA?
LACERA mails a Form 1099-R to all retirees, survivors, and beneficiaries each year by the end of January. The Form 1099-R reports all the income you received from LACERA during the previous year. (3-29-07)
- I am looking for something I read in a recent newsletter. Where can I find it?
You can find past issues of our LACERA newsletters – PostScript and Spotlight – in the Communications section. A list of the topics addressed in each newsletter will help you find the article you want. (4-6-07)
- How can I keep track of LACERA’s financial situation?
Our Investments section includes our annual reports, which provide information about LACERA’s investments as of the fiscal year end, June 30th. Our fund is very healthy. You may choose the Popular Annual Financial Report (PAFR) for a quick overview, or the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) for a complete report with all the pertinent statistics and actuarial information. This section also includes actuarial and corporate governance reports, plus detailed information about LACERA’s real estate investments. (4-6-07)
- I am currently working, what section of the web site should I look at for information?
On lacera.com, go to the Benefits tab and visit our Active Member section. You’ll find information about plan transfer, service credit purchase, or ARC purchase. In the Calculators section, try the Plan Transfer, ARC, and Retirement calculators for instant cost and benefit estimates. You may also read about the process of applying for retirement and view the Pre-Retirement Workshop schedule. (4-6-07)
- Why is there a wait at certain times to talk to someone in the Call Center regarding benefit questions?
LACERA is committed to providing you with the best customer service possible. However, there are times when our Call Center staff is inundated with member questions on new retirement legislation or policies that are periodically enacted.
You can also email your questions to us at welcome@lacera.com or visit our Public Counter (no appointment required, first come-first served), 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday - Friday. (5-12-08)
- I have been away from the County for a while. How do I find out my retirement benefits with the County?
If you have questions about what retirement plan you are in or your retirement benefits with LACERA, call us at 1-800-786-6464. If you terminated County service and deferred your retirement or established reciprocity with another agency, please keep LACERA informed of any address changes. If you are a deferred member, your most recent Annual Benefits Statement includes your service credit and, if you are eligible to retire now, an estimate of your allowance. (5-27-08)
- I’m having trouble accessing the My LACERA page. How can I get assistance?
For assistance in registering for My LACERA or accessing your information on My LACERA, please contact a Retirement Benefits Specialists at 1-800-786-6464. (5-28-08)
- When I email questions or send correspondence to LACERA, should I provide my social security number?
For safety purposes you should not include your social security number on any emails or correspondence you send to LACERA. We only need your first and last name to access your retirement information and respond to your questions. You can also call LACERA at 1-800-786-6464 and address your questions to a Retirement Benefits Specialist. (6-09-08)
- Who can register for My LACERA?
Active Members, Retired Members, Deferred Members, and Survivors all can register and access their personal retirement information on My LACERA.
Active Members, you can also create your preliminary Retirement Benefit Estimate on My LACERA. This will provide a personalized estimate (based on your actual data) of the benefits you will receive once you retire. You can access My LACERA from the My LACERA logo on lacera.com. (12/9/09)
- What are the Call Center hours?
Our Retirement Benefit Specialists in our Call Center are available to assist you and answer your questions from 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday at 1-800-786-6464. (10-24-08)
- How long will LACERA keep my employment and retirement information on file?
LACERA has your County employment and retirement plan information stored in secure computer systems, and we will keep your records on file forever. Therefore, it is important to notify LACERA if you have a change of address so we can contact you regarding your retirement benefits if necessary. (10-24-08)
- Where can I find the County Employees Retirement Law of 1937 (CERL Law Book)?
The Law Book can be accessed on the Brochures & Forms page of lacera.com. For additional up-to-date California legislation information, go to the California Legislative Counsel's web site. Go to Bill Information, click on the drop-down menu for the House (Assembly, Senate, or both), enter the bill number and press enter. The screen gives you the bill text in HTML or PDF formats, as well as the history and status of the bill. (4-5-10)
- How many members are on LACERA's Boards?
The Board of Retirement (BOR) has nine members and two alternate members. The Board of Investments has nine members. Four seats on each Board are appointed by the Board of Supervisors, two seats are elected by LACERA general members, one by active safety members, and one by retired members. The BOR has two alternate members; one elected by active safety members and one by retired members. The County Treasurer & Tax Collector serves as an ex-officio member on both Boards.
- Where can I view information about the LACERA Board members?
Photos and biographical information on the members of LACERA's Board of Retirement and Board of Investments are available in the Boards section of lacera.com.
- What are the responsibilities of each LACERA Board?
The Board of Retirement (BOR) is responsible for the overall management of the retirement system. The Board of Investments establishes LACERA's investment policy and objectives, and exercises authority and control over the investment management of the fund. LACERA’s Chief Investment Officer directs the implementation of the BOI’s Investment Policy Statement. The day-to-day management and operation of LACERA is delegated to a Chief Executive Officer, who is appointed by both Boards. (11-8-10)
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