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  1. About LACERA

    About LACERA

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    Our mission is to produce, protect, and provide the promised benefits to our members.
    1. Who We Are

      1. News
      2. Careers
      3. Business Opportunities
      4. Contact Us
    2. Leadership

      1. Board of Retirement
      2. Board of Investments
      3. Board Meetings
      4. Executive Team
      5. Divisions
    3. Accountability

      1. Retirement Law
      2. Governing Documents
      3. Investments
      4. Annual Reports
      5. Public Records
  2. Active Members

    Active Members

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    Our defined benefit plans were created to provide you with financial security.
      1. General Plans

      2. Plans A/B/C
      3. Plan D
      4. Plan E
      5. Plan G
      6. Safety Plans

      7. Plans A/B
      8. Plan C
    1. Active Service

      1. Contributions
      2. Service Credit
      3. Compensation
      4. Reciprocity
      5. Terminating Service
      6. Felony Forfeiture
      7. Pre-Retirement Divorce
      8. Disability Retirement
    2. Retirement Planning

      1. Benefit Estimates
      2. Steps to Prepare
      3. Ready to Retire
      4. Workshops
      5. Retirement Options
      6. Beneficiaries
      7. Power of Attorney
  3. Retirees and Families

    Retirees and Families

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    Your monthly allowance is guaranteed, and benefits extend to families and survivors.
    1. Retirement Payments

      1. Cost of Living
      2. Direct Deposit
      3. Tax Requirements
      4. Returning to Work
      5. Divorce
      6. Admin Appeals
    2. Families and Survivors

      1. Benefits Process
      2. Eligible Beneficiaries
      3. Survivor Benefits
      4. Survivor Healthcare
      5. Taxability of Benefits
  4. Retiree Healthcare

    Retiree Healthcare

    The hallway of a hospital.
    We provide comprehensive healthcare plans and resources to keep you healthy in retirement.
    1. Program Basics

      1. Healthcare Eligibility
      2. Paying for Coverage
      3. Manage Your Enrollment
      4. Medicare
      5. COBRA
      6. Healthcare Resources
      7. Healthcare Legislation
    2. Healthcare Plans

      1. Anthem Blue Cross of CA
      2. CIGNA
      3. Kaiser Permanente
      4. SCAN
      5. United Healthcare
      6. Dental/Vision Plans

Active Service

  1. Contributions
  2. Service Credit
  3. Compensation
  4. Reciprocity
  5. Terminating Service
  6. Felony Forfeiture
  7. Pre-Retirement Divorce
  8. Disability Retirement
Begin content
Employees at a warehouse.

All LACERA retirement plans are defined benefit plans that pay you a specified monthly benefit for the rest of your life. Whether you’re just starting your career or getting ready to close it out, our Active Service section provides vital information about contributions, service credit, compensation, reciprocity, terminating service, disability, and other factors affecting your retirement eligibility and allowance.

Even if your retirement date is years away, it’s important to read through this section so that you can make decisions while you are still working that will benefit you over the long term. Additionally, aspects of your plan live on after you are gone, through benefits paid to your survivors and beneficiaries. You should refer to our Retirement Planning and Retiree Healthcare sections to familiarize yourself with the retirement process, retirement options, healthcare subsidy, and additional considerations to help you make best choices for yourself and your family.

More About Your Defined Benefit Plan

Features of your LACERA retirement plan are outlined below and contrasted with those of defined contribution plans.

Defined Benefits Plan
LACERA Defined Benefits Plan Defined Contribution Plan
Your retirement allowance is a lifetime allowance; it will be paid to you every month for the rest of your life. Benefit payments run out when money is exhausted.
Employer promises to pay you a specified benefit when you retire. Employer promises to periodically contribute specified amount to member account.
LACERA invests the funds; your employer bears the risk of adverse investment performance. Employee decides how to invest the funds and bears the risk of adverse investment performance.
Benefit amount is determined by:
  • Final compensation
  • Amount of Service Credit
  • Age at retirement
You are not affected by investment performance.
Benefit amount is determined by:
  • Investment performance
  • Amount of contributions

Inflation protection provided through cost-of-living (COLA) programs.

When the Consumer Price Index increases over the prior year, the Board of Retirement approves an annual COLA benefit for retirees and survivors.

No COLA program.
Allows for reciprocal pension benefits with specified public employers. Possible transfer of member funds to tax-qualified plans as permitted by law.
Offers selection of retirement benefit options. Not applicable.
Includes $5,000 lump-sum death benefit for retirees. Not included.
Funds not available during active service. Permits hardship withdrawals, sometimes permits loans during active service.

Los Angeles County Employees Retirement Association

Appointment Reservations
LACERA
Los Angeles County Employees Retirement Association

Member Service Center

M – F, 7 a.m. – 5 p.m. PT

Holiday Schedule

300 N. Lake Ave.
Pasadena, CA 91101

Contact Us

Member Services Call Center

M – F, 7 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. PT

800-786-6464

Retiree Healthcare

800-786-6464

Business

M – F, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. PT

PO Box 7060
Pasadena, CA 91109-7060

Phone 626-564-6000

Fax 626-564-6155

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