Where can I find more information about the City of Los Angeles Separation Incentive Program (SIP)?

For more information about the City of Los Angeles Separation Incentive Program and answers to Frequently Asked Questions, click here.

As a LACERS Member, where can I learn more about retirement eligibility?

Please refer to eligibility requirements based upon your Tier Membership located at LACERS.org.

If I retire due to a regular retirement, when do my LAwell Benefits end?

In most cases, your benefits will end on the last day of the month in which you retired. However, if you were on leave without pay or were not working enough hours to remain benefits eligible prior to retiring, your benefits may have already ended.

As a retiree, am I able to continue all of the insurance coverage that I have under the LAwell Benefits Program?

No, there are some benefits that are not offered once you leave active service. A COBRA letter will be sent to your home informing you of your benefit termination and rights to continue coverage. These benefits are summarized in the chart below:

What are my options to continue my benefits when I retire?

You have the option of enrolling in LACERS medical and dental plans. Also, the Employee Benefits Division of the Personnel Department is required to send you and your dependents a COBRA (Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1986) letter about your right to continue some of the insurance coverages you had through the LAwell Benefits Program as an active employee. If you have coverage through LACERS or another group, you most likely will not want to continue your medical/dental benefits using the COBRA option.

As a retiree, am I able to continue my Health Care Flexible Spending Account program (HCFSA) and/or my Dependent Care Reimbursement Account (DCRA)?

Your enrollment in the City's Health Care Flexible Spending Account program (HCFSA)and/or Dependent Care Reimbursement Account (DCRA) terminates the date of your separation/retirement from City service. You may be reimbursed for any eligible expenses you incurred before the date of your separation/retirement. Under IRS regulations, any remaining funds will be forfeited and any expenses you incur after the end of your employment are not eligible for reimbursement. You will not receive a refund of any remaining balance you have in your HCFSA and DCRA.

As a retiree, how do I continue my Life insurance?

As a retiree, you may only convert life insurance coverage to an individual whole life policy. To access the appropriate application, click here or contact Standard Insurance Company directly at 844-505-6025. The application must be returned directly to The Standard Insurance Company within 60 days of the date your active coverage ended. If the insurance company receives your application after the deadline, your request for coverage will be denied. This coverage is not subject to COBRA rules, but to provisions set by Standard Insurance Company. The cost of coverage will be provided by Standard Insurance Company. For more information click here.

What do the terms “convert” or “port” mean?

In the insurance industry “porting" coverage refers to a policy being "portable"-- meaning you can take it with you, as opposed to “converting” the group coverage into an individual insurance policy. As a retiree, your only option to continue your life insurance is by converting it to an individual whole life policy.

What if I am considering a deferred, disability, or other form of non-regular retirement?

If you have questions about your retirement situation, please contact LACERS at (800) 779-8328.

What happens to my Deferred Compensation or Pensions Savings Plan account when I retire?

Please visit LA457.com7 for information on your accounts. Or click here to schedule an appointment to speak to a Retirement Counselor.

What happens to my benefits offered through my union or City club when I retire?

If you have medical, dental, vision, life insurance or other benefits with a Union or City club, please contact the organization directly.

Where can I learn more about LACERS health plans?

Information regarding medical, dental, and vision benefits and plans administered by LACERS are located here.

What is COBRA? When do I get a COBRA offer?

COBRA (Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act) is a law that allows employees to continue health coverage after leaving employment, and in other situations. The following situations should result in a COBRA offer:

Employee and all covered dependents receive COBRA:

•Termination of Employment
•Reduction of work hours

Only affected dependents receive COBRA:

•Dependent children attaining age 26
•Divorce

Under COBRA law, the COBRA offer is physically mailed to the address on record.

Please note: the COBRA eligible event must occur, and be recorded, before a COBRA offer can be made. Once a COBRA offer is made, there is 60 days to enroll into coverage. Under COBRA regulations, enrolled coverage must be continuous from the date of termination with no gaps or breaks in coverage.

When will I receive my COBRA package from the City?

It will take between 2 and 4 weeks for a COBRA package to be sent to the address you have on file in PaySR (payroll system) after the Employee Benefits Division receives notification of your retirement. We cannot provide forms early because we need to confirm that your benefits have terminated before completing the paperwork.

How much will my medical and/or dental plans cost under COBRA?

COBRA coverage is retroactive so - regardless of date you elect COBRA coverage - you will have to pay COBRA premiums for all coverage from your termination date through the month your COBRA enrollment forms are received and processed by the insurance company.

If you choose to purchase COBRA coverage, the insurance carriers will bill you directly for coverage from your benefits termination date through the month after your forms are received by the insurance plan. For example, if your benefits terminated on January 31st and you turn your COBRA paperwork into the insurance company in mid-March, you will be charged a lump sum for February, March and April coverage.

How does Medicare eligibility or Medicare enrollment affect COBRA eligibility?

If you have COBRA coverage before becoming Medicare eligible, you must terminate COBRA coverage when you become Medicare eligible. If you have Medicare before becoming COBRA eligible, you may elect COBRA coverage. For more information, please contact Medicare at 800-633-4227 and Social Security at 800-772-1213.