RETIREMENT
RETIREMENT
Your LAwell Benefits end at midnight of the last day of the calendar month in which you retire. Learn more about which benefits you are able to continue under each of the benefits below.
MEDICAL, DENTAL, & VISION
You can enroll into retiree health coverage with LACERS or choose to continue LAwell health coverage through COBRA. LACERS: Your retiree medical and dental coverage with LACERS is separate from your active employee LAwell coverage. You have an enrollment window tied to your retirement date to enroll in LACERS health coverage or you must wait until the next annual enrollment. Contact LACERS for more information. COBRA: COBRA offers you an opportunity to continue some of the insurance coverage you had through the LAwell Benefits Program as an active employee after you leave City service. See more COBRA information here.
LIFE INSURANCE & ACCIDENTAL DEATH & DISMEMBERMENT (AD&D)
You can continue these benefits through either Conversion or Portability.
As a retiree, you may convert or port your Group Life insurance coverage for yourself
and your dependents. You may also port the Group AD&D insurance coverage for
your-self and your dependents.
To convert or port your insurance policy, you must complete the Conversion or Portability Insurance Application and pay the premium directly to the Standard Insurance Company within 60 days of the date your active coverage ended. The applications are available at keepinglawell.com/life-insurance-forms.
DISABILITY INSURANCE
Your disability insurance cannot be continued after you separate from City service. If you have submitted a disability claim prior to losing LAwell benefits eligibility, you may continue to receive disability benefits through the duration of the claim. However, you are not eligible to submit new claims.
DEPENDENT CARE REIMBURSEMENT ACCOUNT &
HEALTHCARE FLEXIBLE SPENDING ACCOUNT
These benefits cannot be continued after you separate from City service. You may only use any remaining balance toward eligible expenses that were incurred up to the last day of your City employment.
Additional rules:
You may only use any remaining balance toward eligible expenses that were incurred up to the last day of your City employment.
Any expenses you incur after the last day of your City employment are not eligible for reimbursement. Under IRS regulations, any remaining funds will be forfeited. You will not receive a refund of any remaining balance you have in your HCFSA and/or DCRA.
The deadline for filing claims for eligible expenses is April 30 of the next calendar year.
Under IRS regulations, if you don’t file your claims by the April 30th deadline, any remaining funds will be forfeited. You will not receive a refund of any remaining balance you have in your HCFSA and/or DCRA.
| Type of Coverage | Able to Continue? | Additional Information |
|---|---|---|
| Medical | Yes | COBRA rules allow 18 months of Federal COBRA then 18 months of Cal-COBRA. You may not want this coverage if you will be receiving medical benefits through LACERS. |
| Dental | Yes | COBRA rules allow 18 months of Federal COBRA. Cal-COBRA is not available for dental plans. You may not want this coverage if you will be receiving dental benefits through LACERS. |
| Employee Assistance Program | No | Coverage under this plan lasts through the end of the month in which you retire. |
| Dependent Care Reimbursement Account | No | Participation ends the date that benefits are terminated. Claims for services provided after termination are not eligible. |
| Healthcare Flexible Spending Account | Yes | Continuable only if you have spent less than your year-to-date contributions at the time of termination. Coverage lasts only through the end of the calendar year in which the qualifying event occurs. |
| Disability Insurance | No | Coverage ends the date that benefits are terminated. |
| Life Insurance | Yes | May be converted to an individual whole life policy. Continuing this coverage is not subject to COBRA rules, but to those provisions set by The Standard Insurance Company. |
| Accidental Death & Dismemberment | No | Coverage ends the date that benefits are terminated. |
For more information about COBRA, including costs, visit here.
The chart below summarizes the benefits you are able to continue after retirement.
Other Retirement Resources
Other Retirement Resources
For more information, visit Retirement FAQ’s
Los Angeles City Employees Retirement System (LACERS)
• Visit the LACERS website at Los Angeles City Employees' Retirement System.
• Email lacers.services@lacers.org
• Call 800-779-8328.
Deferred Compensation Plan
• Visit the Plan website at LA457.com.
• Email LA457@lacity.org.
• Call 844-523-2457 (Voya) or 213-978-1601 (Retirement Counselor).
Disability Retirement
Disability Retirement
The opportunity to file for disability retirement is limited to individuals who were paid by their employing department within the last 12 months prior to filing. Please contact LACERS at 800-779-8328 for information regarding disability retirement eligibility. In addition, disability retirement income may cause a reduction in disability benefits from Standard Insurance Company.