You are eligible for the subsidy if you have:

    At least 10 complete years of service and are:       

• At least age 55 with a retirement date after June 30, 1998; OR At least age 60 with a retirement date before July 1, 1998.

    At least 20 years of service and are:

• Between ages 55 and 60 AND Retired after June 30, 1988 but before July 1, 1998 may be eligible for a special flat-rate Memorandum of Understanding subsidy.

Enroll in Medicare to the full extent of eligibility (usually three months before age 65).

You are eligible for the subsidy if you are:

• Enrolled in a Board-approved dental plan (Los Angeles Police Relief Association (LAPRA), Los Angeles Police Protective League (LAPPL) for Police members, or United Firefighters of Los Angeles City (UFLAC) for Fire members)
• At least 10 complete years of service; AND
• At least 55 years of age

Eligible pensioners and qualified surviving spouses/domestic partners may access their subsidy benefit through the Health Insurance Premium Reimbursement (HIPR) Program. HIPR Participants can be reimbursed for health insurance premiums paid to a non-Board approved, state-regulated health plan. Dental plan premiums are not eligible for reimbursement. Learn more about the Health Insurance Premium Reimbursement Program here.

All members, Qualified Surviving Spouses and Qualified Surviving Domestic Partners receiving health insurance subsidies are required to enroll in Medicare to the fullest extent of their entitlement three months before turning 65. (Part B only, or Parts A and B, if eligible for both). Covered dependents (e.g. spouse/domestic partner, dependent child) must also enroll in Medicare to the full extent of their eligibility at age 65.
To remain eligible for a health insurance subsidy or Health Insurance Premium Reimbursement, you must:

• Provide LAFPP with a copy of your Medicare card or Medicare enrollment confirmation.
• Enroll in a Board-approved health plan or participate in the Health Insurance Premium Reimbursement Program.
• Enroll in Medicare Part A if eligible at no cost (if you have 40 credits or will be receiving a Social Security benefit).
• Must enroll in Medicare Part B and maintain your Part B coverage by paying the required monthly premiums directly to Medicare or Social Security.

Members or Qualified Surviving Spouses/Domestic Partners who are enrolled in both a Board-approved health plan and Medicare Parts A and B may receive a reimbursement of their monthly Medicare Part B premium at the standard amount.  Those who qualify for only Part B of Medicare do not receive Medicare Part B premium reimbursement. If early Medicare coverage is granted due to disability before the age of 65, LAFPP and your Board-approved health plan administrator should be notified.

Covered dependents (e.g. Qualified Surviving Spouse/Domestic Partner, Dependent child) must also enroll in Medicare to the full extent of their eligibility three months before turning 65. Also, since qualified survivors must meet the same eligibility requirements as you, LAFPP highly recommends that covered dependents enroll in Medicare when first eligible in order to receive a health subsidy as part of their survivor benefits. Additionally, the following may impact your health insurance premium if your covered dependent(s):

• Fails to enroll in Medicare Part B at age 65.
• Enrolls in Medicare Part D (prescription drug coverage) outside of your health plan.
• Enrolls in Medicare, but does not include his/her Part A, B and/or D benefit in your health plan.
• Does not disclose his/her Medicare status to your health plan and is age 65 or older.

If any of the above applies, your out-of-pocket premium costs could increase without additional subsidy provided by LAFPP. For example, if your dependent qualified for Medicare Part B, but chose not to enroll, you may experience a higher premium and the subsidy applied to your premium may be less because they did not meet LAFPP’s Medicare enrollment requirements.

Under the Pension Protection Act of 2006, Section 845, retired public safety officers with a taxable pension who meet eligibility requirements may have a tax exclusion from gross income for up to $3,000 per year for health and dental insurance premiums deducted directly from their pension checks and paid directly to their health and/or dental plans by LAFPP.  This exclusion from gross income will have a positive tax advantage.  Members can locate the end-of-year deduction totals for their medical and/or dental premium payments on their December 31 payroll stub.