In the event of your death, there are three types of qualified survivors that may be eligible to receive a survivor pension.

• Qualified Surviving Spouse/Qualified Surviving Domestic Partner (QSS/QSDP) – A surviving spouse must be legally married to you. A domestic partner must be declared with the State of California, City of Los Angeles Personnel Department, other City Department or outside agency, or a confidential Declaration of Domestic Partnership form must be filed with LAFPP. Please review the Survivor Benefits Handbook for complete eligibility requirements.
  NOTE: Survivor pension paid to a QSS/QSDP is lifelong. In addition to a QSS/QSDP benefit, your QSS/QSDP may also receive additional benefits for your qualified children.
  

• Qualified Children (QC) – If there is no QSS/QSDP to receive the pension benefit, the benefit allotted to the QSS/QSDP will transfer to the QC, only up to the age of 18 or 22 for minor children. Qualified Children are your biological children or adopted children as follows:
  • ​Minor Child – under the age of 18 (or age 22 if a full-time student).
  • Dependent Child – mentally or physically disabled prior to age 21 and incapable of earning a living as a result of the disability (could potentially receive a lifetime benefit).
• Qualified Parent(s) – If there is no eligible QSS/QSDP or QC, the benefit may be awarded to a Qualified Parent(s). 
   

If a survivor pension is paid, there is no refund of contributions.

Please visit the Survivor Benefits Handbook to read more and view all eligibility requirements for each category.