Retirement & Pension

Preparing for the transition to retirement can pose a lot of important questions on where to start and what documents are needed to make life easier down the road.

As a firefighter and a member of the Los Angeles Firemen's Relief Association, our staff is here to assist you in any way we can. From ordering your badge and helping you plan your retirement dinner to guiding you through the City Department of Pensions, LAFRA understands and is here to help.

Our member services department is designed to assist you in preparing you for your retirement. When you reitre, you need to complete a LAFRA payroll deduction card. For assistance, please call (323) 259-5200 Ext. 223 or 259, or e-mail memberservices@lafra.org

Gathering all the necessary information is essential and knowing where to start can make the process much smoother.

Retired Battalion Chief Tom Franck, LAFD 17A, says when he retired he was unaware of all the decisions and contacts that had to be made prior to retirement.

“I was always under the impression that retirement was a one- or two-stop procedure. I quickly discovered that a certain amount of planning and several additional contacts were needed to realize an efficient, trouble-free retirement.”

In an effort to help others through the system, Franck put together a checklist outlining the procedures and City contact information.

John Jacobsen, LAFRA President says, "If you are unaware of where to begin, give us a call and we can walk you through the process."

For members covered under the LAFRA medical insurance, it's important to note that upon reaching the age of 65, there are adjustments made in premiums and dues, and it is mandatory to sign up for Medicare, otherwise "your coverage under the LAFRA PPO Medical Plan will be terminated on the first day of the month in which you turn 65," said Jacobsen.