Active Service

Skip to main content

Sign in to My LACERA

Begin content
Employees at a warehouse.

All LACERA retirement plans are defined benefit plans that pay you a specified monthly benefit for the rest of your life. Whether you’re just starting your career or getting ready to close it out, our Active Service section provides vital information about contributions, service credit, compensation, reciprocity, terminating service, disability, and other factors affecting your retirement eligibility and allowance.

Even if your retirement date is years away, it’s important to read through this section so that you can make decisions while you are still working that will benefit you over the long term. Additionally, aspects of your plan live on after you are gone, through benefits paid to your survivors and beneficiaries. You should refer to our Retirement Planning and Retiree Healthcare sections to familiarize yourself with the retirement process, retirement options, healthcare subsidy, and additional considerations to help you make best choices for yourself and your family.

More About Your Defined Benefit Plan

Features of your LACERA retirement plan are outlined below and contrasted with those of defined contribution plans.

Comparing Defined Benefit and Defined Contribution Plans
LACERA Defined Benefits PlanDefined Contribution Plan
Employer makes contributions to LACERA and is obligated to pay you a specified benefit when you retire.Employer periodically contributes a specified amount to your account until you leave service.
LACERA invests the funds; your employer bears the risk of adverse investment performance.Employee has control over investing the funds and bears the risk of adverse investment performance.
  • Your retirement allowance is a fixed amount (plus cost-of-living increases) paid to you every month for the rest of your life.
  • You can choose from several retirement options, but your option and payment amount cannot be changed after retirement.
  • Benefit payments last as long as there are funds in your account.
  • Payment frequency is flexible, and payment amounts may be increased or decreased during retirement.
  • You select which funds to remain invested in.

Benefit amount is determined by:

  • Plan
  • Final compensation
  • Years of service
  • Age at retirement

You are not affected by investment performance.

Benefit amount is determined by:

  • Investment performance
  • Amount of contributions
  • Benefit payments you choose

You are affected by investment performance.

Inflation protection through cost-of-living (COLA) programs.Value of invested account balance affected by inflation and market volatility.
Allows for reciprocal benefits with specified public employers.Possible transfer of member funds to tax-qualified plans as permitted by law.
Includes $5,000 lump-sum death benefit for retirees.Not included.
Funds not available during active service.Permits hardship withdrawals, sometimes permits loans during active service.