Healthcare coverage is available to all retired LACERA members and their eligible dependents, including those who were not enrolled in an employee healthcare program while an active County employee and regardless of pre-existing conditions. (Multiple factors will determine your premium costs; see more under Paying for Coverage.)
The option you select at retirement and certain life changes will affect your dependent’s survivor healthcare eligibility.
- Generally, if your dependent is eligible for a continuing survivor allowance, they are eligible for survivor healthcare. See your specific retirement option for more information.
- Visit our Pre-Retirement Divorce or Post-Retirement Divorce pages for more information about survivor healthcare eligibility for your ex-spouse/partner (and/or new partner if you plan to remarry).
Retiring Members Have 60 Days to Enroll
If you are a member nearing retirement, your medical and dental/vision coverage from the County of Los Angeles will not continue after retirement. You must enroll in a LACERA-administered health plan 60 days from your retirement date or the date that your name appears on the Board of Retirement agenda, whichever is later, or you will be subject to the late enrollment rules. You may waive coverage however, if you decide to enroll later, the late enrollment rules will apply.
There is no annual enrollment period under the LACERA-administered healthcare benefits programs. You may change health plans at any time—however, waiting periods apply. See Changing Medical and Dental Plans for more information.
Special Health Insurance Programs
Firefighters Local 1014
Members in the Los Angeles County Firefighters (LACFF) Local 1014 medical plan may continue their coverage in retirement. For more information, including setting up automatic premium deductions from your LACERA allowance, contact (310) 639-1014 or visit www.local1014.org.
LACERA-LACERS Members
If you have worked for both the City of Los Angeles and County of Los Angeles, LACERA and LACERS have contracted to provide a retiree health insurance reciprocity program for members who meet established eligibility requirements. Eligibility is determined by the member’s retirement date and the years of service with each system. (Certain conditions apply.)
Election of either the LACERA or LACERS-administered healthcare program by enrollees in this reciprocity program is irrevocable.