HOW TO: Apply for a Qualified Surviving Spouse / Domestic Partner Pension

Follow these steps to report a member's death and to claim a survivor's pension. Review the Survivor Benefits Handbook.

Step 1

Notify LAFPP When A Member Dies

  • Active Member deaths should be reported to the Disability Pension Section.
  • Retired Member deaths should be reported to the Retirement Services Section.
  • Written correspondence should be mailed to:
    • Active Member Death -

    Los Angeles Fire and Police Pensions
    Disability Pension Section
    360 East Second Street, Suite 400
    Los Angeles, CA 90012

    • Retired Member Death -

    Los Angeles Fire and Police Pensions
    Retirement Services Section
    360 East Second Street, Suite 400
    Los Angeles, CA 90012
Step 2

Provide Supporting Documentation

  • Certified copy of the member's death certificate.
  • Certified copy of the marriage certificate as proof of marriage to our member, if not already in member's file.
  • Birth certificates for all minor and/or dependent children.
  • Guardianship documents for minor and/or dependent children, where applicable.
  • If designated beneficiary is deceased, then a certified death certificate of the beneficiary or letters of addition or testamentary is required.

    Note: The Disability Pension or Retirement Services Section may request additional information to establish survivor eligibility.
Step 3

Application for Survivor Pension Benefits

  1. We will mail the Application for Survivor Pension Benefits to the eligible qualified survivor.

  2. Return the completed, notarized application and any requested documents to Los Angeles Fire and Police Pensions. (See "Step 1" for mailing address.)

Note: In lieu of having the application notarized, you may complete it in our offices and have it witnessed by an LAFPP employee. Proof of identification is required, e.g., valid Driver License, valid passport with photo or valid official U.S. Military or U.S. Government ID.

  1. The application will be processed. The qualified survivor's pension should commence the following month upon approval from the Board of Fire and Police Pension Commissioners.

Note: Ideally, it can take 4 - 8 weeks from the time an Application for Survivor Pension Benefits is mailed to the qualified survivor, to the date he/she receives the first pension check.