2017-18 Health & Dental Subsidy Updates

Article

On December 7, 2017, the Board of Fire and Police Pension Commissioners approved new maximums for the Medicare health subsidy, the health subsidy for Qualified Surviving Spouses/Domestic Partners, as well as the dental subsidy.  These new maximum amounts will be effective January 1, 2018 through December 31, 2018.

Medicare Health Subsidy Benefit – A Medicare Health Subsidy is provided to all eligible retired members or respective Qualified Surviving Spouses/Domestic Partners who are enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B.  The new Medicare Health Subsidy maximum is $542.51.  Your maximum monthly subsidy is based on the number of whole years of service at retirement, as shown in the chart below.

Member’s Whole Years of Service

Maximum Medicare Health Subsidy*

20 or more

The lesser of: $542.51 or 100% of the single-party premium of the participant’s health plan.

15 – 19

The lesser of: $488.26 or 90% of the single-party premium of the participant’s health plan.

10 – 14

The lesser of: $406.88 or 75% of the single-party premium of the participant’s health plan.

Less than 10

No subsidy; Tier 6 retirees see below.**

*If the member: (1) entered DROP or retired after July 14, 2011, and (2) did not opt in during the designated period to make the additional 2% pension contribution, the Maximum Medical Health Subsidy is equal to the July 1, 2011 amount of $480.41.

** Retired Tier 6 members with a service-connected disability pension, with less than 10 years of service, age 55 and over, enrolled in a Board approved health plan, and enrolled in Parts A and B of Medicare, may be eligible for 75% of the maximum Medicare subsidy or 75% of the single-party cost of the retiree’s plan, whichever is lower.

 

Qualified Survivors Health Benefit – The new Qualified Surviving Spouse/Domestic Partner (QSS/DP) health subsidy is $853.39.   If you currently receive a QSS/DP pension payment from LAFPP, you are also eligible for a health subsidy if the following qualifications are met:

  • You must be enrolled in a Board-approved health plan (one offered by Los Angeles Firemen’s Relief Association (LAFRA), Los Angeles Police Relief Association (LAPRA), UFLAC or Fire & Police Pensions) or participate in the Health Insurance Premium Reimbursement Program.
  • The sworn member had at least 10 years of service.
  • The sworn member received, or was eligible to receive, a health subsidy at the time of death; otherwise, you will be eligible when the sworn member would have been 55 years old.
  • The sworn member was a Tier 6 retiree with a service-connected disability.

If you receive a survivor benefit due to a purchase made by the member under the Survivor Benefit Purchase Program for Retirees, you are not eligible for a health subsidy.

Member Dental Subsidy Benefit – The member dental subsidy will remain at $44.60 per month.  Members may receive up to $44.60 towards their Board approved dental insurance premiums. 

Eligibility to receive a dental subsidy is also based on age and years of service.  Members must be at least 55 years of age and have a minimum of 10 whole years of service to qualify for this subsidy.  If you have retired with 25 or more years of service, you may be eligible for the maximum dental subsidy amount. Eligible retired members with less than 25 years of service may receive 4% of the maximum dental subsidy for each whole year of service, not to exceed their single-party dental plan premium.

Dependents and Qualified Survivors are not eligible to receive a dental subsidy.

Questions

If you would like more information about LAFPP’s Health and Dental Subsidy program eligibility requirements, please contact the Medical and Dental Benefits Section at (213) 279-3115 or (844) 88-LAFPP ext. 93115.  Information is also available in the Retired Members section of www.lafpp.com.