Applying for Retirement

1. Sign Up for a Retirement Orientation

The Retirement Orientation is an in-person, group meeting designed to educate and prepare Members who are ready to apply for retirement. This session gives you the opportunity to learn about important decisions you will need to make as you prepare for retirement. Retirement and health counselors will be available to assist you with your application, answer your questions, and help ensure a smooth transition into retirement.

Register through your MyLACERS account or by calling LACERS at (800) 779-8328, or RTT at (888) 349-3996.

2. Explore Service Purchase or Reciprocity Options

Visit this page for more information on Service Purchases and Reciprocity, and to learn how they can impact your Retirement.

3. Gather your Required Documents

Gather your Required Documents, scan them, and save them to your computer for easy uploading. The list of required documents can be found here. 

4. Attend the Orientation and Plan your Retirement Decisions

During the Retirement Orientation, you will be provided with a Retirement Benefit Estimate and a Retirement Decision Sheet to assist you in writing down your selections to the following main questions you will make during the retirement process:

• Retirement Date
• Option Selections
• Refund of Survivor Benefits (Single members only)
• Continuance Percentage
• Medical, Vision, and Dental Coverage
• Larger Annuity
• Beneficiary Designations

5. Apply for Retirement within the Filing Period

​Tier 1 Active Members

Your application for retirement may be filed with LACERS no less than 30 days prior to your retirement effective date but no more than 60 days prior to your retirement effective date.

Tier 1 Enhanced and Tier 3 Members

Your application for retirement may be filed with LACERS no less than 30 days prior to your retirement effective date but no more than 60 days prior to your retirement effective date.

Access the necessary form to Apply for Retirement.
Submit your application via the Secure Document Upload.

Tier 1 Deferred Vested Members

It is recommended you file your application for retirement with LACERS 30 to 60 days prior to your retirement effective date. Your retirement effective date cannot be any sooner than the date your application is received by LACERS. Retirement effective dates cannot be retroactive.

Access the necessary form to Apply for Retirement.
Submit your application via the Secure Document Upload.