PLAN About LACERA

1 Produce, Protect,otect,andandProvideid,ovide the Promised Benefi ts. About LACERAThe Los Angeles County Employees Retirement Association ( LACERA ) has the duty and authority to administer defi ned retirement plan benefi ts for the employees of Los Angeles County (County) and outside districts, which include the Little Lake Cemetery District, Local Agency Formation Commission, South Coast Air Quality Management District, and Los Angeles County Offi ce of Education.* We are responsible for collecting, depositing, investing, and managing the retirement funds contributed by the County, outside districts, and County employees. LACERA was established under the authority of the County Employees Retirement Law of 1937 (CERL) and is governed by CERL and the California Public Employees Pension Reform Act of 2013 (PEPRA).

2 Our association has been providing retirement, disability, and death benefi ts to eligible County employees, retirees, and their benefi ciaries since 1938. In 1971, we began administering a retiree healthcare benefi ts program. LACERA is an independent governmental entity, subject to the laws governing fi duciaries. Our staff operates under the direction of a nine-member Board of Retirement (with two alternate members) and a nine-member Board of Investments. We monitor laws and develop rules and policies in support of the best interests of our members, and offer individual counseling and retirement seminars to members in preparation for their mission is to Produce, Protect, and Provide the Promised Benefi ts. *Employees of South Coast Air Quality Management District hired after December 31, 1979 and employees of Los Angeles County Offi ce of Education hired after July 1971 become members of retirement systems other than LACERA .

3 The Los Angeles County Employees Retirement Association is governed by the County Employees Retirement Law of 1937 and the California Public Employees Pension Reform Act of 2013; LACERA retirement benefi ts are administered in accordance with these laws. If there is any confl ict between statements made herein and provisions of the applicable retirement law, the law will for additional information or call LACERA at 626-564-6132 or 800-786-6464. You may also visit our Member Service Center at 300 N. Lake Avenue, Suite 100, Pasadena, CA r Retirement PLANEPlan Your 2013 ASD 543 Produce, Protect,otect,andandProvideid,ovide the Promised Benefi ts. About LACERAThe Los Angeles County Employees Retirement Association ( LACERA ) has the duty and authority to administer defi ned retirement plan benefi ts for the employees of Los Angeles County (County) and outside districts, which include the Little Lake Cemetery District, Local Agency Formation Commission, South Coast Air Quality Management District, and Los Angeles County Offi ce of Education.

4 * We are responsible for collecting, depositing, investing, and managing the retirement funds contributed by the County, outside districts, and County employees. LACERA was established under the authority of the County Employees Retirement Law of 1937 (CERL) and is governed by CERL and the California Public Employees Pension Reform Act of 2013 (PEPRA). Our association has been providing retirement, disability, and death benefi ts to eligible County employees, retirees, and their benefi ciaries since 1938. In 1971, we began administering a retiree healthcare benefi ts program. LACERA is an independent governmental entity, subject to the laws governing fi duciaries. Our staff operates under the direction of a nine-member Board of Retirement (with two alternate members) and a nine-member Board of Investments.

5 We monitor laws and develop rules and policies in support of the best interests of our members, and offer individual counseling and retirement seminars to members in preparation for their mission is to Produce, Protect, and Provide the Promised Benefi ts. *Employees of South Coast Air Quality Management District hired after December 31, 1979 and employees of Los Angeles County Offi ce of Education hired after July 1971 become members of retirement systems other than LACERA . The Los Angeles County Employees Retirement Association is governed by the County Employees Retirement Law of 1937 and the California Public Employees Pension Reform Act of 2013; LACERA retirement benefi ts are administered in accordance with these laws. If there is any confl ict between statements made herein and provisions of the applicable retirement law, the law will for additional information or call LACERA at 626-564-6132 or 800-786-6464.

6 You may also visit our Member Service Center at 300 N. Lake Avenue, Suite 100, Pasadena, CA r Retirement PLANEPlan Your 2013 ASD 543 Terms to to of ContentsPLAN EActive Member: A member of LACERA who is currently employed by the Retirement Credit (ARC): Credit that was purchased on or before December 31, 2012 to increase a member s service credit total. It was not based on actual employment and does not count toward retirement eligibility, vesting, or retiree healthcare subsidy. ARC purchases were discontinued under PEPRA as of January 1, : Abbreviation for the County Employees Retirement Law of 1937, one of the laws governing LACERA and 19 other county retirement systems in Earnable ( Pensionable Earnings or Pensionable Income): The amount of income used in calculating a member s fi nal compensation.

7 Income included in compensation earnable depends on the member s date of hire and is subject to the limitations set forth in the Internal Revenue Benefi t: A monthly benefi t paid to a survivor or benefi ciary following the death of a retired Member: A vested member of LACERA Plan E who left County service prior to Reserve Account: An account representing the balance of employer contributions toward future retirement benefi t payments. Final Compensation: An average of the member s highest monthly compensation earnable during any three 12-consecutive-month periods, it is one determining factor in establishing a member s monthly retirement Member: A permanent employee of Los Angeles County or an outside district working three-quarter time or more in a position other than fi refi ghting, forestry, lifeguarding, or law enforcement (including District Attorney investigators).

8 * *Certain lifeguard positions may be classifi ed as general member positions. Terms to Know continued on back inside coverPEPRA: Abbreviation for the Public Employees Pension Reform Act of 2013, one of the laws governing LACERA and other public retirement systems in Member: A LACERA member who has been granted retirement from County service by the Board of Option: A format for determining how retirement and continuing benefi ts are paid. Plan E offers a choice of fi ve Retirement : A special relationship between LACERA and certain other California public retirement systems that protects retirement benefi ts earned under more than one retirement Member: A permanent employee of Los Angeles County working three-quarter time or more in fi refi ghting, forestry, lifeguarding, or law enforcement (including District Attorney investigators).

9 *Service Credit: One of the components used to calculate a member s retirement allowance. Plan E members earn service credit each payroll period, provided certain conditions are Retirement: Retirement from County service granted by the Board of Retirement to a member who has met the minimum age and service : An employee s entitlement to receive certain benefi ts accrued under his or her retirement plan. In Plan E, this is based on the completion of ten or more years of active County (or combined County and reciprocal system) service. Being vested entitles you to a retirement allowance when you terminate employment and meet the minimum age and service requirements. Vesting also entitles you to terminate County employment and defer receiving your retirement allowance until you are eligible and ready to apply for retirement.

10 *Certain lifeguard positions may be classifi ed as general member positions. 3 4 4 5 6 7 8 9 9101213141415161618181920212223242627282 93132323233353535 Section 1: Welcome to Plan EAbout Your LACERA Defi ned Benefi t PlanThree Factors Determine Your Retirement Benefi tsChart: Summary of Plan E ProvisionsRetirement EligibilityActive Service Ages 55-65 Section 2: Understanding the VariablesImportance of Service CreditEarning Service CreditAdditional Retirement Credit (ARC)Section 3: Other Circumstances of ServiceReciprocityTerminating ServiceRestoring to a Prior PlanSection 4: Combined AllowancesTransferring to Plan DChart: Transfers OverviewDouble AccountDual StatusSection 5: Exploring the Benefi tsMy LACERAR etirement OptionsChart: Plan E Service Retirement OptionsMore About Plan E OptionsDesignating Benefi ciariesSurvivor Eligibility-HealthcareDeath/Burial Benefi tSection 6: Additional Impacting FactorsCOLAS ocial SecurityWindfall Elimination Provision Government Pension OffsetTaxabilityDissolution of Marriage (Divorce)GarnishmentPension ForfeitureYour Records Are Subject to Public DisclosureConnect With Your Retirement OnlineAll LACERA Plan Books are online in the Plan Book Section of The online versions will be updated throughout the year to refl ect the latest.