Los Angeles City
Fire & Police Pensions (LAFPP) division guide
Defined-benefit retirement for sworn LAFD and LAPD members—community property, court orders, and what to expect when a marriage ends.
What LAFPP is
The Los Angeles Fire and Police Pension Plan (LAFPP) provides retirement allowances and related benefits for eligible sworn City of Los Angeles fire and police members under City ordinances and plan rules. It is a defined benefit system (monthly pension based on formula and service), not an individual 401(k)-style account balance.
LAFPP publishes member-facing information on marriage dissolution, including how community property may apply and how benefits may be assigned to a former spouse. Use lafpp.lacity.gov for official forms, FAQs, and contact information—procedures and phone numbers can change.
Community property snapshot
Under California law, retirement benefits earned during marriage (commonly from marriage through separation) are generally part of the community estate unless the parties agree otherwise. The judgment should spell out the division; the order sent to LAFPP must meet plan drafting requirements.
Court orders and the plan
Implementation is through court orders that satisfy LAFPP's rules (often described as domestic relations orders or comparable terminology in plan materials). The plan may require specific language, formulas, or options for survivor benefits and payment timing.
Joining LAFPP to the dissolution case is commonly required in California public-pension practice so the court can make orders binding on the plan. Whether a joinder is required in your case depends on LAFPP's instructions and local court rules—see our joinders guide.
Published LAFPP materials discuss dissolution workflows and may reference City Attorney or other City review steps for certain filings. Confirm the current process with LAFPP member services before you file.
DROP and other features
Members who participate in a Deferred Retirement Option Plan (DROP) or similar arrangements may have account balances or payment streams that are also addressed in dissolution. Whether and how DROP is divided depends on your judgment, marital settlement, and LAFPP rules in effect at the time—use LAFPP's published summaries and forms as your primary reference.
Disclaimer
This page is general educational information, not legal advice. LAFPP rules, forms, and city procedures change. Work with qualified counsel and confirm requirements directly with LAFPP.
Use QDROdl for supported drafting
When LAFPP is in scope for your product roadmap, select it during intake so your answers map to the correct templates. If you are unsure which City plan applies, start with plan selection and your attorney's direction.