Measure D

SURVIVOR BENEFIT PURCHASE PROGRAM FOR RETIREES OF THE FIRE AND POLICE PENSION PLAN

WHAT DOES IT DO? Measure D would enable retirees in the Fire and Police Pension Plan to buy a pension benefits package for someone they married after they retired.

NOTE: This measure would also apply to domestic partners with whom pension plan members enter into a civil union after they retire. In this summary, "spouse" refers to the partner of the retired person, regardless of gender, and "married" refers to domestic partnerships and civil unions as well.

WHO WOULD PAY FOR THIS? The benfits plan would be purchased entirely by the pension plan member. The benefits would be paid out through a reduction in the retired person's pension.

WHAT IS THE CURRENT LAW? The current law states that retired FPPP members are not able to give pension benefits to those they marry after they retire.

WHAT WILL THIS COST? Measure D, if passed, will not raise any taxes. Retired FPPP members would be permitted to buy a benefits package for a new spouse at their own expense, and those benefits would be paid from the retired person's pension fund.

WHAT DOES MY VOTE MEAN? A Yes vote on Measure D means retired members of the Police and Fire Pension Plan could buy, at their own expense, a benefits package for someone they married after retiring. A No vote on Measure D would maintain the status quo.

WHAT DOES THE LA TIMES THINK? The Times editorial board urges a Yes vote on Measure D.