Domestic partnership is defined as two adults who are in a committed relationship and meet all of the following requirements:

• At least 18 years of age or have met the requirements of California Family Code Section 297.1
• Not related by blood
• Not married or a member of another domestic partnership, and
• Capable of consenting to the domestic partnership

Your Qualified Domestic Partner may receive a lifelong survivor’s pension benefit, provided all eligibility and notification requirements are met or submitted upon your death. Qualified Domestic Partners receive the same survivorship benefits available under the Plan as a Qualified Surviving Spouse. You can read about survivor benefits in the Summary Plan Description for your Tier. 

Note: Filing a Declaration of Domestic Partnership with LAFPP does not create community property rights in the member’s pension benefits or inheritance rights to the member’s contributions.

This is what you need to submit if you filed and established your domestic partnership with:

• State of California -submit a copy of your state registration certificate. The certificate will be accepted, and the filing date with LAFPP will be the same as the effective date of your domestic partnership filing with the State.
• City of Los Angeles Personnel Department or another City Department – submit proof of filing such as a stamped copy of the Affidavit of Domestic Partnership form you submitted or the acknowledgment letter you received from the Personnel Department or other City Department. LAFPP will acknowledge the date you filed with another City Department as the effective date of your domestic partnership with LAFPP.
• With another agency or jurisdiction – submit similar documentary proof, subject to legal review by the Office of the City Attorney.

If you have never filed your domestic partnership, then file a Declaration of Domestic Partnership with LAFPP.

• Learn HOW TO: File a Domestic Partnership with the Plan
  • Declaration of Domestic Partnership
• Learn HOW TO: Terminate a Domestic Partnership Filed with the Plan
  • Notice of Termination of Domestic Partnership

Should you die before you submit proof establishing your domestic partnership with any agency/department other than LAFPP, your domestic partner must submit documentation to be eligible for survivor benefits. Submit your documentation to us to avoid delays in processing survivor pension benefits.

Submit your documentation to Active Member Services:

• Email: [email protected]
• Fax: (213) 628-7716
• Mail to: 701 E. 3rd Street, #200, Los Angeles, CA 90013

If you and your domestic partner are both LAFPP members, only one member needs to submit documentary proof of the domestic partnership filing. It will be cross-filed and will apply to both of your pension benefits.

A Domestic Partnership filed with LAFPP or anywhere else may supersede the beneficiary designation you have on file with LAFPP. Therefore, it is also very important to notify LAFPP of any domestic partnership termination as soon as possible.