Qualified Spouse – must be legally married to the member at the time of death and meet one of the following requirements:

• For a service-connected death, must be married as of the member’s death; or
• For a nonservice-connected death, must be married to the member at least one year prior to the member’s retirement.

Qualified Domestic Partner – must be registered as a Domestic Partner with LAFPP (or the State of California) and meet one of the following requirements:

• For a service-connected death, must be declared/certified as of the member’s death; or
• For a nonservice-connected death, must be declared/certified at least one year prior to the member’s retirement.

Qualified Minor Child – He/She is the child or adopted child of the member, not married and under the age of 18 (or 22 if in school full time).

Qualified Dependent Child – He/She is the child or adopted child of the member and declared disabled from earning a living prior to age 21. If the disability ends, the pension ceases.

Qualified Dependent Parents -He/She is the natural parent of the member and at least one-half of his/her necessary living expenses have been covered by the member for a least one year prior to the members death. Parent receives the benefit until he/she is able to afford his/her living expenses without the Survivor Pension. 

Qualified Spouse/Domestic Partner have a lifelong pension. Qualified Minor Children will receive the survivor pension until they reach the age of 18 (or 22 if they are full-time students). Qualified Dependent Child will receive the survivor pension until if/when the disability ends. Qualified Dependent Parent will receive a survivor pension until if/when the member’s parent can afford his/her own expenses without the survivor pension.

Benefits for Qualified Children are paid in addition to benefits paid to a Qualified Spouse/Domestic Partner.

1 child – an additional 25% of the Qualified Spouse/Domestic Partner Benefit
2 children – an additional 40% of the Qualified Spouse/Domestic Partner Benefit
3 or more children – an additional 50% of the Qualified Spouse/Domestic Partner benefit​

Note: Total benefit paid to the Qualified Spouse/Domestic Partner and Qualified Children may not exceed 100% of the member’s pension base, plus applicable COLA.

Stepchild(ren) will only qualify as a Qualified Child(ren) if the member adopts the stepchild(ren).