Should Los Angeles' park rangers, port police and other peace officers be able to move their pensions over to the Los Angeles Fire and Police Pension plan?

A proposed  Los Angeles city charter amendment that would allow certain peace officers — like those who work at LAX — and park rangers to transfer their pension plans to one some say will provide better benefits is on the November ballot for voters to consider.

If passed, Measure FF would allow officers from the Police, Airport, Harbor and Recreation & Parks departments to move their plans from the Los Angeles’ City Employees’ Retirement System to the Los Angeles Fire and Police Pension. Supporters say the latter could offer more for retirement income if employees stay on it for more than 20 years.

The measure needs a simple majority to pass.

Official ballot title: Los Angeles Fire and Police Pensions; Peace Officers Charter Amendment FF

How it would work

If approved, the charter amendment would give about 460 Police, Airport, Harbor, and Recreation and Parks department employees the option to transfer their pensions over to the Los Angeles Fire and Police Pension plan, according to the city’s administrative officer. They would be given a time period, most likely in January, when they could elect to transfer their pension plan.

Marshall McClain, president of the Los Angeles Airport Peace Officers Association, the union that took the lead on placing this measure on the ballot, said it’s about “parity.” He explained that the change would allow more city employees to move from the plan primarily for civilian workers to one from which other sworn officers benefit.

For example, employees under the civilian pension plan who need to retire because of a disability, are eligible for 33.3% of their highest salary, while personnel on the sworn officers pension would be eligible for 30-90% tax free.

The history behind it

Changes in law have allowed people working in jobs like port security and park rangers to become sworn peace officers. But they could not simply switch from the city’s civilian pension plan to the sworn officer pension plan, said Sharon Tso, L.A.’s chief legislative analyst. For that to happen, voters have to approve it.

Who supports it:

• Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass
• L.A. Councilmember Bob Blumenfield
• L.A. Councilmember John Lee
• L.A. Councilmember Paul Krekorian
• L.A. Chief Park Ranger Joe Losorelli

A draft of the argument in favor of Measure FF, notes that it would would give all city peace officers the opportunity to be covered by the same pension plan no matter what department they work for. “All of these peace officers must meet the same training and licensing requirements, perform similar functions, and face similar risks,” the argument reads. “They should be eligible for the same benefits.”

What people who oppose it say

No information was immediately available on any opponents.

Potential financial impact

The charter amendment would have an estimated one-time cost of $109,500,000, with an estimated annual cost of $6.3 million, according to the city administrative officer: The Airport Revenue Fund, and Harbor Revenue Fund will pay the majority of those costs. The city’s General Fund will pay a roughly $23 million one-time payment and approximately $1 million annually.

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This voter guide originally published Oct. 4.