PPOA President
Lieutenant, LASD
nescobedo@ppoa.com
When I was a young deputy sheriff, I didn’t think much about retirement. But as time passed, I realized how important it is to prepare for it. One of the things on my “to-do list” is to schedule an appointment with LACERA to ensure a smooth transition into the next chapter of my life. After committing 26 years to LASD, planning for when it’s time to hang up my badge, like many of you, will be essential.
One thing that often comes up when discussing retirement with fellow PPOA members is the issue of financial security. While law enforcement officers are usually eligible for pensions, it’s important to have additional savings and investments to ensure a comfortable retirement. Another consideration is health care. As we age, health care costs tend to increase, so it’s important to have a comprehensive plan covering medical expenses in retirement. Many law enforcement agencies offer retiree health benefits, but these can vary widely and may require additional out-of-pocket expenses.
In addition to financial and health care considerations, we need to plan how to spend our time in retirement. Some choose to travel, while others focus on hobbies or volunteering. Maintaining social connections and staying active to manage physical and mental health is also essential. In April, I was honored to attend the Retiree Roundup in Laughlin. It was great to see all the happy attendees, and many of them told me their only regret was not retiring sooner. For those of you who are retiring soon, I hope to see you at Retiree Roundup in 2024.
I also had the privilege of attending the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) 66th Biennial Conference last month. As the world’s largest organization of law enforcement officers, the FOP serves as a valuable resource for both active and retired PPOA members. For more information, see page 20 or visit FOP.net.
Speaking of valuable resources, I am excited to announce that PPOA will host a Retirement Workshop on October 28. This workshop is open to all active PPOA members. It will feature expert speakers who will provide valuable retirement information and be available to answer any attendees’ questions. Please see page 24 for more details.