PPOA Retiree Representative
LASD retired
jschallert@ppoa.com
This year’s LASD Retiree Roundup was great. Kudos once again to Moon Mullen and the team for setting it up. The PPOA Cigar Night had a little hiccup with the high wind warning, so we were forced inside to what turned out to be a pretty cool nightclub area. The private barstool and a candle area for the late Don Laughlin was roped off, and that was really interesting to note. Thanks to all who attended the PPOA Cigar Night. It was a bit smokier for sure, so those of you trying to hide cigar smoke on your clothes from your significant other likely lost out on that attempt.
In other news, we got our COLA from LACERA and we are officially doing better than the numbers the County has given the active employees. It is truly sad that our Department sits by and watches other agencies get double-digit raises over the past couple of years. There is very little understanding these days by the Board of Supervisors as to how important law enforcement is, how tough it is to fill the jobs, the competition between agencies and how hard the job is. I have been in the union game for decades, and I will say I have never seen the County act like this. It is a shame and they should be embarrassed. If I had a relative with less than a year or so on, I would be screaming, “Lateral out!” If I had a relative or friend with more than 25 years on who is over 50, I would be screaming, “Get out!” (And I do, and they are.)
For the past couple of years, PPOA has been coordinating retirement planning workshops for those getting close to retiring. I host these events every quarter and we fill the room with those within five to seven years of retirement. We bring in Horizons, LACERA, workers’ comp attorneys, Fraternal Order of Police (for the post-retirement CCW insurance concerns), estate planners and mental health experts to give guidance on how to navigate the life-changing event that is retirement. It is very well received, and once people understand what our plan is all about, we usually shave some time off how long they think they need to stay. If you have friends who are PPOA members and are not yet retired, make sure they know about this free resource.
I want to remind you all that online voting for PPOA is the new reality. At this point, we only have about 15% of our retired members registered online. Please go to PPOA.com today and click on “Elections/Benefits” and then register. We will need retired members to vote (it’s a matter of when, not if), so please register as soon as possible. There are thousands of years of experience out there we can tap into when retired members vote.
Another thing I want to hit on this month is health care in different states. Just a reminder that LACERA covers medical costs (i.e., Blue Cross) in the different states. However, if the law in your state does not require a service to be covered by medical insurance plans, you may not be covered and can be required to pay out of pocket for the expense. Most times, I hear this come up with routine preventative care procedures. In California, most everything is covered. In states like Idaho, Florida and some others, they may not be. So when you have a procedure denied by the health care, it is not their fault and not LACERA’s fault — it is the laws of the state you live in that need to be changed. And I will say I have noted red states cover fewer things. I hope this clears up some misconceptions.
Until next month, have a great spring, get your colonoscopies and skin cancer checks, watch the sugary drinks, get out and exercise, and enjoy every day of retirement.