LA Co. Police Officers Assn. v. LA Co. Employees Retirement Assn.
The Los Angeles County Employees Retirement Association (LACERA) is an independent governmental entity providing retirement, disability and death benefits to eligible Los Angeles County employees based on the members contributions to the retirement system pursuant to the County Employees Retirement Law of 1937 (CERL, Gov. Code, 31450). This appeal focuses on CERLs distinction between safety members and general members, with the former making larger contributions to LACERA and receiving more generous retirement benefits than the latter. Two retired County police officers challenged LACERAs decision that they are general members and sought reclassification as safety members. Their request was denied, as was their subsequent demand for a hearing. The officers then sued LACERA, challenging the system as discriminatory (because Los Angeles County Sheriffs deputies are paid more than the Countys police officers) and claiming they have a right to a hearing. The trial court sustained LACERAs demurrer without leave to amend. Court agree with the trial court that the classification of LACERAs members is a matter for the Legislature, that (on the merits and by the bar of collateral estoppel) LACERA has no jurisdiction to reclassify a general member as a safety member, that no purpose would be served by a hearing, and that litigation of the discrimination claims is barred as a matter of law. Court affirm.
Comments on LA Co. Police Officers Assn. v. LA Co. Employees Retirement Assn.