The LAPD and Stress Pensions

Disability pensions awarded by the city to Los Angeles Police Department officers have increased steadily over the last decade. A contributing factor has been a marked increase in pensions awarded to officers citing stress, a trend that police in other jurisdictions in California and the nation say is less prevalent than in Los Angeles.

THE TYPICAL RECIPIENT A study by the City Administrative Office of 34 officers who received stress pensions in 1981-82 describes the average LAPD stress recipient as 36 years old with 11 years of service. Typically, the officer received about 50% of his yearly salary--tax free--as a pension.

The CAO said that reasons cited by officers who apply for stress pensions included:

The perception of a reduced level of public support for the police.

An increase in frustration and dissatisfaction with the criminal justice system.

Scandals involving police officers that have shaken the public support for police.

Job pressures resulting from reduced staffing levels.

Budget cuts that have resulted in an aging fleet of police vehicles.

Frustration over department policies perceived to be unncessarily punitive or lacking in common sense.

Disciplinary action brought against police officers.

Fatigue and frustration that resulted in an unwillingness to perform regular duties.

The CAO, noting that similar complaints existed long before officers began filing for stress pensions, said that “it is not conclusive that any of these factors is the cause of the increase in psychologically related disability pensions.”

THE COST OF STRESS PENSIONS The typical 1981 stress pensioner was awarded lifetime, yearly benefits of $15,499 tax-free.

Together, all the stress pensions granted in 1981-82 were expected to amount to $63 million over the lifetimes of the pensioners, including anticipated cost-of-living increases.

City Pension Department officials estimate that officers who win stress pensions today will each receive $823,824 in current dollars during their lifetimes if they live to the age of 72--and $2,725,962 if anticipated cost-of-living increases are included.

For every dollar the city pays out in salaries to police and firefighters, the city contributes an additional 58 cents to the pension system and the individual worker contributes 7 cents.

The Los Angeles Fire and Police Pension System, with $1.6 billion in assets, is $3.5 billion in debt. The city contributes annually to the fund, this fiscal year giving $220 million.

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