Our History

LARFPA was originally founded as the Los Angeles City Pensioners Protective Association. A constitution and by-laws were adopted at a regular meeting of the membership on December 15, 1926. The 1927 officers were:

  • John G. Todd, President
  • Edwin L. Oker, Vice President
  • Kurt Neitzke, Secretary-Treasurer
  • Board Members: Charles B. Casey and Arthur Graham

Dues were established at a $1.00 admission fee and $1.00 annually. At that time, the Association’s total funds were $10,203.50.

Between 1926 and 1963, the Association’s name was changed to the Los Angeles Veteran Firemen and Policemen’s Association.

The Los Angeles Retired Fire and Police Association® (LARFPA) officially came into being during its first meeting of Directors on November 27, 1965, at 2:00 p.m., when a revised code of by-laws was presented and adopted.

Minutes from March 1, 1966 reflect a significant change: annual dues doubled from $1.00 to $2.00, payable in advance, and the Association’s assets had grown to $13,717.04. This information was documented in a Winter 1987 newsletter article written by Secretary Earl Sansing, who served from 1972 to 1990.

The Benevolent Tradition

The Los Angeles Retired Fire and Police Benevolent Association® (LARFPBA) was incorporated in 2007 as a public charity and 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit corporation. Its IRS Form 990 is filed as a Private Foundation.

The Benevolent Association was funded in 2008 through a 501(c)(3) trust originally awarded in 1991 by the Superior Court to LARFPA, a 501(c)(4) mutual benefit membership corporation. The award consisted of the remaining assets of the Los Angeles Fire and Police Retirement Center, a 501(c)(3) corporation founded in 1968 by LARFPA members.

The Retirement Center was dissolved in 1991 after it became financially impractical to construct housing for retirees. However, since 1968, the Retirement Center and subsequent trust have provided temporary financial assistance to retired Los Angeles firefighters and police officers — a mission the Benevolent Association proudly continues today.

Membership

Membership is open to:

  • Retired pensioners of LAPD or LAFD
  • Active sworn personnel eligible for LAFPP retirement
  • Widows, widowers, dependent parents, and dependent children receiving a pension

The purpose of LARFPA is to operate as a non-profit, non-sectarian, non-political social welfare advocacy organization dedicated to protecting the pension rights and supporting the well-being of Los Angeles Fire and Police retirees and their families.

Member Benefits

Members receive:

  • A quarterly newsletter covering pension matters and current events
  • A biennial roster book to reconnect with former partners and colleagues
  • Three events:
    • June Picnic Event
    • September Winery Event
    • December Holiday Celebration
  • General membership meetings in June and September featuring guest speakers
  • Beginning January 1, 2022: reimbursement of up to $600 for estate planning services completed or updated with legal counsel

As of January 2024, dues are $7.00 per month, payable by payroll deduction.

Leadership & Service

The LARFPA Board of Directors serves on a volunteer basis. A full-time office staff supports membership services, and any Director may be reached through the Association office.

Our Commitment

We are dedicated to the welfare and assistance of Los Angeles City Firefighters, Police Officers, their spouses or surviving spouses, dependent parents, and children — honoring the past while protecting the future.