When you retire, LACERA will help you set up a payment method. Your continuing retirement allowance is deposited on the last business day of the month.
LACERA recommends the following electronic payment options for members.
Direct Deposit
The majority of LACERA retirees receive their benefit payments via direct deposit. It is the preferred method for payments and has several important benefits:
- Convenience: No trips to the bank! Your money is electronically deposited directly into your checking or savings account.
- Accessibility: Your funds are available immediately upon deposit.
- Security and Dependability: No lost, stolen, or delayed checks.
Way2Go Prepaid Mastercard
As of November 2025, retirees also have the option of the Way2Go Prepaid Mastercard—a prepaid debit card. While it was developed specially for members without bank accounts, the Way2Go card is available to all members.
With the Way2Go Prepaid Mastercard, your retirement payments are automatically loaded onto your card on the last business day of every month, giving you immediate access to funds and making it more secure than mailed checks.
The Way2Go Prepaid Mastercard has no maintenance fees (no monthly fees or minimum balance); offers free in-network withdrawals and low out-of-network fees; can be used anywhere that accepts Mastercard, and is easy to manage online.
The Way2Go Prepaid Mastercard option is part of a pilot program authorized by the California State Legislature. LACERA is authorized to pay benefits through the program concluding with the December 2027 payment and will seek a permanent extension if the program is successful.
Signing Up Is Easy
If you are currently receiving a physical check and want to enroll in electronic payments, or if you want to change between payment methods, here’s how:
- Sign up via My LACERA (recommended). Log in to your My LACERA account and click on the Manage Payment Methods option on your dashboard, then follow the prompts to select and set up your new payment method.
- Complete the form and submit. Download and print the Direct Deposit form or Way2Go form and provide your completed form to LACERA, via one of the methods below. You can also order a form to be mailed to you from our Forms and Publications page. It is available under Manage Your Retirement Payments.
- Upload on My LACERA: Log in and select uploads from the blue navigation bar.
- Mail to LACERA:
P.O. Box 7060
Pasadena, CA 91109-7060 - Drop off: You can securely submit your form in our drop-off mailbox, located outside our Member Service Center (MSC). Remember, we do not accept walk-ins at the MSC for submitting documents; you must have an appointment to visit the MSC.
- Call LACERA at 800-786-6464. After verifying your identity, LACERA will help you enroll. For direct deposit, be ready to provide your account number and bank routing number. Only U.S. bank accounts are eligible.
Direct deposit transition: Your payments will begin that same month for forms received by the 13th of the month (or the last business day before the 13th if it falls on a weekend or holiday). If you enroll after the 13th, your retirement allowance will be by your normal payment method that month, and your direct deposit will start on the last business day of the following month.
Way2Go Prepaid Mastercard transition: Your payments will begin that same month for forms received by the 15th of the month (or the last prior business day if the 15th falls on a weekend or holiday). If you enroll after the 15th of the month, your retirement allowance will be made via your existing payment method for that month, and your debit card payments will start on the last business day of the following month.
Automatic Deposit Receipts
Way2Go Prepaid Mastercard holders also receive a separate deposit receipt summary from the card provider, available at www.GoProgram.com.
How to Read Your ADR
Didn’t receive your ADR? Notify us if you would like us to send you a duplicate, or log in to My LACERA to view it.