LDF Benefit Plan V: Retiree Coverage
CHRIS COULTER
National Retiree Coordinator
PORAC LDF
We have all heard that change is inevitable, change is scary and change for the sake of change is a bad idea. But change is also what keeps things fresh, exciting and new. As members of the oldest, largest and most respected legal defense plan in the United States — the PORAC Legal Defense Fund (LDF) — we all benefit from the decisions of our past leaders to make the necessary changes to keep LDF secure and solvent for all of our needs.
Secondarily, LDF has always supported maintaining association membership in a strong and cohesive manner. LDF’s efforts have helped build our unions into collective bargaining powerhouses, ensuring more and greater benefits for our members.
When a member retires, there is a fundamental change that happens and, as Bryan Tehnet wrote about in a recent RAM article, we move into a different place with different priorities. But we mustn’t forget our friends who are still working and the unions that got us to where we are today as happy and secure retirees.
Today, we announce that LDF is going to be making some changes that will carry our Legal Defense Plan, the PORAC Retired Associate Membership (RAM) program and our associations, unions and guilds into the future with benefits for everyone. One of those changes is the creation of a National Retiree Coordinator position, to promote LDF’s Benefit Plan V retiree coverage and serve its Plan V current and prospective retired members.
Who I Am
Before I get into the details of the changes, please allow me the opportunity to introduce myself. My name is Chris Coulter. In 1991, I was hired as a police officer with the City of San Bernardino and worked there for three years before lateraling over to the City of Simi Valley, where I worked from 1994 to 2020. During my time with Simi Valley, I served on the POA board for several years and was president of the association for two terms. In 2013, I was elected as the PORAC Region III LDF trustee and, in 2015, I became the vice chairman of LDF. I served with the Simi Valley Police Department and PORAC until my retirement in 2020. I have since moved with my family to a small town on the Gulf Coast, where I have enjoyed my retirement, working in my garage and riding motorcycles from the Blue Ridge Mountains to the Plains and back home along the Gulf. Retirement is amazing and I highly recommend it to everyone as soon as they can make it happen. But, as much as I love retirement and riding motorcycles, I feel that I still have more to give to my fellow retirees, the current and active officers still working the streets, and the associations serviced by PORAC LDF. I have returned to LDF to serve as its first National Retiree Coordinator.
What Is Changing
Beginning today, any and all questions or concerns related to the LDF Retiree Plan (Benefit Plan V) will be directed to me. As part of my new position, I will be empowered to speak on behalf of LDF. I can answer your questions about the Plan, coverage and membership. If you are a member of Plan V, I am your point of contact and will strive to get you the answers you need in a timely manner.
I am thankful for the faith placed in me by the LDF trustees and the administrator’s office, and very grateful for the opportunity to unify the progression of officers from the active duty rolls to membership in LDF Retiree Benefit Plan V.
What Isn’t Changing
You will still have the same phone number to call for an immediate critical incident response. You will continue to receive the same high-quality legal representation that has been protecting you against criminal prosecution or civil litigation for decades. You have no monetary caps on benefits and will have access to our network of experts in the fields of forensics, use of force, tactics and firearms, combined with the security of a fund with over $54 million in assets available for benefits and the strength of more than 141,000 participating members in all 50 states and four U.S. territories. LDF has your back when you most need it, and that will never change.
I can be contacted via email at ccoulter@poracldf.org or by phone at (209) 299-6018. I look forward to hearing from y’all.