Louisiana State Employees’ Retirement System
Member’s Guide
as of July 2019
to Retirement
Photo by Robin Stevens (Please see pages 100-101)
Table of Contents
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Welcome to LASERS
General Membership
LASERS Website
Service Credit
Refund of Contributions
Purchases of Service Credit
Transfers and Reciprocals From Other Retirement Systems
Retirement Eligibility and Final Average Compensation
Unused Annual and Sick Leave
Retirement Options and the Self-Funded COLA
Estimates
Regular Retirement
Initial Benet Option (IBO)
Deferred Retirement Option Plan (DROP)
DROP/IBO Account Withdrawals and the Self-Directed Plan
Disability Retirement
Survivor Benets for Regular Members Hired Prior to January 1, 2011
Survivor Benets for Regular Members Hired on or After January 1, 2011
Re-employed Retirees
Community Property and Divorce
Cost of Living Increases
Medicare, Social Security Osets, and Insurance
Hazardous Duty Services Plan (HAZ PLAN)
Transition to Hazardous Duty Services Plan (HAZ PLAN)
Bridge Police Hired Prior to January 1, 2011
Correctional Ocers Hired Prior to January 1, 2011
Peace Ocers Hired Prior to January 1, 2011
Alcohol and Tobacco Agents Hired Prior to January 1, 2011
Wildlife Agents Hired Prior to January 1, 2011
Legislative Plan Hired Prior to January 1, 2011
Judges and Court Ocers Prior to January 1, 2011
Judges Elected on or After January 1, 2011
Appellate Law Clerks Hired Prior to January 1, 2011
Your Rights and Duties as a LASERS Member
Photo Credits
Photos provided by LASERS members and beneciaries.
Originals may have been altered for design purposes.
Photos from top to Bottom
(10) Mark Fradella
(4) Robin Stevens
(3) Robin Stevens
(Please see pages 100-101)
4
The Louisiana State Employees’ Retirement
System (LASERS) was established by an
Act of the Louisiana Legislature in 1946.
LASERS administers a qualied pension and
retirement plan under section 401(a) of the
Internal Revenue Code. LASERS is a trust
fund created to provide retirement and other
benets for state ocers, employees, and
their beneciaries.
The LASERS Board of Trustees governs your
retirement system. The Board is composed
of 13 members, nine of whom are elected
by the membership. Six of the elected
Trustees are chosen by active members of
LASERS. Three of the elected Trustees are
chosen by retirees. Four ex ocio seats are
occupied by the Louisiana State Treasurer,
the Chair of the Louisiana Senate Committee
on Retirement, a member of the Louisiana
House of Representatives Committee on
Retirement appointed by the Speaker
of the House, and the Commissioner of
Administration. Monthly Board meetings
are open to the public, and take place in the
fourth oor board room of the Louisiana
Retirement Systems Building, located at
8401 United Plaza Boulevard, in Baton
Rouge.
The LASERS trust fund is the source of all
benets paid to LASERS members and their
beneciaries. Funding comes from three
sources:
• Employee contributions
• Employer contributions
• Earnings from investments
LASERS manages one-third of its
investments portfolio internally, saving
millions of dollars per year in professional
management fees.
Welcome to LASERS
The LASERS Mission:
To provide a sound retirement plan for our members
through prudent management and exceptional service.
This Member’s Guide to Retirement is intended to summarize provisions of law. It does not purport to
fully state the law. If any conict arises between this guide and the law, the law controls.
Revised August 2016
(1) Photo by Robin Stevens (Please see pages 100-101)
5
Membership
(La. R.S. 11:441 and )
Membership in LASERS is mandatory for all
state employees whose employing agencies are
LASERS participants, except those exempted by
state law.
Examples of excluded employees include:
• Employees who receive a per
diem allowance instead of earned
compensation
• Students, interns, and resident
physicians employed for temporary, part
time, or periodic work
• Independent contractors
• Certain pool positions
• Certain temporary seasonal employees at
the Department of Revenue
The following employees are excluded if they
have less than ten years of service credit:
• Job appointments (employment for a xed
period not to exceed two years)
• Intermittent employees (employment for an
indenite schedule, on an as needed basis)
• Part-time employees (employees who work
20 hours per week or less)
• Seasonal employees (employees who work
less than ve months in a year)
• Temporary employees (employees
performing services under a contractual
arrangement for less than two years)
General Membership
Membership in
LASERS is mandatory
for all state employees
whose employing
agencies are LASERS
participants, except
those exempted by
state law.
Employees with non-refunded service credit in one of the four state retirement
systems, Louisiana State Employees’ Retirement System, Teachers’ Retirement System
of Louisiana, Louisiana School Employees’ Retirement System, or Louisiana State Police
Retirement System, prior to July 1, 2015, must be enrolled under the provisions of their
prior retirement plan.
If their non-refunded service credit was earned in a state system other than LASERS,
they must submit Form 01-10: Certication of Membership in a State System Prior to
July 1, 2015, to make this election. Otherwise, they will be enrolled pursuant to the
provisions of Act 226 of the 2014 Legislative Session.
(2) Photo by Jeanie Rhea (Please see pages 100-101)
11:413
6
Contribution Rates (La. R.S. 11:62)
Any Regular Member of LASERS whose rst
employment began on or before June 30,
2006, pays a contribution rate of 7.5 percent.
This means that 7.5 percent of your salary is
deducted from each of your paychecks, and
placed in a trust account that is used to pay
benets.
Any Regular Member of LASERS whose rst
employment began on or after July 1, 2006,
pays a contribution rate of 8 percent.
If you were employed on or before June 30,
2006, but terminated state service and refunded
all of your contributions, you will be considered
a newly hired employee if you return to state
service. If employed as a Regular Member, you
will pay a contribution rate of 8 percent.
The employer contribution rate for contributing
agencies is set by the Public Retirement Systems’
Actuarial Committee (PRSAC) and changes
annually. Employer contributions are not
credited to individual member accounts but
are deposited in the LASERS trust account to
help fund the dened benets payable to all
members and their beneciaries.
Please note that the contribution rates listed
above are for Regular Members only.
The contribution rates for specialty classes are
discussed in separate chapters of this handbook.
All contribution rates are subject to change.
Optional Retirement Plan (ORP)
(La. R.S. 11:502, et seq.)
The Optional Retirement Plan (ORP) is a dened
contribution plan established in July 2000 to
provide retirement and death benets to eligible
participants, while aording portability of these
benets. Eligible members with an eective
hire date between July 1, 2004, and December
7, 2007, were required to make an election to
enroll in the ORP by ling an application with
LASERS within 60 days of their appointment.
No person appointed to an otherwise eligible
position after December 7, 2007, is eligible to
enroll in ORP. If an ORP member subsequently
becomes employed by a LASERS reporting
agency in a non-ORP position, they must
continue participation in ORP.
The following employees were eligible to make
an irrevocable election to participate in ORP:
• Any unclassied state
employee who was appointed
by a statewide elected ocial
whose appointment was
subject to conrmation by the
Louisiana Senate
• Any unclassied state
employee who was a
member of the immediate
sta of such employee
described above
• The CEO of the Oce
of State Group Benets
Program
• Members of the Executive
Career Service as dened by the
Civil Service Commission
If you are a member in the ORP,
you may regain membership in the
dened benet plan by transferring
any funds in the ORP to the dened
benet plan. You will be responsible
for paying any deciency after the
transfer of funds. To determine the
cost of joining the dened benet
plan, you should submit Form
15-01A: Application for Transfer to
LASERS Dened Benet Plan from the
Optional Retirement Plan and pay a
non refundable actuarial calculation
fee of $200.00 made payable to
LASERS.
Revised April 2019
7
LASERS Website
The website contains information about the LASERS Board
of Trustees, our investment allocations and experience,
LASERS sta, recent legislation, forms, and much more.
Active Members are allowed to access
the following information:
• Personal information
• Phone/Email updates
• Account summary
• Account history
• Recent requests
• Create benet estimate
• Create repay refund estimate
• Annual statements
• Tax documents
• Request an appointment
Retired members are allowed to access
the following information
• Personal information
• Address updates
• Phone/Email updates
• Account summary
• Payment history
• Account history
• View tax documents
• Tax withholding updates
• Income verication
• DROP/IBO activity report
Please visit the LASERS website,
www.lasersonline.org, for valuable
information about your retirement system.
The website contains information about the
LASERS Board of Trustees, our investment
allocations and experience, LASERS sta,
recent legislation, forms, and much more.
Also, you may subscribe to the Member
Connection to receive updates on current
events.
In addition to the general information on the
website, active members and retirees can
use the site to securely access their LASERS
records as described below:
Self-Service
Once at the LASERS website, select Login:
Member. On your rst visit, you will be asked
to create a Username and Password, enter
your email address, Social Security number,
Date of Birth, and Zip Code. You will also
answer a Security question to be used in the
event you forget your password in the future.
The Benet Estimates and rst eligible
date for retirement generated are not
guaranteed. They are estimated based
on information currently available to
LASERS. The actual pension benet that
you are entitled to as a member of LASERS
is determined by applicable laws as well
as nalized service credit, earnings, and
leave balances at the time you retire.
(3) Photo by Robin Stevens (Please see pages 100-101)
8
Revised August 2013
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9
Service Credit
(La. R.S. 11:421)
Once you are enrolled as a member of LASERS,
you will begin paying employee contributions
and accruing service credit. You will be sent an
annual member statement at the beginning of
each calendar year which details the employee
contributions you paid during the previous
year and the total contributions you paid since
your enrollment. This statement also contains
the service credit that you earned during the
previous year along with your total service
credit.
Eligibility service credit is the service that will
be used to determine your entitlement for
benets provided by LASERS. Computation
service credit is the service that will be used to
compute the amount of your LASERS benet.
Depending on your situation, your eligibility
service credit may be dierent from your
computation service credit.
The annual member statements are
unaudited. You should review your annual
member statement each year and notify your
HR Oce in writing if any discrepancies are
found.
Full-Time Employees
If you are a full-time employee, your service
credit is calculated by taking your actual
earnings for a year and dividing by your yearly
base salary which is your annual expected
salary. This gure is then rounded up to the
nearest tenth. A member cannot receive more
than one year of service credit for any calendar
year.
Part-Time Employees
If you are a part-time employee, your service
credit is calculated by taking your actual
earnings for a year and dividing by the yearly
base that you would have received as a full-
time employee. You will not earn an entire year
of computation credit, but you may earn a year
of eligibility credit if you worked part time for
at least 11 months during that calendar year.
Sue worked full time in 2016. She earned $37,273.06. Her annual expected salary was
$37,355.00. Her service credit for 2026 would be calculated in the following manner:
$37,273.06
Actual
earnings
$37,355.00
full-time
yearly base
salary
/ .998 (rounded up to one year)=
(4) Photo by Robin Stevens (Please see pages 100-101)
10
Service credit and retirement eligibility for
part-time members are determined on a
case-by-case basis.
First Eligible Dates
If you are a full-time member, you can
estimate your service credit for a partial
year and your rst eligible date for
retirement by using the chart below. If
you work from January 1 through the
dates listed below, you will be given
the corresponding service credit. Your
termination date is the last day of your
employment. These estimated rst eligible
dates are subject to change based on
when contributions are made from your
agency.
Revised January 2017
Since Amy worked the full year in 2016 as a part-time employee she will get one year of
eligibility credit, but only .80 of a year computation credit.
$33,587.84
Actual
earnings
$45,760.00
full-time
yearly base
salary
/ .734 (rounded up to .80)=
Amy worked part time in 2016 and was paid $22.00 per hour. She earned $33,587.84. Her annual
expected salary if she had worked full time was $45,760.00. Her computation service credit for
2008 would be calculated in the following manner:
Jane is 53 years old and had 29.80 years of service credit at the end of 2010. She will be rst
eligible to retire with 30 years of service, so she needs .20 of a year of service credit. Using the
chart above, we nd that her tentative rst eligible date for retirement is February 15, 2011.
Termination Date Retirement/DROP Start Date Service Credit
January 1* January 2 .10
February 14 February 15 .20
March 31 April 1 .30
April 30 May 1 .40
May 31 June 1 .50
July 14 July 15 .60
August 14 August 15 .70
September 29 September 30 .80
October 29 October 30 .90
November 30 December 1 1 year
* Assuming contributions are reported for this day
11
Refund of Contributions
(La. R.S. 11:537)
Persons who leave state service may, under
certain circumstances, be eligible for a refund of
their accumulated contributions in the retirement
system. Accumulated contributions include
all employee contributions paid by a member,
excluding interest paid on the repayment of a
refund. All funds paid to purchase Air Time are
considered “accumulated contributions” and will
be included in the refund. If you have terminated
from state service and would like to apply for a
refund, please complete Form 0201: Refund of
Accumulated Contributions found on the LASERS
website.
Once the completed form is received, receipt will
be conrmed, and you will be notied by mail if
any additional information is required. LASERS
will issue your refund only after all required
documents have been received, and all of your
contributions have been processed. Most refunds
are paid within 60 days. It is not necessary to
contact LASERS regarding the status of your
refund.
Refunds of contributions automatically cancel all
service credit in LASERS. In other words, a refund
cancels your membership in the retirement
system, and renders you ineligible for benets.
The refund will only be of your contributions,
not your employer’s contributions, and will not
include interest.
If you have received a refund of contributions
and return to work in a LASERS-eligible position,
your eligibility for retirement is based on the
date you returned to State service. See Chapter
8, Retirement Eligibility and Final Average
Compensation for furthur information.
The amount of contributions sheltered from
federal income tax (amounts paid after January 1,
1984) are subject to federal taxes when refunded,
unless the sheltered refund amount is rolled over
into another qualied retirement plan (such as
an IRA). If not rolled over, these funds are subject
to a mandatory 20 percent federal withholding
tax. You may also be subject to a 10 percent
federal early withdrawal penalty. LASERS does not
withhold Louisiana taxes on your refund. An IRS
tax notice is attached to each refund application.
You should read this tax notice carefully before
applying for a refund. The tax notice is a summary
and should not be taken as tax advice. LASERS
encourages you to contact a tax consultant to
determine if the provisions are applicable to
your specic situation.
To accept a rollover you must have established
an account at a nancial institution prior to the
refund distribution. Your nancial institution
must complete Section 5 of Form 0201:
Refund of Accumulated Contributions. Your
refund of employee contributions will be direct
deposited into the bank account indicated in
Section 3 of Form 0201: Refund of Accumulated
Contributions.
Your IRS Form 1099-R will be mailed in January
of the following year to your address on le with
LASERS.
Application Process
To apply for a refund, you must submit
the following to LASERS:
• Form 0201: Refund of Accumulated
Contributions
• A copy of your Social Security card
(5) Photo by Theresa Mullins Low (Please see pages 100-101)
12
Revised January 2017
Susan worked from October 30, 1995, to May 1, 1998, left state service, and received a refund of
her contributions on July 5, 1998. Susan returned to state service for more than 18 months, and
is eligible to repay the refund. Interest is calculated through May 15, 2016, when she applied
for the purchase. She may repay the entire amount of the refund or she can make a partial
repayment of the refund. In either instance, the payment to LASERS must be made in a lump
sum. Under no circumstances can the repayment of a refund be made by paying monthly
installments.
Year Service credit Earnings Contributions Interest Total Due
1995 .80 $23,000.00 $1,725.00 $5,285.49 $7,010.49
1996 1.00 $29,500.00 $2,212.50 $6,779.21 $8,991.71
1997 1.00 $31,350.00 $2,351.25 $7,204.35 $9,555.60
1998 .40 $12,800.00 $960.00 $2,941.49 $3,901.49
Susan refunded her contributions, reecting a total of 3.20 years of service credit. If she does
not want to purchase the entire 3.20 years, she can purchase the time on a year-by-year basis
beginning with the last year of employment. Susan would have to pay back the contributions
plus interest from 1998 rst and then she could repay the refund for the prior years (beginning
with 1997).
Application Process
To apply to repay a refund, you must submit the following to LASERS:
• Form 02-11: Application for Repayment of Refunded Service
Repayment of Refunds
(La. R.S. 11:537(D))
In order to repay a refund, you must have
18 months of non-refunded service credit
on record with LASERS. To restore your prior
service credit, you must repay the refunded
amount plus the actuarially assumed rate of
interest compounded annually from the date
of the refund until payment is made. Payment
must be made in a lump sum for any service
restored; however, you are not required to
restore all of your refunded service at once.
You may elect to restore only a portion of the
total refunded service by repaying the service,
as earned, by calendar year.
You may repay a refund at any time prior to
the date of your retirement. The calculation
will be done at no cost to you for up to three
invoices within a 12-month period. However,
each additional invoice is subject to a $75.00
nonrefundable calculation fee. You can also
calculate an estimate of your repayment
amount by using our online calculator located
under the Active Member Self-Service section
of our website at www.lasersonline.org.
LASERS will provide invoices based
on the date of the request. It is highly
recommended that an invoice be requested
several months prior to the date needed.
All purchases must be completed prior to
retiring.
13
Service credit is earned for time that you
worked in a LASERS-eligible position, and
made contributions to the system. In certain
instances you may be able to purchase
additional service credit.
Some examples are:
• Full-time state service was
worked, but no service credit
was received
• Service credit was denied due
to an administrative error
• Service credit was not
received due to leave
without pay
• Furlough time (postsecondary
employees)
• “Air Time” purchase of up to
ve years service credit for
time not worked
• Uniformed Services
Employment and
Re-employment Rights Act
(USERRA)
• Military Service not
under USERRA
• National Guard, Coast Guard,
and Reserve Forces Credit
• Service credit based on time
worked in a federal position
For all purchases of service credit (except
refunded service and military service under
USERRA), you will be required to pay a
nonrefundable actuarial calculation fee. This
fee may be paid by personal check, cashier’s
check, certied check, or money order made
payable to LASERS. The payment should
accompany your application.
After all necessary documents and the
actuarial calculation fee are received, LASERS
will forward the information to our actuary
for calculation (except refunded service and
USERRA). You will then be sent an invoice from
LASERS showing the cost to purchase the
service credit. When you receive the invoice,
you are under no obligation to complete the
purchase. However, if you decide to purchase
the credit, you must submit the payment
by the given deadline. If the invoice expires,
you must reapply, and pay an additional
calculation fee.
All payments for purchases of service must
be made in a lump sum. Payment can be
made by personal check, cashier’s check,
certied check, money order, or rollover from
a qualied plan. In the case of a rollover, Form
02-13: LASERS Acceptance Letter of Rollover of
Assets must be submitted to LASERS. A copy of
your invoice should accompany your payment.
No service credit will be granted until the total
payment is received, which could include
employer contributions.
Purchases of Service Credit
All payments for purchases
of service must be made in
a lump sum. Payment can
be made by personal check,
cashier’s check, certied check,
money order, or rollover from
a qualied plan.
(6) Photo by Robin Stevens (Please see pages 100-101)
14
You may not purchase credit for any period for
which you already have LASERS service credit,
and no more than one year of LASERS credit may
be obtained for any one calendar or scal year.
You should apply to purchase any service
credit at least six months in advance of
applying for retirement.
Purchasing Full-Time State Service
(La. R.S. 11:422)
You may purchase full-time service for which
you have not received credit provided that
your previous or current employer is a LASERS
agency, and the service was LASERS eligible.
The employer must provide certication of state
service dates and salary information. You must
pay the greater of:
• The employee contributions and employer
contributions plus interest, or
• The actuarial amount which osets the
increased liability to the system resulting
from the service credit being purchased.
LASERS does not allow purchases of service
credit for periods in which per diem allowances
were paid instead of earned compensation
(excluding legislative service). The law also
excludes purchases of service for the following:
• Contractual employees
• Employment as a patient or inmate
• Student employment, medical interns, or
resident physicians
• Employment as a teacher in a state
educational institution
• Employment while a member of any other
retirement system established by state law
• Employment with any state agency or
governing body whose employees are not
contributing members of LASERS
• Part-time, seasonal, and temporary
employment after July 1, 1991
Purchasing Credit Denied Due to
Administrative Error (La. R.S. 11:423)
You may purchase credit for state service if you
were employed in a position in which LASERS
membership was mandatory, but you were not
enrolled due to an administrative error made
by the employing agency. In some instances
purchases of this credit may be mandatory.
In order to purchase this credit you must pay
the employee portion of the contributions
that should have been paid plus interest. Your
employing agency, or its successor, where such
credit was denied, must pay LASERS the greater
of:
• The current rate of employer contributions
plus interest that should have been paid
for the service credit, or
• The actuarial cost of additional benets
payable as a result of the service credit,
less the employee contributions plus
interest.
In order to purchase this credit,
you must submit to LASERS:
• Form 02-05: Certication for
Purchase of In-State Service
• The appropriate nonrefundable
actuarial calculation fee made
payable to LASERS
15
In order to purchase this credit, the
agency must submit to LASERS:
• Administrative error letter
including the dates of
employment during which the
error occurred, and a monthly
breakdown of your base pay,
actual earnings, employee
contributions, and employer
contributions for the period in
question
• The appropriate
nonrefundable actuarial
calculation fee made payable
to LASERS
Purchasing Credit for Furlough/
Leave Without Pay (LWOP)
(La. R.S. 11:163(B))
If you are a LASERS member who is
involuntarily furloughed, placed on leave
without pay, or who voluntarily takes leave
without pay, you are entitled to purchase
service credit for each day that you were
on leave without pay, provided there is
no duplication of service credit resulting
from the purchase. This service credit can
be purchased once the furlough/LWOP is
complete. This service credit shall be used for
the calculation of benets and for eligibility
for retirement, but not salary credit. You must
pay into the system the greater of:
• The employee contributions and
employer contributions plus interest, or
• The actuarial amount which totally
osets the increased liability to the
system resulting from the service credit
being purchased.
In order to purchase this credit, you
must submit to LASERS:
• Form 02-10: Application for
Purchase of Leave
• The appropriate
nonrefundable actuarial
calculation fee made payable
to LASERS
Receiving Credit for Furlough Time
(La. R.S. 11:163.1)
If you are a LASERS member employed
at a public college or university or by the
governing board or management board
of a public college or university who is
furloughed, you may be entitled to continue
contributions for the period of such furlough.
This service credit shall be used for the
calculation of benets and for eligibility
for retirement. You may not contribute on
more than 30 days of furlough time in any
scal year. You must continue to make your
employee contributions. Your employing
agency will submit your contributions along
with the employer contributions to LASERS.
The earned compensation will be taken into
account when determining your average
compensation for retirement.
In order to receive credit, you must
submit to LASERS:
• Form 02-17: Postsecondary
Employee Furloughs
16
“Air Time” Purchase
(La. R.S. 11:429(B))
If you have at least ve years of service
credit in LASERS, you may purchase up to
ve years of additional service credit, or Air
Time, in one-year increments. The Internal
Revenue Code prohibits purchasing more
than ve years of time not actually worked.
An Air Time purchase can be used to increase
your retirement benets, or to change your
retirement eligibility. You must pay the
system the greater of the actuarial cost to
the system or the employee contributions for
each additional year of service credit being
obtained based on the greater of your current
salary or your nal average compensation.
If you previously purchased Air Time for
computation of benets only, you may
upgrade that purchase to also use the Air
Time for retirement eligibility by paying the
necessary cost.
Important Note about Health Insurance:
If you purchase Air Time for retirement
eligibility after July 1, 2011, and use that time
to retire earlier than you would otherwise be
eligible, you must pay the increase in your
employer’s share of your health insurance
premium until you reach the age at which
you would have reached regular retirement
eligibility. Twenty years at any age is
considered a regular retirement. Therefore,
if you actually worked 20 years, you would
not pay a premium increase. However, 20
year retirement eligibility does not apply to
Corrections Secondary or to members of the
Wildlife Plan hired on or after July 1, 2003.
In order to purchase this credit, you
must submit to LASERS:
• Form 02-07: Application for
Purchase of Service Under La.
R.S. 11:429(B)
• The appropriate
nonrefundable actuarial
calculation fee made payable
to LASERS.
Uniformed Services Employment
and Re-employment Rights Act
(USERRA) (38 U.S.C.A. § 4301 et seq.)
The Federal Law known as USERRA applies to
purchases of service credit for active military
time served after August 1, 1990. While
on military leave, you may elect to remit
contributions to LASERS. If this option is not
exercised, you can elect to purchase the leave
after you have been re-employed for 90 days
after the leave has expired.
The purchase must be made before the
deadline of either the lesser of:
• Three times the years of service served,
or
• Five years after re-employment in a
LASERS eligible position.
Under the provisions of USERRA, any LASERS
member who leaves employment for active
duty in the uniformed services shall be
eligible to purchase such service in the
retirement plan, provided you meet all of the
following criteria:
• You returned to LASERS-covered
employment within 90 days after you
were discharged from your military
duties. NOTE: Any such date of
re-employment must occur on or after
August 1, 1990.
• You did not change LASERS employers
immediately before and after your
military service.
• You received an honorable discharge
for your military service.
17
Under USERRA, you must pay your member
contributions, and your employer must
pay the employer contributions prior to
the purchase deadline. The employer
contributions must be paid within 30 days
after your payment is received. You are eligible
to purchase up to ve years of service under
USERRA. Once the deadline expires, you must
apply to purchase this time under the regular
military provision in accordance with La.
R.S. 11:153, which requires the appropriate
nonrefundable actuarial calculation fee.
In order to purchase credit under
USERRA, you must submit to LASERS:
• Form 02-06: Application for
Purchase of Military Service
• Copy of release or discharge
from active duty (DD214,
verifying dates of service and
honorable discharge)
• Certication of salary
information from your
agency, including a
monthly breakdown of the
base, earnings, employee
contributions, and employer
contributions that would have
been paid to LASERS if you
were not on
military leave
Military Service not under USERRA
(La. R.S. 11:153)
You may purchase up to four years of credit
for active military service. However, credit
for military service cannot be used to meet
eligibility requirements for disability benets
or survivor benets, and shall only be used for
purposes of acquiring eligibility for normal
retirement benets. In addition, such military
service credit shall not be used to meet the
minimum eligibility requirement of any
retirement of 20 years or less.
Eective July 1, 2001, any member who
receives a military retirement benet pursuant
to the provisions of Chapter 1223 of Title 10
of the United States Code, shall be eligible
to purchase credit for military service. Any
such service purchase may be for regular or
non-regular military service provided that the
service being purchased was rendered prior
to the initial date of employment which made
you eligible to participate in LASERS.
You must pay the system an actuarial amount
which totally osets the increased liability to
the system resulting from the service credit
being purchased.
In order to purchase this credit, you
must submit to LASERS:
• Form 02-06: Application for
Purchase of Military Service
• Copy of release or discharge
from active duty (DD214,
verifying dates of service and
honorable discharge)
• The appropriate nonrefundable
actuarial calculation fee made
payable to LASERS
18
National Guard, Coast Guard, and
Reserve Forces Credit (La. R.S. 11:153)
You may purchase retirement credit for time
served with the National Guard, Coast Guard, and
reserve forces. To purchase this service, you must
pay the actuarially calculated cost, unless the
time qualies under USERRA. You must submit
an ocial copy of your retirement points as
maintained by your respective military branch.
You may purchase one day of retirement credit
for each point, not to exceed a total of four years.
This service can only be purchased provided you
do not have a full year of service credit in LASERS
for the scal or calendar year that you served. You
must pay the system an actuarial amount which
totally osets the increased liability to the system
resulting from the service credit being purchased.
In order to purchase this credit, you must
submit to LASERS:
• Form 02-06: Application for
Purchase of Military Service
• Ocial copy of your retirement
points from your respective
military branch
• Copy of release or discharge from
active duty (DD214, verifying
dates of service and honorable
discharge)
• The appropriate
nonrefundable
actuarial calculation fee made
payable to LASERS
Federal Service (La. R.S. 11:428)
You may purchase service credit for any period of
time you worked and contributed to a retirement
plan for federal employees. You must have been
an active contributing member of LASERS for at
least one year to make such a purchase. You must
pay into the system the
greater of:
• The employee contributions and employer
contributions plus interest, or
• The actuarial amount which totally osets
the increased liability to the system
resulting from the service credit being
purchased.
The amount must be paid in a lump sum and may
be through a direct rollover. You must forfeit your
credit in the federal system upon making this
purchase.
In order to purchase this credit, you must
submit to LASERS:
• Form 02-20: Application for
Purchase of Certain Federal
Service
• The appropriate
nonrefundable
actuarial calculation fee made
payable to LASERS
Revised February 2019
19
Transfers and Reciprocals
From Other Retirement Systems
If you have service credit in more than one
state, municipal, or parochial retirement system
in Louisiana, you may apply for a reciprocal
recognition or an actuarial transfer of service
credit. All transfers, upgrades, and reciprocals
must be completed prior to your retirement date.
A list of retirement systems eligible for transfers,
reciprocals, and upgrades is located at the end of
this chapter.
Reciprocal Recognition
(La. R.S. 11:142)
A reciprocal agreement is the recognition of
your service credit in one Louisiana retirement
system by another Louisiana retirement system.
To be eligible for retirement, you must meet the
highest age and years of service requirement of
each system for which you hold membership. At
the time of retirement, you will receive benets
from both retirement systems. If you retire with a
reciprocal agreement and return to active service
in any state, municipal, or parochial system, you
must notify the systems from which you are
receiving benets so that the benets can be
stopped to avoid overpayments.
To apply for a reciprocal recognition of
service, you must submit to LASERS:
• Form 02-03: Application for
Reciprocal Recognition of Service
Actuarial Transfer and/or Upgrade
(La. R.S. 11:143)
An actuarial transfer of service is the transfer
from one Louisiana retirement system to another
of your service credit, accumulated employee
and employer contributions, and interest. A
transfer of service into LASERS will allow you
to receive benets from LASERS for all service.
Service credit transferred on or after June 30,
2013, may be upgraded if a higher accrual rate is
currently earned at LASERS. The system actuary
will determine the cost to upgrade the service.
You must be employed in a LASERS eligible
position for at least six months before you can
apply for a transfer and/or upgrade.
Transfers and upgrades of service credit must
be completed prior to the member’s retirement;
however, transfers and upgrades of service
credit may be completed before, during, or after
participation in DROP. If a member transfers and/
or upgrades service credit while participating
in DROP or while working after DROP, then the
transferred and/or upgraded service credit will
only count toward the supplemental portion of
the member’s benet. If a member is completing
a transfer of service credit into LASERS to be
eligible to retire or enter DROP, then retirement
or DROP participation will not be eective until
all funds have been received by LASERS and the
transfer has been completed.
To apply for an actuarial transfer, you
must submit to LASERS:
• Form 02-04: Application for
Transfer and/or Upgrade of
Creditable Service
• A nonrefundable actuarial
calculation fee made payable
to LASERS. The fee is $150.00 or
$200.00 depending on the calcu-
lation requested.
20
Restoring Refunded Service Credit to
Transfer/Reciprocate (La. R.S. 11:144)
If you are currently a member of another Louisiana
state retirement system with at least six months
of service credit, you may repay a prior refund
from LASERS for the purpose of either actuarially
transferring or reciprocating this service credit.
In order to restore the refunded service
credit, you must submit to LASERS:
• Form 02-12: Application for
Repayment of Refunded Service to
Reciprocate/Transfer
You will receive an invoice for the cost to restore
the service. You must contact your current
Louisiana retirement system to apply for either
an actuarial transfer or a reciprocal recognition of
this service. Please see the chapter on Refunds for
additional information.
Systems Eligible for a Transfer,
Reciprocal, or Upgrade
• Teachers’ Retirement System of Louisiana
• Louisiana State Police Retirement System
• Louisiana School Employees Retirement
System
• Retirement systems for: Assessors, Clerks of
Court, District Attorneys, Registrars of Voters,
and Sheris
• Municipal Employees’ Retirement System
• Parochial Employees’ Retirement System
• Fireghters’ Retirement System
• Retirement systems for the cities/parishes
of: Alexandria, Baton Rouge, Bogalusa,
Jeerson, New Orleans, and Shreveport
• Municipal Police Employees’ Retirement
System
• Fireghters Pension and Relief Fund in the
City of New Orleans
• Employees’ Retirement System of the Sewer-
age and Water Board in New Orleans
Revised March 2019
(7) Photo by Carol Roberts (Please see pages 100-101)
21
Retirement benets are paid monthly and
are guaranteed for your lifetime. Benets are
funded by employee contributions, employer
contributions, and earnings from investments. To
apply for retirement, a member must meet the
eligibility requirements as described below.
Retirement Eligibility (La. R.S. 11:441)
If you are a Regular Member of LASERS, and were
hired on or before June 30, 2006, you become
eligible for retirement upon reaching one of the
criteria below:
NOTE: Your LASERS Member Annual Account
Statement will identify you as a “Regular Member,”
and you will have these retirement eligibilities.
• 30 years of service at any age
• 25 years of service at age 55
• 10 years of service at age 60
• 20 years of service at any age, actuarially
reduced (Deferred Retirement Option Plan
[DROP] participation and retirement with an
Initial Benet Option [IBO] are not available
to members who choose this option). The
actuarial reduction is based on the number
of months you are away from eligibility for
an unreduced retirement. This reduction can
be aected depending on whether you are
in state service or out of state service at the
time of your retirement.
If you are a Regular Member of LASERS hired on or
after July 1, 2006, and on or before June 30, 2015,
you become eligible for retirement upon reaching
one of the criteria below:
NOTE: Depending on your date of hire, your
LASERS Annual Account Statement will identify
you as “Regular Employee 2” or “Regular Employee
3,” and you will have these retirement eligibilities.
• 5 years of service at age 60
• 20 years of service at any age, actuarially
reduced (Deferred Retirement Option Plan
[DROP] participation and retirement with an
Initial Benet Option [IBO] are not available
to members who choose this option). The
actuarial reduction is based on the number
of months you are away from eligibility for an
unreduced retirement.
If you are a Regular Member of LASERS hired
on or after July 1, 2015, you become eligible for
retirement upon reaching one of the criteria below:
NOTE: Your LASERS Annual Account Statement
will identify you as “Regular Employee 4” and you
will have these eligibilities.
• 5 years of service at age 62
• 20 years of service at any age, actuarially
reduced (Deferred Retirement Option Plan
[DROP] participation and retirement with an
Initial Benet Option [IBO] are not available
to members who choose this option). The
actuarial reduction is based on the number
of months you are away from eligibility for an
unreduced retirement.
You cannot use unused annual and sick leave
to reach eligibility for retirement. Also, certain
service purchases may not be used to meet
retirement eligibility.
NOTE: Retiring out of state service may impact
your coverage eligibility with the Oce of
Group Benets (OGB). Contact OGB for
more information.
Retirement Eligibility and Final
Average Compensation
(8) Photo by Datha Buriege (Please see pages 100-101)
22
Benet Accrual and Final Average
Compensation
(La. R.S. 11:231 and
11:444)
If you are a Regular Member of LASERS, you will
accrue benets at 2.5 percent of your average
compensation per year.
• If you were hired on or before June 30,
2006, your average compensation will
be based on your highest successive 36
months of earnings.
◦ If you were hired before July
1, 1986, and did not terminate
employment and receive a
refund of your contributions,
you will receive an additional
$300.00 per year added to
your retirement benet.
• If you were hired on or after July 1, 2006,
your average compensation will be based
on your highest successive 60 months of
earnings.
Limits on Final Average
Compensation (La. R.S. 11:403(5))
When calculating your retirement benet, the
earnings used for your average compensation
may be capped in order to avoid excessive spikes
in compensation.
If hired on or before June 30, 2006: The
earnings to be considered for the 13
th
through the
24
th
month shall not exceed 125 percent of the
earnings of the 1
st
through the 12
th
month. The
earnings to be considered for the nal 12 months
shall not exceed 125 percent of the earnings of
the 13
th
through the 24
th
month.
If hired on or after July 1, 2006: The earnings to
be considered for the 13
th
through the 24
th
month
shall not exceed 115 percent of the earnings of
the 1
st
through the 12
th
month. The earnings to
be considered for the 25
th
through the 36
th
month
shall not exceed 115 percent of the earnings of
the 13
th
through the 24
th
month. The earnings to
be considered for the 37
th
through the 48
th
month
shall not exceed 115 percent of the earnings of
the 25
th
through the 36
th
month. The earnings for
the nal 12 months shall not exceed 115 percent
of the earnings of the 37
th
through the 48
th
month.
Part-time Members: If you are employed on a
part-time basis and have not accrued 36 months
(if employed before July 1, 2006) or 60 months
(if employed on or after July 1, 2006) of full-time
employment, your average compensation will
be calculated on the base pay you would have
received if employed on a full-time basis. If you
had the requisite full-time service, your base pay
will be calculated using that time.
We encourage you to obtain estimates for
regular retirement, DROP, and IBO before
making a retirement decision. You can
calculate your own estimates by accessing
Member Self-Service on the LASERS website at
www.lasersonline.org. You can also submit Form
05-01: Request for Retirement Benet Estimate
when you are within 18 months of eligibility
for retirement, and LASERS will provide you
with estimates.
Revised September 2018
Retirement benets are
paid monthly and are
guaranteed for your
lifetime.
23
At the time of retirement, you may receive
additional benets for your unused, accumulated
annual and sick leave. Upon certication by your
agency of the leave, you will be given the option
to have the leave converted to additional credit
or to receive a one-time, lump-sum payment.
Should you retire out of state service, you will
not be given credit for your unused annual and
sick leave unless you were eligible for retirement
when you terminated state service. (For example,
if you are in the rank-and-le plan and had 20
years of service credit when you terminated, you
may receive credit for your leave as certied by
your agency.) If you terminate employment, and
later become re-employed you must contribute
to LASERS for at least 18 months before you are
eligible to receive credit for any unused leave for
retirement purposes. No unused leave can be used
for retirement eligibility purposes.
Your agency is required to submit Form 07-01:
Certication of Unused Annual and Sick Leave to
LASERS after you terminate employment. This form
shows the balance of your unused annual and sick
leave. The balance should not include any amounts
that were paid to you by your agency, such as
the 300 hours of annual leave paid by most Civil
Service agencies.
Your unused leave is converted to days by adding
the hours of annual and sick leave and dividing
these hours by eight, representing an eight-hour
day. Any fractional day of one-half or more will be
granted as one day and less than half a day will be
disregarded. Your unused leave will be converted
to credit based on the following table:
Days of Unused Leave Credit
1 – 26 .10
27 – 52 .20
53 – 78 .30
79 – 104 .40
105 – 130 .50
131 – 156 .60
157 – 182 .70
183 – 208 .80
209 – 234 .90
235 – 260 One year
At the time of retirement, you may receive additional benets for
your unused, accumulated annual and sick leave.
Cathy has 609 days of unused annual
and sick leave. By using the chart above,
credit for her unused leave is calculated as
follows:
260 days = 1.00 year
260 days = 1.00 year
89 days = 0.40 year
609 total days = 2.40 years
Cathy will receive a total of 2.4 years
credit for her unused leave.
Unused Annual and Sick Leave
(La. R.S. 11:421)
(9) Photo by Beth Segura (Please see pages 100-101)
24
Your application for retirement will include
a section for you to make a choice about
the payment of unused annual and sick
leave. You will have two options:
• Convert your unused
annual and sick leave to
credit, or
• Take a lump-sum payment
of the actuarial value (not
the hourly salary rate) of
the unused annual and sick
leave. This payment may be
rolled over to an IRS quali-
ed plan.
Members who participate in DROP will
make their leave selection at the time of
their retirement. Disability retirees must
convert their unused annual and sick leave
to credit.
Convert Leave to Credit
If you decide to convert your unused leave
to credit, it will be included in the total
credit used to compute your retirement
benet.
Fred is retiring at age 54 with 30 years service credit. He has a nal average compensation
of $50,000.00. He has 57 days of unused leave, which converts to .30 years of credit. His
maximum retirement benet would be calculated in the following manner:
By converting his unused leave, Fred’s monthly benet has increased from $3,125.00 to
$3,156.25, or $31.25 per month.
$50,000.00
average
compensation
.025
accrual
rate
30.0
years of
service credit
$37,500.00 per year
($3,125.00 per month)
x x =
$50,000.00
average
compensation
.025
accrual
rate
.30
years of
unused leave
$375.00 per year
($31.25 per month)
x x =
$31.25
converted
leave
benet
$3,125.00
retirement
benet
$3,156.25 per month+ =Total retirement benet =
25
Lump-sum payments are subject to
mandatory 20 percent federal income tax
withholding. You may also be subject to a
10 percent federal early withdrawal penalty.
LASERS encourages you to contact a tax
consultant to determine if the provisions
are applicable to your specic situation.
However, you may roll over the lump-sum
payment to an IRS qualied plan to avoid
the mandatory 20 percent withholding.
For a rollover, Form 02-01A: Authorization
for Direct Rollover must be completed by
your nancial institution and submitted to
LASERS.
You cannot convert all of your unused leave
to credit if this will cause your retirement
benet to exceed 100 percent of your nal
average compensation. In this case, your
unused leave will be converted to credit
to reach 100 percent of your average
compensation, and any remainder of leave
will be paid to you in a lump-sum.
Lump-Sum Payment of Leave Balance
If you decide to take a lump-sum payment of your unused annual and sick leave, the amount paid
will be at an actuarial rate, and not at your regular hourly rate. Lump-sum payments are calculated by
multiplying the additional annual benet by the actuarial reserve factor for your age at the time of
retirement. The actuarial reserve factor is based on life expectancy.
Revised December 2014
Fred converted his 57 days of unused leave to additional credit. If Fred decided to take a
lump-sum payment for his unused leave, the payment would be calculated in the following
manner:
$50,000.00
average
compensation
.025
accrual
rate
.30
years of
unused leave
$375.00
annual
benet
x x =
$375.00
additional annual
benet
10.454
actuarial reserve
factor
$3,920.25
lump-sum
payment
x =
Fred must decide whether to take an additional $31.25 monthly for his lifetime or accept a
one-time lump-sum of $3,920.25.
26
When you retire
you must select
a retirement
option and a
beneciary(ies).
You can name
anyone as a
beneciary.
Generally, a married member must choose a
retirement option which provides a benet for their
spouse that is at least fty percent of the benet
payable to the retiree. (Please see the chapter on
Community Property and Divorce if you and your
spouse have a separate property agreement.) You
may choose an option that does not leave a monthly
benet for your spouse or name another beneciary,
if your spouse agrees with the choice, and signs
Form 04-04: Spousal Consent in the presence of a
Notary Public. Depending on the retirement option
chosen, your beneciary may receive a lifetime
benet in the case of your death. Below are the
seven retirement options:
Maximum Option pays the maximum monthly
benet to you for your lifetime. This option does
not pay a monthly benet to a beneciary(ies).
Should you die before your member contributions
are depleted, your beneciary(ies) will receive a
lump-sum payment of your remaining member
contributions. Contributions are typically exhausted
within two to three years after your retirement or
entry into DROP.
Option 1 pays you a slightly reduced monthly
benet for your lifetime. The benet reduction
is based on your employee contributions, your
age, and your life expectancy at the time of your
retirement. It does not pay a monthly benet to a
beneciary(ies). Should you die before your member
contributions are depleted, your beneciary(ies)
will receive a lump-sum payment of your remaining
member contributions. Your contributions are
depleted at an actuarially reduced rate, and are
typically exhausted in approximately eight or more
years after your retirement or entry into DROP. This
option is not available to members who choose the
Initial Benet Option (IBO).
Option 2A pays you a reduced monthly benet
for your lifetime, and a benet to your beneciary
after your death. The benet reduction is based on
the ages of you and your beneciary at the time of
your retirement. Upon your death, your beneciary
will receive a lifetime benet of the same monthly
amount for their lifetime. You can only select one
beneciary, and this beneciary cannot be changed
after retirement.
Option 2B is only available to members with a
mentally handicapped child or children and pays
you a reduced monthly benet for your lifetime. The
benet reduction is based on the ages of you, your
beneciary, and your mentally handicapped child
or children at the time of your retirement. Upon
your death, your beneciary will receive the same
amount for their lifetime. At the beneciary’s death,
a benet is paid to the legal guardian of any mentally
handicapped child or children. You must submit
Form 06-03: Option 2B Mentally Handicapped
Designee, along with your retirement application.
This form must be certied by a physician.
Option 3 pays you a reduced monthly benet for
your lifetime, and a benet to your beneciary after
your death. The benet reduction is based on the
ages of you and your beneciary at the time of
your retirement. Upon your death, your beneciary
will receive 50 percent of your benet for their
lifetime. You can only select one beneciary, and this
beneciary cannot be changed after retirement.
Retirement Options and
the Self-Funded COLA
(La. R.S. 11:446)
(10) Photo by Mark Fradella (Please see pages 100-101)
27
Option 4A is only available to members who
have been married at least two years at the
time of their retirement. Only your spouse may
be named as your beneciary. This option pays
you 90 percent of the Maximum Option benet
for your lifetime. Upon your death, your spouse
will receive 55 percent of your Maximum
Option benet for their lifetime. This option is
not available to Disability retirees.
Option 4B pays you a reduced monthly benet
for your lifetime. The benet reduction is based
on the ages of you and your beneciary at
the time of your retirement. Upon your death,
your beneciary will receive 55 percent of your
benet for their lifetime. You can only select
one beneciary, and this beneciary cannot be
changed after retirement.
For all options other than the Maximum
Option or Option 1, only one beneciary may
be named, and the beneciary cannot be
changed after your retirement. If your named
beneciary dies, you may request to have your
retirement benet increased to the amount
that you would have received had you initially
selected the Maximum Option. If you named
your spouse as your beneciary, and you are
now divorced, you may request to have your
benet increased to an actuarially reduced
Maximum amount. You must provide a court
order showing that your former spouse has
irrevocably relinquished all rights to a benet,
submit Form 10-06: Application for Change in
Retirement Benet due to Divorce, and pay a
$150.00 nonrefundable actuarial calculation
fee.
If you choose an option which will leave your
spouse a monthly benet in the event of your
death, they will receive this benet for their
lifetime, even if they remarry.
If your named beneciary dies, you may request to have your
retirement benet increased to the amount that you would have
received had you initially selected the Maximum Option.
Martha is retiring with 13.20 years of service at age 60 and her beneciary is age 64. She has an
annual nal average compensation of $31,668.00 and an accrual rate of 2.5%, so her Maximum
retirement benet is $895.87 per month. This amount will be reduced if she chooses a retire-
ment option other than the Maximum. The chart below shows the monthly amount that she
will receive depending on which retirement option she chooses:
Maximum Option 1 Option 2A Option 3 Option 4A Option 4B
Member
Retirement
Payment
100 percent Reduced
amount from
maximum
Reduced
amount based
on ages at
retirement
Reduced
amount based
on ages at
retirement
90 percent of
maximum
Reduced
amount based
on ages at
retirement
Monthly
Benet to
Member
$895.87 $890.27 $813.94 $852.94 $806.28 $848.88
Beneciary
Payment
(after your
death)
Lump sum of
remainder of
unused em-
ployee contri-
butions
Lump sum of
remainder of
unused em-
ployee contri-
butions
Same amount
as retiree
50 percent
of retiree's
benet
55 percent of
maximum
55 percent
of retiree's
benet
Monthly
Benet to
Beneciary
None None $813.94 $426.47 $492.73 $466.88
28
Self-Funded COLA (La. R.S. 11:247 and
La. R.S. 11:446:(A)(6))
Unlike the system generated cost-of-living
adjustments, which are funded by the retirement
system upon legislative approval, the Self-Funded
cost-of-living adjustment is funded by the
member/retiree through the actuarial reduction
of your monthly retirement benet. You will
receive the actuarially reduced benet for your
lifetime. It can take many years to regain the
benets initially reduced in order to fund the Self-
Funded COLA.
At the time of retirement or entry into DROP,
you may elect to receive an actuarially reduced
retirement allowance plus a 2.5 percent annual
cost-of-living adjustment (COLA), which will be
eective on your retirement anniversary date. If
you are not 55 at the time of retirement or entry
into DROP, you are eligible to select the Self-
Funded COLA, but it will not be payable to you
until the anniversary date after you turn age 55.
If you choose a retirement option which leaves
your spouse a monthly benet, the Self-Funded
COLA will be added to their monthly benet after
your death. However, if you name a non-spouse
beneciary, the Self-Funded COLA will not be
added to their monthly benet after your death.
The Self-Funded COLA is not available for Disability
retirement. If you selected the COLA at the time of
retirement or entry into DROP, the COLA will apply
to benets received during your DROP participation
period. The Self-Funded COLA also applies to
supplemental benets.
If you elect to receive the Self-Funded COLA, you
are also able to receive the system generated
COLAs for which you are eligible. There is no
guarantee of system generated COLAs. The
amount of these COLAs are dependent upon the
amount of excess investment returns deposited
in the Experience Account used to fund COLAs,
system funding, and legislative approval. No
forms are used and no action is required by
members to select these COLAs. For more
information, see the chapter on Cost-of-Living-
Increases.
Revised March 2016
Self-Funded
COLA (La. R.S.
11:247 and
La. R.S.
11:446:(A)(6))
nlike the system generated cost-of-living adustments, which are funded by the retirement system upon
legislative approval, the Self-Funded cost-of-living adustment is funded by the memberretiree through the
actuarial reduction of your monthly retirement benefit. ou will receive the actuarially reduced benefit for
your lifetime. It can take many years to regain the benefits initially reduced in order to fund the Self-Funded
COLA.
At the time of retirement or entry into RO, you may elect to receive an actuarially reduced retirement
allowance plus a 2. percent annual cost-of-living adustment COLA, which will be effective on your
retirement anniversary date. If you are not at the time of retirement or entry into RO, you are eligible to
select the Self-Funded COLA, but it will not be payable to you until the anniversary date after you turn age .
If you choose a retirement option which leaves your spouse a monthly benefit, the Self-Funded COLA will be
added to their monthly benefit after your death. owever, if you name a non-spouse beneficiary, the Self-
Funded COLA will not be added to their monthly benefit after your death. The Self-Funded COLA is not available
for Disability retirement. If you selected the COLA at the time of retirement or entry into DROP, the COLA will apply to
benefits received during your DROP participation period. The Self-Funded COLA also applies to supplemental benefits.
If you elect to receive the Self-Funded COLA, you are also able to receive the system generated COLAs for
which you are eligible. here is no guarantee of system generated COLAs. he amount of these COLAs are
dependent upon the amount of excess investment returns deposited in the xperience Account used to fund
COLAs, system funding, and legislative approval. o forms are used and no action is reuired by members to
select these COLAs. For more information, see the chapter on Cost-of-Living-Increases.
Example:Maryisretiringatage60with20.00yearsofservicecredit.Shehasafinalaveragecompensationof
$50,000.Hermaximumbenefitwouldbecalculatedasfollows:
Averagecompensation
x
Accrualrate
x
Yearsofservicecredit
=
MaximumBenefit
$50,000
x
2.5%
x
20.00
=
$25,000peryear($2,083.33monthly)
Mary’smonthlymaximumbenefitwiththeSelf-FundedCOLAwouldbecalculatedasfollows:
MonthlyMaximumBenefit
x
Self-FundedCOLAReduction
=
ReducedMonthlyMaximumBenefit
$2,083.33
x
0.792440
=
$1,650.91monthly
IfMaryselectstheSelf-FundedCOLA,shewouldinitiallyreceiveabenefitof$432.42lesspermonth($2,083.33-
$1,650.91)thanshewouldhavereceivedhadshenotchosentheSelf-
FundedCOLA.Dependingupontheoption
Marychooses,herbenefitcouldbefurtherreduced.
Average Compensation
x
Accrual rate
x
Years of service credit
=
Maximum Benet
$50,00
x
2.5%
x
20.00
=
$25,000 per year ($2,083.33 monthly)
Monthly Maximum Benet
x
Self-Funded COLA Reduction
=
Reduced Monthly Maximum Benet
$2,083.33
x
0.792440
=
$1,650.91 monthly
29
Regular Retirement versus Self-Funded COLA
Regular Retirement versus Self-Funded COLA
Example:Maryisretiringatage60with20.00yearsofservicecredit.Shehasafinalaveragecompensationof$50,000.his
isacomparisonofaRegularretirementbenefittoaRegularretirementbenefitwithaSelf-FundedCOLAbenefit.
ReularRetirementBenefit
• Maximumbenefitis$2,083.33
• oactuarialreductiontobenefit
• After15years,Marywouldhavereceived$374,999.40in
retirementbenefits.
MonthlyRetirementBenefit
After5Years After10Years After15Years
$2,083.33
$2,083.33
$2,083.33
ReularRetirementithaelfundedBenefit
• Reducedinitialmaximumbenefitis$1,650.91
• 2.5%Self-FundedCOLAgrantedyearlyonanniversarydate
aftermemberturnsage55
• After15years,Marywouldhavereceived$355,247.96in
retirementbenefits.
MonthlyRetirementBenefit
After5Years After10Years After15Years
$1,822.30
$2,061.6
$2,332.69
venthoughMary’smonthlybenefitwouldbehigherafter15years,shewouldhavereceived$19,51.leintotalenefit
bychoosingtheSelf-FundedCOLA.
Self-Funded COLA Break-even Point
Based on the example above, this chart shows a yearly comparison of retirement benefits when choosing a
Regular retirement with a Self-Funded COLA versus the benefit when choosing only a Regular retirement.
If Mary had chosen Regular retirement with a Self-Funded COLA, her break-even point would be between
year 19 and 20. Since she retired at age 60, she would reach her break-even point at age 80.
RegularRetirementBenefit
Self-FundedCOLABenefit
DifferenceofBenefits
(Brea-evenoint)
Yearly
otalBenefits
Yearly
otalBenefits
Year5
$24,999.96
$124,999.80
$21,867.55
$104,132.70
$20,86.10
Year10
$24,999.96
$245,999.60
$24,741.12
$221.949.30
$28,050.30
Year15
$24,999.96
$374,999.40
$27,992.31
$355,247.96
$19,51.
Year19
$24,999.96
$474,999.24
$30,898.27
$474,392.44
$606.82
Year20
$24,999.96
$499,999.20
$31,670.73
$506,063.17
$6,063.9
The choice to take the Self-Funded COLA is irrevocable, and you will receive this actuarially reduced
benefit
for your lifetime. We strongly suggest that you obtain a retirement estimate prior to making this
selection.
Self-Funded COLA Break-even Point
Based on the example above, the chart below
shows a yearly comparison of retirement benets
when choosing a Regular retirement with a Self-
Funded COLA versus the benet when choosing
only a Regular retirement.
If Mary had chosen Regular retirement with a
Self-Funded COLA, her break-even point would
be between year 19 and 20. Since she retired at
age 60, she would reach her break-even point at
age 80.
Regular Retirement versus Self-Funded COLA
Example:Maryisretiringatage60with20.00yearsofservicecredit.Shehasafinalaveragecompensationof$50,000.his
isacomparisonofaRegularretirementbenefittoaRegularretirementbenefitwithaSelf-FundedCOLAbenefit.
ReularRetirementBenefit
• Maximumbenefitis$2,083.33
• oactuarialreductiontobenefit
• After15years,Marywouldhavereceived$374,999.40in
retirementbenefits.
MonthlyRetirementBenefit
After5Years
After10Years
After15Years
$2,083.33
$2,083.33
$2,083.33
ReularRetirementithaelfundedBenefit
• Reducedinitialmaximumbenefitis$1,650.91
• 2.5%Self-FundedCOLAgrantedyearlyonanniversarydate
aftermemberturnsage55
• After15years,Marywouldhavereceived$355,247.96in
retirementbenefits.
MonthlyRetirementBenefit
After5Years
After10Years
After15Years
$1,822.30
$2,061.6
$2,332.69
venthoughMary’smonthlybenefitwouldbehigherafter15years,shewouldhavereceived$19,51.leintotalenefit
bychoosingtheSelf-FundedCOLA.
Self-Funded COLA Break-even Point
Based on the example above, this chart shows a yearly comparison of retirement benefits when choosing a
Regular retirement with a Self-Funded COLA versus the benefit when choosing only a Regular retirement.
If Mary had chosen Regular retirement with a Self-Funded COLA, her break-even point would be between
year 19 and 20. Since she retired at age 60, she would reach her break-even point at age 80.
RegularRetirementBenefit Self-FundedCOLABenefit
DifferenceofBenefits
(Brea-evenoint)
Yearly
otalBenefits
Yearly
otalBenefits
Year5
$24,999.96
$124,999.80
$21,867.55
$104,132.70
$20,86.10
Year10
$24,999.96
$245,999.60
$24,741.12
$221.949.30
$28,050.30
Year15
$24,999.96
$374,999.40
$27,992.31
$355,247.96
$19,51.
Year19
$24,999.96
$474,999.24
$30,898.27
$474,392.44
$606.82
Year20
$24,999.96
$499,999.20
$31,670.73
$506,063.17
$6,063.9
The choice to take the Self-Funded COLA is irrevocable, and you will receive this actuarially reduced
benefit
for your lifetime. We strongly suggest that you obtain a retirement estimate prior to making this
selection.
The choice to take the Self-Funded COLA is irrevocable, and you will receive this actuarially reduced benet
for your lifetime. We strongly suggest that you obtain a retirement estimate prior to making this selection.
30
If you are within 18 months of retirement
eligibility you may request a benet estimate
from LASERS. You may request estimates for the
following types of retirement:
• Regular retirement
• Regular retirement with an actuarially
reduced benet
• Initial Benet Option (IBO)
• Deferred Retirement Option Plan (DROP)
• Retirement after DROP
• Disability Retirement
• Self-Funded COLA
If you include your balance of unused annual
and sick leave on the estimate request, LASERS
will provide you with estimates for benets
without credit for unused leave, benets with
credit for unused leave, and the lump-sum
payment amount of actuarial value of leave
according to La. R.S. 11:424(E).
Application Process
To apply for a benet estimate, you must
submit the following to LASERS:
• Form 05-01: Request for
Retirement Benet Estimate
You may also visit Active Member Self-Service
to generate your own estimates. Please see
the chapter on the LASERS website for more
information.
If you need to know your rst eligible date for
retirement, please submit a written request to
LASERS.
Benet estimates are not guaranteed
benets. These calculations are merely
estimated. The actual pension benet that
you are entitled to as a member of LASERS
is determined by applicable laws as well as
nalized service credit, earnings, and leave
balances at the time of your retirement.
Revised March 2016
If you are within 18 months of retirement eligibility you may
request a benet estimate from LASERS.
Estimates
(11) Photo by Cindy Liner (Please see pages 100-101)
31
If there is a break in service between your date of termination
and your eective date of retirement, you will be considered out
of state service and your monthly benet may be reduced.
Retiring out of state service may impact your coverage eligibility with the Oce of Group Benets (OGB).
Contact OGB for more information.
Regular Retirement
(La. R.S. 11:444)
You are responsible for knowing when you
are eligible for retirement. Once you plan
to retire, you should contact your agency’s
Human Resources Oce to obtain a retirement
application. You should submit your retirement
application to LASERS at least six months
before your planned retirement date. Your
retirement application must be received
on or before your termination date for your
retirement to be considered while in state
service. Your retirement will be eective the
day the application is received at LASERS, or
the day after termination, whichever is later.
If there is a break in service between your
date of termination and your eective date of
retirement, you will be considered out of
state service and your monthly benet may be
reduced. Also, eligibility to receive credit for
your leave balances may be impacted if you are
out of state service when you retire.
Calculating the Benet
John began employment on January 15, 1986, and is now retiring at age 55 with 29 years of service
credit. He has an annual nal average compensation of $50,000.00, so his base retirement benet
would be calculated in the following manner:
$50,000.00
average
compensation
.025
accrual
rate
29.0
years of
service credit
$300.00
(since hired before
July 1, 1986)
$36,550.00 per year
($3,045.84 monthly)
x x =+
average
compensation
accrual
rate
years of
service credit
$300.00
(if hired before
July 1, 1986)
x x + Maximum benet=
(12) Photo by Joey Black (Please see pages 100-101)
32
Revised September 2018
Application Process
To apply for retirement, you must submit the following to LASERS:
• Form 06-01: Application for Retirement
• Form 04-04: Spousal Consent (if you are married and select the Maximum Option or
Option 1, or name a beneciary who is not your spouse). Alternately, you may submit a
Certied Matrimonial Contract, Pre-nuptial Agreement, Separate Property Agreement,
etc. (if applicable).
• Copies of Social Security cards and birth certicates for you and your beneciary(ies)
• Certied Copy of a Judgment of Divorce from your former spouse and/or a copy of the
death certicate of your former spouse (if applicable)
• Copy of Marriage Certicate (if Option 4A was selected)
• Form 02-01A: Authorization for Direct Rollover (if rolling over your payment for
unused leave)
• Form 04-05: Authorization for Direct Deposit
• Form 06-02: Insurance Premium Deduction Authorization (if applicable)
• Form W-4P: Withholding Certicate for Pension or Annuity Payments. This form is not
required. If the form is not submitted to LASERS, your federal tax withholding will be set
to the IRS default, which is currently “Married with three allowances”.
No retirement benets will be paid
until LASERS receives all of the required
documents. You can assist LASERS in
promptly paying your monthly benet
upon your retirement by having all
necessary documents on le prior to your
retirement. LASERS recommends that you
complete all of your retirement paperwork
six months prior to your anticipated
retirement date. Your human resources
personnel will assist you with all of the
paperwork as you begin the retirement
process.
33
The Initial Benet Option (IBO) is an optional
method of retirement which allows you to
receive a lump-sum equivalent of up to 36
months of your maximum retirement benet
at the time of your retirement. Any member
who is eligible for an unreduced Regular
retirement may select the Initial Benet
Option (IBO). Members who take an actuarially
reduced retirement, Disability retirement, or
who participate in DROP are not eligible to
select the IBO. At the time of your retirement,
you will select the dollar amount you will be
paid, up to an equivalent of 36 months of your
maximum retirement benet. All future monthly
benets will be reduced based on your age at
retirement, and the amount of the IBO selected.
All IBO participants must select a retirement
option at the time of retirement. However, IBO
participants cannot select retirement Option 1.
NOTE: Retiring out of state service may impact
your coverage eligibility with the Oce of Group
Benets (OGB). Contact OGB for more information.
The Initial Benet Option (IBO) is an optional method of retirement
which allows you to receive a lump-sum equivalent of up to 36 months
of your maximum retirement benet at the time of your retirement.
Initial Benet Option
(La.R.S. 11:446 (A)(5))
Mark began employment on April 10, 1980, and is now retiring at age 52 with 30 years of service credit. He
has selected the Maximum Option and the maximum IBO amount. His benet amount is calculated in the
following manner:
$55,000.00
average
compensation
.025
accrual
rate
30.0
years of
service credit
$300.00
(since hired
before
July 1, 1986)
$41,550.00 per year
($3,462.50 per month)
x x =
+
Since he chose the maximum IBO amount he will receive a lump-sum payment of 36 times $3,462.50 or
$124,650.00.
To estimate the approximate monthly cost of the one-time IBO payment, use the following chart to nd your
age and the corresponding cost per $1,000.00, in this case $7.12. The approximate monthly cost to receive
a $124,650.00 IBO would be $7.12 times 124, or $882.88. The $882.88 is subtracted from the $3,462.50
monthly maximum benet to determine the actuarially reduced monthly benet. Therefore, $3,462.50
minus $882.88 leaves a monthly benet of $2,579.62.
Mark will receive an IBO of $124,650.00 and a lifetime monthly benet of $2,579.62. If Mark had selected
Regular retirement with no IBO his lifetime monthly benet would be $3,462.50. By selecting the IBO, Mark
will receive an initial lump-sum payment of $124,650.00, but his monthly benet is reduced from $3,462.50
to $2,579.62. He will receive this benet for his lifetime.
(13) Photo by Cynthia McKinney (Please see pages 100-101)
34
No retirement benets will be paid
until LASERS receives all of the required
documents. You can assist LASERS in
promptly paying your monthly benet upon
your retirement by having all necessary
documents on le prior to your retirement.
LASERS will make the rst deposit into your
IBO account once your preliminary benet
calculation has been performed. When all
nal earnings have been received, we will
nalize your retirement benet, and make
the second and nal deposit into your IBO
account. Therefore, the entire balance of your
IBO will not be available for withdrawal until
your retirement benet has been nalized.
35 – 6.48 46 – 6.80 57 – 7.53 68 – 9.15 79 – 12.90
36 – 6.50 47 – 6.84 58 – 7.63 69 – 9.36 80 – 13.45
37 – 6.52 48 – 6.89 59 – 7.74 70 – 9.60 81 – 14.06
38 – 6.54 49 – 6.94 60 – 7.86 71 – 9.86 82 – 14.72
39 – 6.57 50 – 7.00 61 – 7.99 72 – 10.13 83 – 15.44
40 – 6.60 51 – 7.06 62 – 8.12 73 – 10.43 84 – 16.24
41 – 6.62 52 – 7.12 63 – 8.26 74 – 10.76 85 – 17.10
42 – 6.65 53 – 7.19 64 – 8.42 75 – 11.12 86 – 18.04
43 – 6.69 54 – 7.27 65 – 8.58 76 – 11.51 87 – 19.05
44 – 6.72 55 – 7.35 66 – 8.76 77 – 11.93 88 – 20.12
45 – 6.76 56 – 7.44 67 – 8.94 78 – 12.40 89 – 21.24
Age and Approximate Cost per $1,000.00
(Chart changes periodically)
Application Process
To apply for retirement with an IBO, you must submit the following to LASERS:
• Form 06-01A or 06-01B: Application for Retirement with IBO
• Form 6-01A is for members who were eligible to retire on or after January 1, 2004
• Form 6-01B is for members who were eligible to retire before January 1, 2004
• Form 04-04: Spousal Consent (if you are married and select maximum or Option 1, or
name a beneciary who is not your spouse). Alternately, you may submit a Certied
Matrimonial Contract, Pre-nuptial Agreement, Separate Property Agreement, etc. (if
applicable).
• Copies of Social Security cards and birth certicates for you and your
beneciary(ies)
• Certied Copy of a Judgment of Divorce from your former spouse and/or a copy of the
death certicate of your former spouse (if applicable)
• Copy of Marriage Certicate (if Option 4A was selected)
• Form 02-01A: Authorization for Direct Rollover (if rolling over your payment for unused
leave)
• Form 04-05: Authorization for Direct Deposit
• Form 06-02: Insurance Premium Deduction Authorization (if applicable)
• Form W-4P: Withholding Certicate for Pension or Annuity Payments. This form is not
required. If the form is not submitted to LASERS, your federal tax withholding will be set
to the IRS default, which is currently “Married with three allowances.”
• Form 07-01: Certication of Unused Annual and Sick Leave (submitted by your agency)
35
Self-Directed Plan
(LAC 58:I.4101 et seq.)
Members eligible for Regular retirement
before January 1, 2004, have the option
to leave their IBO at LASERS or to transfer it
to the Self-Directed Plan. If a member elects
to join the Self-Directed Plan this selection
is irrevocable.
Members eligible for Regular retirement on
or after January 1, 2004, will have their
IBO transferred to the Self-Directed Plan.
EMPOWER Retirement™ will administer the
IBO account, so all withdrawals and account
changes must be made through EMPOWER
Retirement™, not LASERS.
Please see the chapter on DROP/IBO
Account Withdrawals and the Self-Directed
Plan for information relating to making
withdrawals from your IBO account.
Interest on IBO Accounts Held at
LASERS
IBO accounts held at LASERS may accrue
interest until the IBO balance is depleted.
The interest rate is equal to the LASERS
actuarial rate of return on investments for
the prior scal year minus 0.5 percent. This
interest rate changes from year to year and
is based on investment earnings. Interest,
if applicable, will be retroactively credited
to your account based on your month-end
account balance. If interest is earned it will
be shown on your IBO annual statement
which is issued in the rst quarter of each
year. For example, an annual statement
received in March 2016 would show the
interest posted for July 2014 – June 2015.
Revised September 2018
36
The Deferred Retirement Option Plan (DROP) is
an optional retirement method that allows you
to defer your retirement benet for a maximum
period of 36 months while you continue to
work. Neither you nor your employer will pay
contributions to LASERS, and you do not earn
additional service credit during the participation
period. Your monthly DROP benet will be
deposited into an individual DROP account which
you can access after you have retired. You will
continue to earn your regular salary and accrue
annual and sick leave while in DROP.
Eligibility
A Regular Member must be eligible for retirement
before participating in DROP. Members who
take an actuarially reduced retirement may not
participate in DROP. See the chapter on Retirement
Eligibility for more information.
You may participate in DROP if you have service
credit with another retirement system recognized
by LASERS pursuant to the provisions of
La. R.S. 11:142 (reciprocal recognition). Your
combined service credit must meet the minimum
eligibility requirements of each retirement system.
You must submit an Application for DROP to both
of the retirement systems.
Participation Period
If you were eligible to retire on or before
December 31, 1995, you are eligible to participate
in “Old DROP” and may enter DROP at any time
prior to retirement. There is no dened window of
participation. Your DROP account will remain at
LASERS unless you make the irrevocable choice to
transfer your DROP account to the Self-Directed
Plan.
If you were eligible to retire between December
31, 1995, and December 31, 2003, and
participated in DROP, you were in “New DROP.”
Your DROP account will remain at LASERS unless
you make the irrevocable choice to transfer your
DROP account to the Self-Directed Plan. The “New
DROP” plan is no longer available.
If you are eligible to retire on or after January 1,
2004, you are required to enter the Self-Directed
Plan. Self-Directed Plan DROP accounts will be
transferred to the third party administrator,
EMPOWER Retirement™
, as soon as your DROP
participation period ends. You will have a three
year and 60-day DROP window. You must begin
DROP participation within 60 days of your rst
eligible date for retirement in order to participate
for the full 36 months. If you enter DROP later than
60 days from your rst eligible date, the 36-month
participation period is reduced.
Deferred Retirement Option Plan
(La. R.S. 11:447)
(14) Photo by Beth Segura (Please see pages 100-101)
37
You may elect to participate in DROP for
fewer than 36 months. However, once you
have chosen a DROP end date, this end
date cannot be extended. You cannot exit
DROP prior to your stated ending date
unless you terminate employment.
Retirement Options and DROP
Beneciaries
When you decide to participate in DROP
you will select a retirement option, a
retirement option beneciary, and a DROP
account beneciary. The retirement option
selected upon participation in DROP cannot
be changed. Your DROP account beneciary
can be dierent from your retirement
option beneciary, and may be changed
at any time by submitting Form 01-06:
Designation of Beneciary to LASERS
(Form 04-04: Spousal Consent may be
required). Should you die during DROP
participation, your named retirement
beneciary will receive benets according
to the retirement option you selected. Your
DROP account beneciary will be entitled
to the remaining funds in your DROP
account. See the chapter on Retirement
Options for more information.
Your DROP account
beneciary can be
dierent from your
retirement option
beneciary, and may be
changed at any time.
Calculating the DROP Benet
Your DROP benet is based on the
amount that you would have received as
a monthly retirement benet if you had
selected regular retirement. This monthly
benet will be deposited into an individual
DROP account as long as you continue
participation in DROP. Your unused annual
and sick leave are not calculated when you
go into DROP. Only when you terminate
State service during or after DROP will your
leave be calculated.
Deferred Retirement Option Plan
(La. R.S. 11:447)
Steve is rst eligible for regular retirement on June 1, 2016, so his 60 day window ends on July
30, 2016. If he wants to participate in DROP for the entire 36 months, he must start DROP prior
to July 30, 2016. If he begins DROP on June 15, 2016, he can participate until June 14, 2019 (36
months). However, if he does not begin DROP until September 1, 2016, he can only participate
in DROP until July 29, 2019. He will not get the full 36-month participation period.
38
Application Process
To apply for DROP, you must submit the following to LASERS:
• Form 09-01 or 09-01A: Application for Deferred Retirement Option Plan (DROP)
• Form 9-01 is for members who were eligible to retire on or after January 1, 1995
• Form 9-01A is for members who were eligible to retire before January 1, 1995
• Form 04-04: Spousal Consent (if you are married and select Maximum or Option 1, or
name a beneciary who is not your spouse)
• Copies of Social Security cards and birth certicates for you and your beneciary(ies)
• Certied Copy of a Judgment of Divorce from your former spouse and/or a copy of the
death certicate of your former spouse (if applicable)
• Copy of Marriage Certicate (if Option 4A was selected)
• Certied Matrimonial Contract, Pre-nuptial Agreements, Seperate Property Agree-
ments, ect. (if applicable)
You will not be enrolled in DROP until LASERS has received all required documents. LASERS
recommends that you complete all of your retirement paperwork six months prior to your DROP start
date. Your human resources personnel will assist you as you begin the retirement process.
You cannot change your decision to participate in DROP after the eective date.
Beth is eligible for regular retirement with 19.20 years of service credit at age 60. Her rst
eligible date for regular retirement was January 2, 2016, so she must enter DROP within 60
days of this date to participate for the entire 36 months. She chose to enter DROP on January
2, 2016, so she is eligible to participate until January 1, 2019. She selected the Maximum
Option so her DROP benet is calculated in the following manner:
$40,000.00
Average
compensation
.025
accrual
rate
19.20
years of
service credit
$19,200.00 per year
($1,600.00 per month)
x x =
While Beth continues working, a monthly amount of $1,600.00 will be deposited into
her DROP account. These monthly deposits will continue until Beth either ends DROP
participation on January 1, 2019, or terminates employment, whichever occurs rst. If Beth
participates in DROP for the full 36 months she will have $57,600.00 in her DROP account at
the end of her participation period.
39
End of DROP Participation
Once a member completes the DROP participation
period, they must choose to either terminate
employment and retire, or continue employment
and resume contributions to LASERS. If you
terminate employment while in DROP or on your
DROP end date, you will begin receiving a monthly
retirement benet from LASERS. This monthly
retirement benet will be the same as your DROP
benet, unless you convert your unused annual
and sick leave to retirement credit and/or make
any purchases during DROP. If you continue
employment after DROP, your agency must
submit Form 09-02A: Certication of Continued
Employment after DROP Participation to
LASERS.
Once a member completes
the DROP participation
period, they must choose
to either terminate
employment and retire or
continue employment, and
begin contributing again to
LASERS.
Interest on DROP Accounts
If you are eligible to leave your DROP account
at LASERS, it may accrue interest once you have
ended DROP participation or retired. Interest can
be accrued until your DROP balance is depleted.
The interest rate is equal to the LASERS actuarial
rate of return on investments for the prior scal
year minus 0.5 percent. This interest rate is
based on a ve-year actuarially smoothed return.
Interest, if applicable, will be retroactively credited
to your account based on your month-end account
balance. If interest is earned it will be shown on
your DROP annual statement which is issued in
the rst quarter of each year. For example, a DROP
annual statement received in January 2015 would
show the interest posted for July 2013 – June 2014.
Although LASERS DROP accounts do not earn
interest during the DROP participation period,
they are eligible to accrue interest once the
participation period ends. Self-Directed Plan DROP
accounts will be transferred to the third-party
administrator, EMPOWER Retirement™, as soon as
the DROP participation ends. LASERS will not pay
any interest on these accounts; instead, you will
have a selection of investment options for these
funds through EMPOWER Retirement™.
Working after DROP
You may choose to continue working after your
DROP participation ends. Monthly deposits to
your DROP account will cease and your employee
contributions as well as employer contributions
will resume. When you terminate employment, you
will begin receiving a monthly retirement benet
from LASERS. This will include a supplemental
benet for employment after DROP. If you work
less than three months after DROP, your service
credit will not be rounded up, but will be rounded
to the nearest tenth.
40
The calculation of your supplemental benet
for working after DROP depends on whether
you had a 36 month or 60 month nal average
compensation period when you entered DROP.
• If you had a 36 month nal average
compensation period when you entered
DROP and you work less than three
years after your DROP participation
ends, your supplemental benet will be
based on your pre-DROP nal average
compensation. If you work three or more
years after your DROP participation ends,
your supplemental benet will be based
on your new 36 month after-DROP nal
average compensation.
• If you had a 60 month nal average
compensation period when you entered
DROP and you work less than ve years
after your DROP participation ends,
your supplemental benet will be
based on your pre-DROP nal average
compensation. If you work ve or more
years after your DROP participation ends,
your supplemental benet will be based
on your new 60 month after-DROP nal
average compensation.
• Any unused annual and sick leave will
be calculated based on the nal average
compensation calculation period when
you entered DROP (36 or 60 Months).
See the chaper on “Unused Annual and
Sick Leave”.
Beth entered DROP when she had a nal average compensation of $40,000.00 based on 36
months. She participated in DROP for the full 36 months and worked ve years after her DROP
participation ended. Her nal average compensation for the time she worked after DROP was
$62,000.00 based on 36 months. She has now retired and her retirement benet is calculated
in the following manner:
Since Beth participated in DROP for the full 36 months she has $57,600.00 in her DROP
account.
$40,000.00
36 month average
compensation
.025
accrual
rate
19.20
years of
service credit
$19,200.00 per year
($1,600.00 per month)
x x =
Drop Benet
After DROP supplemental benet
$62,000.00
new 36 month average
compensation
.025
accrual
rate
5.0
after DROP
service credit
$7,750.00 per year
($645.83 per month)
x x =
Beth’s supplemental benet is added to her DROP benet to nd her monthly retirement
benet: $1,600.00 + $645.83 = $2,245.83, so Beth will receive $2,245.83 per month for her
lifetime.
41
Susie entered DROP when she had a nal average compensation of $35,000.00 based on 60
months. She participated in DROP for the full 36 months and worked ve years after her DROP
participation ended. Her nal average compensation for the time she worked after DROP was
$55,000.00 based on 60 months. She has now retired and her retirement benet is calculated
in the following manner:
Since Susie participated in DROP for the full 36 months she has $50,400.00 in her DROP
account.
$35,000.00
60 month average
compensation
.025
accrual
rate
19.20
years of
service credit
$16,800.00 per year
($1,400.00 per month)
x x =
Drop Benet
After DROP supplemental benet
$55,000.00
new 60 month average
compensation
.025
accrual
rate
5.0
after DROP
service credit
$6,875.00 per year
($572.92 per month)
x x =
Susie’s supplemental benet is added to her DROP benet to nd her monthly retirement
benet: $1,400.00 + $572.92 = $1,972.92, so Susie will receive $1,972.92 per month for her
lifetime.
Application Process
To apply for retirement after DROP, you must submit the following to LASERS:
• Form 09-02: Certication at End of Employment
• Form 02-01A: Authorization for Direct Rollover (if rolling over your payment for unused
leave)
• Form 04-05: Authorization for Direct Deposit
• Form 06-02: Insurance Premium Deduction Authorization (if applicable)
• Form W-4P: Withholding Certicate for Pension or Annuity Payments. This form is not
required. If the form is not submitted to LASERS, your federal tax withholding will be
set to the IRS default, which is currently “Married with three allowances”.
• Form 07-01: Certication of Unused Annual and Sick Leave (submitted by your agency)
No retirement benets will be paid until LASERS receives all of the required documents. You can
assist LASERS in promptly paying your monthly benet by having all necessary documents on le prior
to your retirement.
Revised January 2017
42
DROP/IBO Accounts Held at LASERS
If you were eligible to retire before January 1, 2004,
and have a LASERS DROP or IBO account, you can
make withdrawals from your account after you
terminate state service and LASERS has nalized
your retirement benet.
You may choose from the following
disbursement methods:
• Rollover to a qualied tax
annuity plan or IRA
• Lump-sum payment of
the entire balance
• Payment of a specied
amount (as requested)
• Monthly withdrawals of
a specied amount
• Monthly withdrawals of an amount
based on your expected lifetime
• Annual withdrawal of a
specied amount
Tax penalties may apply depending on the
withdrawal method selected. Lump-sum payments,
one-time payments, and monthly payments
where the distributions will be paid out in less
than 10 years, will be subject to a mandatory 20
percent federal income tax withholding. If you are
under age 59 ½, payments may also be subject
to a 10 percent early withdrawal penalty. LASERS
recommends that you consult a qualied tax
advisor before making any decision about the
withdrawal of these funds.
IRS laws dictate that withdrawals must begin no
later than the year you reach age 70 ½, provided
that you have retired, and are receiving monthly
retirement benets. At the beginning of each
year, LASERS will notify you of the amount of your
minimum required distribution for that year. If
you have not met this minimum distribution by
December 1, a check for the required amount will
automatically be issued to you so that you will
avoid any IRS penalties.
Should you die, your DROP/IBO account
beneciary will be entitled to the remaining funds
in your DROP/IBO account. LASERS encourages you
to consult a tax advisor for withdrawal restrictions.
DROP/IBO Account Withdrawals
and the Self-Directed Plan
(La. R.S. 11:447)
(15) Photo by Gregory Penan (Please see pages 100-101)
43
Application Process
To make a withdrawal from your LASERS
DROP/IBO account, you must submit the
following to LASERS:
• Form 09-03: Request for
Withdrawal from DROP-IBO
• Form 04-05: Authorization for
Direct Deposit
(for Direct Deposit only)
• Form 02-01A: Authorization for
Direct Rollover
(for rollovers only)
Self-Directed Plan
DROP/IBO Accounts
Members eligible to retire on or after January
1, 2004, automatically have their DROP/
IBO accounts transferred to the third-party
administrator, EMPOWER Retirement™. Members
who have a DROP/IBO account held at LASERS
can make the irrevocable decision to transfer
the balance of their DROP account to EMPOWER
Retirement™.
Once your DROP/IBO account balance has been
transferred to EMPOWER Retirement™, you may
choose from a wide array of xed and variable
investment options. Each option is explained
in the EMPOWER Retirement™ Services booklet
and fund data sheets. Participation in the
Self-Directed Plan (SDP) may result in the
loss of principal or earnings based on market
performance. Each participant agrees that
neither the State of Louisiana nor LASERS is
obligated for any loss in account funds.
Please contact EMPOWER Retirement™ to nd
out about your withdrawal options and submit
all forms requesting a withdrawal to EMPOWER
Retirement™. Upon your death, your designated
beneciary should contact EMPOWER
Retirement™ for information regarding the
DROP/IBO account.
Visit the
EMPOWER Retirement™
website,
www.LouisianaDCP.com, or call KeyTalk,
toll free, at 800.701.8255. The website and KeyTalk
are available to you 24 hours a day, seven
days a week.
EMPOWER Retirement™
9100 Bluebonnet Centre Blvd., Suite 203
Baton Rouge, LA 70809
225.926.8082 or toll free 800.937.7604
Taxes
All DROP/IBO Distributions from LASERS and the
SDP are exempt from Louisiana state income tax.
Ordinary federal income tax will apply to any
benet received during the calendar year, and
some penalties may apply for early withdrawal.
Form 1099-R (federal tax) will be issued to
you annually and will include any DROP/IBO
withdrawals.
Revised February 2016
DROP/IBO Account Withdrawals
and the Self-Directed Plan
(La. R.S. 11:447)
44
If you are a Regular Member and become totally
disabled and incapable of performing your
normal job duties, you may be eligible to start
receiving a Disability retirement benet. Disability
retirement must be approved by a LASERS
authorized physician.
Eligibility
You are eligible to apply for Disability
retirement if you are a Regular Member,
are unable to perform your work duties,
and you meet both of the following
criteria:
• 10 years of service at any age
• Disability occurred while in
active state service
If you are a Regular Member eligible for Regular
retirement, including the 20 years at any age
actuarially reduced retirement, you cannot apply
for Disability benets.
Benet Accrual
Regular Members approved for Disability
retirement will receive a maximum Disability
retirement benet based on an accrual rate of
2.5%. (Accrual rates for transferred service
may vary.)
Disability Retirement
(La. R.S. 11:212, 217, 461, 462, 463, and LAC 58:I:2501-2523)
Chris is age 52 and has accrued 10.90 years of service credit. He has an annual nal average
compensation of $40,000.00. His maximum Disability retirement benet would be calculated in the
following manner:
.025
accrual
rate
10.90
years of
service credit
$10,900.00 per year
($908.33 per month)
x x =$40,000.00
average
compensation
Application Process
To apply for Disability retirement, you must submit the following to LASERS:
• Form 04-01: Disability Retirement. A complete application must consist of all three parts:
• Disability Retirement Application (completed by you)
• Disability Report (completed by your agency)
• Attending Physician’s Statement (completed by a physician)
• Copy of your medical records
(16) Photo by Mark Steudlein (Please see pages 100-101)
45
(continued on next page)
Disability Retirement
(La. R.S. 11:212, 217, 461, 462, 463, and LAC 58:I:2501-2523)
If you are approved for disability retirement,
your benets will be paid in accordance with the
retirement option you select on your Form 04-01:
Disability Retirement Application. You cannot
change your retirement option selection after
you have submitted the Form 04-01: Disability
Retirement Application.
Once the required documents are received by
LASERS, a physician on the State Medical Disability
Board will review your medical records. Based on
that review, the physician will either:
• Ask for additional records or testing,
• Request an Independent Medical Exam (IME)
at LASERS expense, or
• Approve you for Disability retirement.
If additional records and/or examinations
are needed, the physician will not make a
determination of disability until the necessary
records and/or reports have been received. The
physician will then submit the medical evaluation
and his conclusions as to whether the member
should be approved or denied for Disability
retirement.
If You are Denied for Disability
Retirement
If you are denied for Disability retirement, you
have the right to appeal. To challenge the Board
physician’s denial, you must le a written appeal
within 30 days of the determination.
A second examination will be performed by a State
Medical Disability Board physician. You must pay
the cost of the second examination. If the second
physician agrees with the original physician that
you are not disabled, any further appeal must be
made through State court.
If the second examining physician disagrees with
the ndings of the rst physician, a third Board
physician is selected to provide a decision. The
majority opinion of the three examining physicians
shall be nal, and any further appeal must be
made through State court. You must pay the cost
of the third examination, but will be reimbursed
by LASERS if you are certied as disabled. If your
disability claim is denied no reimbursement will be
issued. If you fail to appear for an examination and
the physician charges a cancellation fee, you will
be responsible for this fee.
If You are Approved for Disability Retirement
If you are approved for Disability retirement, you must submit the following information to LASERS:
• Form 04-04: Spousal Consent (if you are married and select Maximum or Option 1, or name a
beneciary who is not your spouse) . Alternately, you may submit a Certied Matrimonial Contract,
Pre-nuptial Agreement, Separate Property Agreement, etc. (if applicable).
• Copies of Social Security cards and birth certicates for you and your beneciary(ies)
• Certied Copy of a Judgment of Divorce and/or copy of the death certicate from your former
spouse (if applicable)
• Form 04-05: Authorization for Direct Deposit
• Form 06-02: Insurance Premium Deduction Authorization (if applicable)
• Form W-4P: Withholding Certicate for Pension or Annuity Payments. This form is not required. If
the form is not submitted to LASERS, your federal tax withholding will be set to the IRS default,
which is currently “Married with three allowances”.
• Form 07-01: Certication of Unused Annual and Sick Leave (submitted by your agency)
46
No retirement benets will be paid
until LASERS receives all of the required
documents. Your Disability retirement
will be eective the day the application is
received by LASERS or the day after you
terminate state service, whichever is later.
At the time of your Disability retirement,
any unused annual and sick leave will be
converted to service credit.
Earnings Limits While Disabled
If you receive Disability retirement, you
may accept employment that you can
perform with your disability. Earnings
from employment are limited to the
dierence between your nal average
compensation, adjusted for ination based
on the Consumer Price Index (CPI), and
your Disability benet. You are required
to submit a notarized annual earnings
statement to LASERS along with a copy of
your W-2s and 1040 by May 1 of each year.
These statements will be mailed to you by
LASERS and require you to detail income
earned from employment in the previous
calendar year. LASERS may suspend and
eventually revoke your disability benet if
this statement is not received in a timely
manner.
Certication of Continuing
Disability
If you receive Disability retirement, you must
complete Form MSD12: Annual Attending
Physician Statement (AAPS) once each
year during the rst ve years following
your Disability retirement, and once every
three years thereafter until you reach your
Regular retirement age. Each year LASERS
will mail the AAPS to you. This form must be
completed by a physician and returned to
LASERS within 30 business days. Failure to
comply with certication requirements will
result in the termination of your Disability
benets.
Once the AAPS is received, LASERS
may require you to undergo a medical
examination. If a medical examination
is required, LASERS will schedule the
appointment with a State Medical Disability
Board or appointed alternate physician, and
notify you of the appointment time and
place in writing. LASERS must pay the cost
of this examination. If you fail to appear for
this examination and the physician charges
a cancellation fee, you will be responsible for
this fee.
Important Note About Insurance
If you receive Disability retirement, your
agency may be responsible for paying 75
percent of your Oce of Group Benets
(OGB) health insurance premium. In order to
qualify, you must have participated in OGB
for 10 years. Please contact your Human
Resources Oce for any insurance questions.
Chris was approved for Disability retirement in 2005 and is currently receiving a Disability
retirement benet of $908.33 per month. He was working as an Electrical Specialist when he
injured his back and could not perform his normal job duties, which included heavy lifting.
He has now been oered a position as an oce manager, which is acceptable and consistent
with his disability since the position will not involve any lifting. His earnings will be limited as
follows:
603.9/568.9
2008 CPI/2005 CPI
$10,899.96
annual disability
benet
$31,560.94
(annual earnings limit)
x - =$40,000.00
average
compensation
47
Returning to Active Service (La. R.S. 11:224 and 11:225)
If you return to active state service you have two choices:
• Return to work and terminate your Disability retirement benets. You will become a
contributing member of LASERS, and any service credit accrued prior to your Disability
retirement will be restored, or
• Return to work for a six-month trial period. Your Disability benets will be suspended
while you return to work. Employee and employer contributions should be paid during
the length of the trial period. If you terminate employment during the six-month trial
period, your benets will resume without you having to reapply for Disability retirement
and employee contributions will be refunded to you. If you continue working for
six months or longer, your Disability benets will be terminated, and employee and
employer contributions will resume.
Application Process
To return to active service after disability retirement, you must submit the following to LASERS:
• Form 10-02A: Re-employment of Disability Retiree
Revised October 2018
If you return to work for at least three
years, the time for which you received
Disability benets will be credited to you
for retirement eligibility, but not for the
calculation of benets. In the event that
this occurs, your eligibility for Regular
retirement or DROP may be aected.
Chris had 10.90 years of service credit when he began Disability retirement on January 1, 2005.
He returned to work on May 1, 2005, for a six-month trial period. He continued to work past this
six-month trial period so his Disability benets were terminated, and all previous service credit
was restored. He has now worked over three years so he receives retirement eligibility for the
time which he was on Disability retirement. His total service credit is calculated below:
Eligibility Service
Credit
Computation Service
Credit
Initial service credit 10.90 10.90
Credit for time while on
Disability retirement
.40 0
Service credit earned after
returning to work
3.40 3.40
Total service credit 14.70 14.30
He currently has 14.70 years for retirement eligibility, and 14.30 years for the calculation of
benets.
48
As a Regular Member hired prior to January 1,
2011, survivor benets may be payable at your
death to your spouse and/or child(ren). If you
die while in active state service or have at least
20 years of service, and are not retired, your
spouse, minor children, and totally physically
handicapped or mentally disabled children may
be eligible to receive survivor benets.
The maximum total benet payable to all
survivors is 75 percent of your average
compensation if you have qualied surviving
children; or 50 percent to your surviving spouse,
if you have no qualied surviving children. If
there is a benet for a surviving spouse and
qualied surviving children, the surviving spouse
receives one-third of the total benet payable,
and the children receive two-thirds of the total
benet. If there is more than one surviving child,
the surviving child portion is divided equally
among all qualied children. Monthly benets
will become eective the day after death. If
your spouse and/or child(ren) are not eligible
for survivor benets, a refund of your employee
contributions wil be paid to the last
named beneciary on le with LASERS.
LASERS should be notied immediately of a
member’s death. LASERS may require survivors
to provide proof annually or at other times that
they are still legally entitled to survivor benets.
Survivor benets are not subject to Louisiana
inheritance taxes. Survivor benets are not
payable to survivors of retired members or
survivors of participants in the DROP program
(except for members in the Judicial Plan).
Children Qualied to Receive a
Survivor Benet
In order for your child(ren) to be eligible for
survivor benets, the child must qualify as a
minor child or a totally physically handicapped
or mentally disabled child.
A minor child is an unmarried child under age
18 or an unmarried full-time student under age
23. A full-time student must be enrolled in a
high school, vocational-technical school, GED
program, college, or university. Students must
attend at least 80 percent of enrolled classes
to remain eligible for benets. Full-time status
must be certied at the beginning of the school
semester and veried at the mid-way point.
The maximum total benet payable to all survivors is 75 percent
of your average compensation if you have qualied surviving
children; or 50 percent to your surviving spouse, if you have no
qualied surviving children.
Survivor Benets for
Regular Members
Hired Prior to January 1, 2011 (La. R.S. 11:471 and LAC 58.I.1901 - 1909)
(17) Photo by Wendy McGee (Please see pages 100-101)
49
A totally physically handicapped or mentally
disabled child must have met this criterion at
the time of death of the member and they must
be dependent upon the surviving spouse or
other legal guardian.
The qualied child must also meet one
of the following criteria to be eligible for
benets:
• Child of a marriage of a member
• Biological child of a female
member
• Child of a male member
acknowledged under Louisiana
law
• Legally adopted child of a
member
LASERS will pay your qualied surviving
children 75 percent of your average monthly
compensation or $300.00 per month, whichever
is greater, if:
• You are in state service at time
of your death, and accumulated
at least ve years service credit,
at least two years of which were
earned immediately prior to your
death, or
• You accumulated 20 or more
years service credit, whether or
not you were in state service at
time of your death.
Benets for minors under age 18 are paid in
care of their legal guardian under the minor’s
Social Security number. If your surviving spouse
is entitled to a benet, one-third of the benet
will be assigned to your spouse, and two-thirds
will be designated to your minor children.
Minor children over age 18 who are not
disabled, if still eligible, will be paid directly.
Spouse Qualied to Receive a
Survivor Benet
If you are married at the time of your death,
your spouse may be eligible to receive a
survivor benet. A surviving spouse without
minor children will receive 50 percent of your
average monthly compensation or $200.00 per
month, whichever is greater, if:
• You accumulated at least 10 years
service credit with two years being
earned immediately prior to death,
and you are in state service at time of
death, or
• You accumulated at least 20 years
service credit, whether or not you are
in state service at time of death, and
• You and your surviving spouse were
married for at least one year before
your death.
This is a lifetime benet regardless of whether
your spouse remarries or has other income.
Physically Handicapped or
Mentally Disabled Children
Qualied to Receive a Survivor
Benet
Your surviving physically handicapped or
mentally disabled children may be eligible
for a benet not to exceed 75 percent of your
average monthly compensation or $300.00,
whichever is greater. This benet is payable,
regardless of the child’s age, if the child is
incapacitated at the time of your death. The
child must be dependent on your surviving
spouse or other legal guardian. This benet is
payable for their lifetime. If there is more than
one qualied surviving child, the benet will be
divided equally among all qualied children,
including disabled children.
Form MSD52: Certication for Disabled Survivor
must be submitted to LASERS annually.
50
Survivor Benets (killed in the line of
duty by an intentional act of violence)
Additional survivor benets may be available for
eligible survivors of members in one of the hazard-
ous duty positions listed below. If any such member
dies in the line of duty or as a direct result of an injury
sustained while in the line of duty on active duty
status as the result of an intentional act of violence,
LASERS may pay a benet equal to 100% of your nal
average compensation to your surviving spouse and/
or minor or handicapped or mentally incapacitated
child or children. The benet is shared equally. If a
survivor is no longer eligible for benets, the remain-
ing beneciaries will have their shares adjusted
accordingly.
This benet may be available to members in
the following positions:
• Arson investigators employed by
the Oce of the State Fire Marshall
who are P.O.S.T.-certied, who have
the power to arrest, and who hold a
commission from such oce;
• Park rangers employed by the
Department of Culture, Recreation
& Tourism, Oce of State Parks, who
are P.O.S.T.-certied, who have the
power to arrest, and who hold a
commission from such oce;
• Campus police ocers employed
by any institution of postsecondary
education, who are P.O.S.T.-certied,
who have the power to arrest, and
who hold a commission as required
for employment as such ocers;
• Hospital security ocers employed
by Louisiana State University, Health
Sciences Center, who are P.O.S.T.-
certied, who have the power to
arrest, and who hold a commission
as required for employment as such
ocers;
• Investigators of the Department of
Justice who are employed in posi-
tions required to be P.O.S.T.-certied;
• Investigators of the oce of state
inspector general who are employed
in positions required to be P.O.S.T.-
certied;
• Department of Agriculture and
Forestry employees who repond
to wildres and who qualify as
Fireghter Type 2 or higher according
to the National Wildre Coordinating
Group.
• All personnel employed in a position
required to be P.O.S.T.-certied, who
have the power to arrest, and who
hold a commission as required for
employment in such positions, who
are otherwise members of LASERS
and are not members of any other
retirement system.
Alternate Distribution of Benets for
Surviving Spouse and Adult Children
There are two options for an alternate distribution of
survivor benets available if you have adult children
and a surviving spouse. One of these options may be
chosen even if you have minor children at the time
of the election, but it shall not become eective until
there are no longer any children of your current or
prior marriage who are qualied to receive survivor
benets. The benet established is based on the
age and mortality of your surviving spouse and will
terminate upon the death of your surviving spouse.
The benet is payable to the children and surviving
spouse only for the lifetime of your surviving spouse.
The rst option is available under
the following circumstances:
• You have no minor children from
either current marriage or prior
marriage,
• You have adult children from a prior
marriage, and
• You have adult children from your
current marriage.
If the above conditions are met, you and your spouse
can submit a written agreement to direct LASERS to
divide what would normally be your spouse’s benet
in any agreed proportion to your children and your
spouse. The written agreement must clearly set forth
the agreed proportionate amounts. The agreement is
automatically revoked if you and your spouse divorce.
Also, either you or your spouse can revoke the agree
-
ment by written notice to LASERS prior to your death.
51
The second option is available under
the following circumstances:
• You have no minor children
from either current marriage or
prior marriage,
• You have adult children of a
prior marriage, and
• You have no adult children from
your current marriage.
If the above conditions are met, you may
direct, in writing, the benet be split between
your spouse and adult children of your prior
marriage. The split is proportional, with your
surviving spouse receiving a share based on
the ratio of the length of your current marriage
while in state service to your total state service.
Example: If you were in state service 18
years and were married to your current
spouse nine years, the ratio would be
nine-eighteenths (9/18)--or one-half (1/2).
Your surviving spouse would receive
one-half (1/2) of the benet and the adult
children of your prior marriage would
share one-half (1/2) of the benet.
Trust for Minor Children
Any benet due the qualied surviving children
may be paid to a trust created under Louisiana
law for each child.
Lump-sum Payment
to a Beneciary
If you have less than ve years service credit, or
have no surviving spouse or qualied surviv-
ing children, your survivors are not entitled to
monthly benets. In this case, your last named
beneciary or your estate will receive a lump-
sum payment of your total employee contribu-
tions. Funds received by a beneciary are not
subject to Louisiana inheritance taxes. However,
if the funds become part of your estate, they
then become subject to state inheritance taxes.
Application Process
To apply for survivor benets, your
beneciary(ies) must submit the following
to LASERS:
• Form 03-01: Application for
Survivor Benets
• Copy of the death certicate for
the member
• Copies of Social Security cards
and birth certicates for all
survivors and the member
• Certied Copy of a Judgment
of Divorce and/or copy of
the death certicate of the
member’s former spouse (if
applicable)
• Copy of Marriage Certicates of
all survivor applicants
• Form MSD64: Student School
Certication and Release for all
student survivor applicants
• Form MSD52: Certication for
Disabled Survivor for any physi-
cally handicapped or mentally
disabled child applicants
• Form 04-05: Authorization for
Direct Deposit (required for
the spouse of the deceased
member)
• Form 06-02: Insurance Premium
Deduction Authorization
(if applicable)
• Form W-4P: Withholding Certi-
cate for Pension or Annuity
Payments. This form is not
required. If the form is not
submitted to LASERS, your
federal tax withholding will
be set as “Married with three
exemptions.”
Revised June 2018
52
As a Regular Member hired on or after January
1, 2011, survivor benets may be payable at
your death to your beneciary(ies). If you die
while in active state service or have at least
20 years of service, and are not retired, your
spouse, minor children, and totally physically
handicapped or mentally disabled children may
be eligible to receive survivor benets. If there
is more than one surviving child, the surviving
child portion is divided equally among all
qualied children. Monthly benets will
become eective the day after death. Survivor
benets are also payable to minor child
survivors of retired members or participants in
the DROP program.
LASERS should be notied immediately of a
member’s death. LASERS may require survivors
to provide proof annually or at other times that
they are still legally entitled to survivor benets.
Survivor benets are not subject to Louisiana
inheritance taxes.
Children Qualied to Receive a
Survivor Benet
In order for your child to qualify for survivor
benets, you must have at least ve years of
service credit. The child must qualify as a minor
child or a totally physically handicapped or
mentally disabled child.
A minor child is an unmarried child under age
18 or an unmarried full-time student under age
23. A full-time student must be enrolled in a
high school, vocational-technical school, GED
program, college, or university. Students must
attend at least 80 percent of enrolled classes
to remain eligible for benets. Full-time status
must be certied at the beginning of the school
semester and veried at the mid-way point.
A totally physically handicapped or mentally
disabled child must have met this criterion at
the time of death of the member and they must
be dependent upon the surviving spouse or
other legal guardian.
Monthly benets will become eective the day after death.
Survivor benets are also payable to minor child survivors of
retired members or participants in the DROP program.
Survivor Benets for
Regular Members
Hired on or After January 1, 2011 (La. R.S. 11:471.1)
(18) Photo by Tim Thomason (Please see pages 100-101)
53
The qualied surviving child must also
meet one of the following criteria to be
eligible for benets:
• Child of a marriage of a member
• Biological child of a female
member
• Child of a male member
acknowledged under Louisiana
law
• Legally adopted child of a
member
LASERS will pay your qualied surviving children
50 percent of the benet for a surviving spouse
with children (even if there is no surviving
spouse) for each child up to a maximum of two
children (see the section below on Children and
Spouse Qualied to Receive a Survivor Benet to
determine the benet for a surviving spouse). This
amount will be divided equally among all eligible
children. When one child is no longer eligible, the
benet will be redistributed among the eligible
children. A totally physically handicapped or
mentally disabled child will remain eligible for
benets, regardless of age, unless subsequent
changes in the child’s condition cause the child to
no longer be dependent.
Benets for minors under age 18 are paid in care
of their legal guardian under the minor’s Social
Security number. Minor children over age 18
who are not disabled, if still eligible, will be paid
directly.
No surviving child may receive more than one
survivor’s benet. If two benets are applicable,
only the larger benet will be paid.
Spouse Qualied to Receive a
Survivor Benet
If you are married at the time of your death,
your spouse may be eligible to receive a survivor
benet. A surviving spouse without minor
children will receive the Option 2A equivalent of
the retirement benet that would have been due
the member based upon their years of service
and applicable accrual rate (regardless of years of
service) or $600.00, whichever is greater, if:
• You accumulated at least 10
years service credit with two
years being earned immediately
prior to death, and you are in
state service at time of death, or
• You accumulated at least 20 years service
credit, whether or not you are in state
service at time of death, and
• You and your surviving spouse were
married for at least one year before
your death.
If you are eligible for Regular retirement on
your date of death, this will be a lifetime benet
regardless of whether your spouse remarries
or has other income. If you are not eligible for
Regular retirement on your date of death, this
is not a lifetime benet and will cease upon
remarriage. Benets will resume upon the death
or divorce from the new spouse.
Children and Spouse Qualied to
Receive a Survivor Benet
If you are married at the time of your death and
have a qualied surviving child/children, your
spouse and qualied child/children may be
eligible to receive a survivor benet. A surviving
spouse will receive 50 percent of the maximum
retirement benet that would have been due the
54
member based upon their years of service
and applicable accrual rate (regardless of
years of service) or $600.00, whichever is
greater, and the qualied child/children
will each receive 50 percent of the spouse’s
benet (up to a maximum of two children), if:
• You accumulated at least
ve years service credit with
two years being earned
immediately prior to death,
and you are in state service at
time of death, or
• You accumulated at least 20
years service credit, whether or
not you are in state service at
time of death.
The total benets paid to a surviving spouse
and qualied surviving child/children (as
long as the spouse and child/children are
both eligible for benets) shall not be less
than the Option 2A equivalent for the
surviving spouse. The children’s benet
will be divided equally among all eligible
children. When one child is no longer eligible,
the benet will be redistributed among the
eligible children.
Benets for minors under age 18 are paid in
care of their legal guardian under the minor’s
Social Security number. Minor children over
age 18 who are not disabled, if still eligible,
will be paid directly.
No qualied surviving child may receive
more than one survivor’s benet. If two
benets are applicable, only the larger
benet will be paid.
If you are eligible for Regular retirement on
your date of death, this benet will be paid
to your spouse until your qualied surviving
children cease to be eligible for survivor
benets, regardless of whether your spouse
remarries or has other income. When all
children cease to be eligible for a survivor
benet, your spouse’s eligibility and benet
amount will be determined based upon the
provisions for a Spouse Qualied to Receive
a Survivor Benet. If you are not eligible for
Regular retirement on your date of death, the
spouse’s benet will cease upon remarriage.
Benets will resume upon the death or
divorce from the new spouse.
Physically Handicapped or
Mentally Disabled Children
Qualied to Receive a Survivor
Benet
Your surviving physically handicapped
or mentally disabled children may be
eligible for a benet. This benet is payable,
regardless of the child’s age, if the child is
incapacitated at the time of your death. The
child must be dependent on your surviving
spouse or other legal guardian. This benet
is payable for their lifetime. If there is more
than one qualied surviving child, the benet
will be divided equally among all qualied
children, including disabled children.
Form MSD52: Certication for Disabled
Survivor must be submitted to LASERS
annually.
Trust for Minor Children
Any benet due the qualied surviving minor
children may be paid to a trust created under
Louisiana law for each child.
55
Revised January 2017
Lump-sum Payment to a
Beneciary
If you have less than ve years of service
credit, or have no surviving spouse or qualied
surviving children, your survivors are not
entitled to monthly benets. In this case, your
last named beneciary or your estate will
receive a lump-sum payment of your total
employee contributions. Funds received by
a beneciary are not subject to Louisiana
inheritance taxes. However, if the funds
become part of your estate, they then become
subject to state inheritance taxes.
Application Process
To apply for survivor benets, your
beneciary(ies) must submit the
following to
LASERS:
• Form 03-01: Application for
Survivor Benets
• Copy of the death certicate for
the member
• Copies of Social Security cards
and birth certicates for all
survivors and the member
• Certied Copy of a Judgment
of Divorce and/or copy of
the death certicate of the
member’s former spouse (if
applicable)
• Copy of Marriage Certicates of
all survivor applicants
• Form MSD64: Student School
Certication and Release for all
student survivor applicants
• Form MSD52: Certication
for Disabled Survivor for
any physically handicapped
or mentally disabled child
applicants
• Form 04-05: Authorization for
Direct Deposit (required for
the spouse of the deceased
member)
• Form 06-02: Insurance Premium
Deduction Authorization (if
applicable)
• Form W-4P: Withholding
Certicate for Pension or Annuity
Payments. This form is not
required. If the form is not
submitted to LASERS, your
federal tax withholding will
be set as “Married with three
exemptions”
56
If you retired regularly and return to state
service in a LASERS eligible position, you must
select from one of three options when you
are rehired (if you retired under Disability,
see the Disability Retirement section for
re-employment options). The selection is
irrevocable, and is eective for the full term
of your re-employment. If you return to state
service in any capacity, you will be considered a
re-employed retiree.
LASERS retirees who retired with at least
ten years of service credit are subject to
re-employed retiree provisions when returning
to work in positions including, but not limited to:
• Part time
• Work-as-needed (WAE), except under the
Department of Revenue
• Temporary
• Job appointments
• Seasonal employees
These restrictions do not apply to any member
who retired prior to June 30, 2001, was
re-employed prior to May 9, 2002, and has
remained continually employed. These options
do not apply if you are employed in private
industry or you are in a public position that is
not eligible to participate in LASERS.
Re-employed Retiree Option 1A –
50 Percent Earnings Limitation
You may elect to limit your earnings
in any scal year to 50 percent of your
annual retirement benet. The earnings
limit is calculated by taking your monthly
benet, adjusted for ination based on the
Consumer Price Index (CPI-U), divided by
two, multiplied by 12. You will continue to
receive your monthly retirement benet,
and no contributions will be paid to LASERS.
You should consider other options if your
anticipated earnings for the scal year will
exceed the earnings limit. At the end of each
scal year, your agency will report your actual
earnings to LASERS. If your actual earnings
exceed the limit, you will owe LASERS the
amount of the excess earnings. You are
responsible for monitoring your earnings limit.
Re-employed Retirees
(La. R.S. 11:416)
$54,000.00
annual
retirement
benet
215.303/195.30
2008 CPI-U / 2005 CPI-U
2 $29,700.00
(earnings limit for the
scal year)
x / =
Mary retired in 2005, and currently receives a monthly retirement benet of $4,500.00. She
returned to work in August 2008 under Option 1A, so her earnings limit for the 2008-2009
scal year is calculated as follows:
Mary’s earnings limit for the 2008–2009 scal year is $29,700.00. Regardless of when the time
is worked within the scal year, her total earnings for the scal year cannot exceed this limit.
(19) Photo by Theresa Mullins Low (Please see pages 100-101)
57
You may be exempt from an earnings limitation
under Re-employed Retiree Option 1A if you
have been retired one year, and are appointed
by the Secretary of State to ll the position of
Commissioner of Elections.
Re-employed Retiree Option 1B
If you retired with 30 years of service credit
and are at least 70 years of age, you can select
Re-employed Retiree Option 1B. You will be
exempt from any suspension or reduction
in benets so that you may receive your full
retirement benet and your salary without any
limits. If you elected to convert your unused
leave to credit at the time of retirement, it cannot
be used to meet the 30 year service credit
requirement.
Re-employed Retiree Option 2 –
Regain LASERS Membership
You may regain membership in LASERS by
repaying all benets received since you retired
plus interest at an actuarial rate. LASERS will send
you an invoice stating the total amount owed.
Once the invoice is paid in full, all of your service
credit will be restored as if you had not retired.
You will become an active member of LASERS, and
employee and employer contributions will resume.
This option is not available if you participated
in the Deferred Retirement Option Plan (DROP),
took the Initial Benet Option (IBO), or retired
with an early retirement. (Note: The 20 years
at any age retirement option is not an early
retirement.)
Re-employed Retiree Option 3 –
Suspension of Retirement Benets
You may suspend your retirement benets eective
the date of your re-employment, and become a
contributing member of LASERS. Employee and
employer contributions must be paid, and there is
no limit on earnings. Upon subsequent retirement,
your original retirement benet will resume.
As an Option 3 Re-employed Retiree, if you
work less than three years, your employee
contributions will be refunded to you. If you
work three or more years, a supplemental
benet will be calculated for the additional
employment based on your service credit and
average compensation for that time. Your benet
will resume eective the day following your
termination date. If you should die during this
period of employment, benets will be paid to
your named beneciary based on the retirement
option you selected at the time of your original
retirement.
You may be exempt from suspension of
retirement benets under Re-employed Retiree
Option 3 if you have 30 years of service credit
with LASERS, have been retired for one year,
and you are appointed by the Governor to an
unclassied position.
Application Process
T
o return to work as a re-employed retiree,
you must submit the following to LASERS:
• Form 10-02: Re-employment
of Retiree. If the form is
not submitted when you
are re-employed, you will
be re-employed under the
provisions of Re-employed
Retiree Option 3. You and the
employing agency shall be
responsible for retirement
contributions from the date of
your employment to your date
of termination. You shall be
responsible for the repayment
of all funds received from
LASERS since the date of your
re-employment.
Revised January 2017
58
Louisiana is a community property state.
All property and debts acquired during the
marriage are typically split equally, unless the
spouses have a legally binding agreement or
are subject to a court ruling to the contrary.
Retirement benets, including DROP or IBO
funds received or accumulated during marriage,
are generally considered community property.
Any contributions to a retirement plan made
during the marriage will also be viewed as
community property by a Louisiana court, and
may be subject to division. Members should be
aware that an ex-spouse might be entitled to a
portion of your retirement benet according to
that spouse’s community property interest.
LASERS requires that a legally acceptable court
order be on le before any community assets are
divided. This court order will dictate how your
benets will be divided between you and your
former spouse. If such an order is not presented
to the system, the retiree, not LASERS, will be
held responsible for the payment of funds which
may have been due a former spouse.
Prenuptial Agreements
State law allows spouses to elect to continue
under the separate property regime they had as
unmarried persons under limited circumstances.
If you and your spouse have an agreement
known as a marriage contract, marital
agreement, or prenuptial agreement, you must
provide a certied copy to LASERS. You must
also le a notarized adavit, Married Members
with Separate Property Agreements, arming
the continuing existence of this agreement.
The adavit is available on LASERS website and
should be led no sooner than 90 days prior to
your retirement date.
Retirement benets, including DROP or IBO funds received or
accumulated during marriage, are generally considered community
property. Any contributions to a retirement plan made during
the marriage will also be viewed as community property by a
Louisiana court, and may be subject to division.
Community Property
and Divorce
(20) Photo by Robin Stevens (Please see pages 100-101)
59
Remarriage
If you have been married multiple times, your
retirement benets might be split with more
than one of your former spouses. You should
contact an attorney with any questions that
you may have.
Common Law Marriages
Louisiana does not recognize common law
marriages. A member is not required to split
benets unless they were legally married.
Spousal Consent
If you select an option that does not provide a
monthly benet of at least 50 percent for your
spouse or you name a beneciary who is not your
spouse, your spouse must complete Form 04-04:
Spousal Consent, and submit the notarized form to
LASERS.
Spousal Consent is not required when
there is:
• An agreement or court judgment
to maintain separate property,
• Judgment of Divorce,
• Interdiction or court order
appointing a guardian for your
spouse (in which case, the
guardian or curator may sign), or
• If you were abandoned by your
spouse you must submit:
• A notarized adavit
attesting to the fact
that you have been
abandoned and
have taken steps to
locate your spouse.
The methods used to
locate your spouse
should be detailed in
the adavit, and
Continued
• A certicate from
the local newspaper
certifying that a
legal notice has
been run for three
days requesting
information on the
whereabouts of your
spouse; or
• A certied Court
Order declaring
that your spouse is
an absentee or has
abandoned you.
Garnishment of Pension
(La. R.S. 11:292 and 11:405)
Retirement benets or refunds of accumulated
contributions paid to a LASERS member,
former member, or retiree are generally exempt
from garnishment or court-ordered assignment
except in the case of a felony conviction or to
pay child support or to satisfy a court-ordered
community property division ordering child
support.
Revised August 2011
60
System Generated Cost of Living Adjustments
(COLAs) are granted by the Legislature. They are
funded through excess investment returns and
paid by LASERS. These COLAs are not guaranteed
and the amounts vary. When granted, they are
paid automatically to eligible retirees. No forms
are used and no action is required by retirees in
order to receive System Generated COLAs.
To be eligible for a System-generated COLA,
you must have reached the age of 60 as of June
30 of the year that a COLA is authorized by the
legislature. In addition, you must have been
retired eective June 30 of the previous year. Your
beneciary may be eligible for COLA after your
death if you would have turned 60 as of June 30
of the year the COLA is authorized, and if you or
your beneciary, or both combined, have received
benets since June 30 of the previous year.
COLAs will be limited to every other year (until the
System is 85 percent funded) and will be limited to
the rst $60,000 of benet (indexed to the CPI-U as
of July 1, 2015) based on the following chart:
Revised July 2019
Cost-of-Living Increases
(La. R.S. 11:542)
System
Funding
System earns at least
8.25%
System earns ARR
1
,
but not 8.25%
System does not
earn ARR
Less than 55% None None None
At least 55% but
less than 65%
Lesser of 1.5%
or CPI-U
2
Lesser of 1.5%
or CPI-U
None
At least 65% but
less than 75%
Lesser of 2%
or CPI-U
Lesser of 2%
or CPI-U
None
At least 75% but
less than 80%
Lesser of 2.5%
or CPI-U
Lesser of 2%
or CPI-U
None
At least 80%
Lesser of 3%
or CPI-U
Lesser of 2%
or CPI-U
Lesser of 2%
or CPI-U
1
ARR is the Assumed Rate of Return for the System, currently 7.65% for the 12 month period ending on June 30
of the previous year.
2
CPI-U is the Consumer Price Index – Urban.
It is also possible for you to self-fund an annual COLA in addition to System-generated COLAs. For more
information on this type of COLA, see the chapter on Retirement Options and the Self-Funded COLA.
(21) Photo by Emilou Butler (Please see pages 100-101)
61
You may be entitled to Medicare coverage if
you are a state retiree who has paid Medicare
tax, the spouse or former spouse of a state
employee who has paid Medicare tax, a state
retiree receiving a Disability retirement from
LASERS, or the spouse of a state Disability
retiree.
Counselors with the Louisiana Department of
Insurance Senior Health Insurance Information
Program (SHIIP) are available to answer
questions concerning Medicare eligibility,
preventative services, and Medicare cost-
savings programs. Visit www.ldi.la.gov/SHIIP or
call 1.800.259.5300 for more information.
If you have earned a LASERS benet, and are
entitled to receive a Social Security benet,
based on your earnings or the earnings of a
spouse, your Social Security benet may be
reduced. The reduction is because of federal
laws known as the Windfall Elimination
Provision and the Government Pension Oset,
which are designed to oset the amount of
Social Security benets paid to those eligible
to receive some other type of public pension.
While LASERS cannot provide you with an
estimate of your Social Security benets, you
may obtain this information from their website.
Visit www.socialsecurity.gov prior to your
appointment with them, create an account,
and print a verication letter. As of February
2014, Social Security eld oces cannot
provide these letters, so it is important to visit
their website.
Windfall Elimination Provision
(WEP)
The Windfall Elimination Provision aects the
amount of your Social Security retirement or
disability benet if you also receive a pension
from a government agency, such as LASERS.
This provision does not apply to survivors’
benets. A modied benet formula is used to
calculate your benet amount, resulting in a
lower Social Security benet.
You may be able to avoid this oset if you meet
one of the following criteria:
• You were age 62 or disabled
before 1986
• You qualied for a LASERS retirement
benet (including a reduced benet
with 10 years of service credit) before
September 1, 1985
• You have at least 30 years of “substantial”
earnings in a job where you paid Social
Security taxes. If you have between 21
and 29 years of “substantial” earnings,
you will not be subject to the full reduc-
tion.
• You repaid a refund of contributions
for service credit earned on or before
September 1, 1985 prior to application
for retirement and this repayment would
have qualied you for a LASERS retire-
ment benet before September 1, 1985.
Medicare, Social Security
Offsets,and Insurance
(22) Photo by Herb Piller (Please see pages 100-101)
62
LASERS can provide you with a letter indicating
the date of your rst eligibility for retirement
that you can submit to the Social Security
Administration. Please submit a written request
to LASERS for this information.
Government Pension Oset (GPO)
The Government Pension Oset aects the
amount of your Social Security spouse’s or
widower’s benet if you also receive a pension
from a government agency, such as LASERS.
Your Social Security benet may be reduced by
two-thirds of your government pension.
You may be able to avoid this oset if you meet
one of the following criteria:
• You were eligible to retire before Decem-
ber 1982, and you meet all of the require-
ments for Social Security spouse’s benets
in eect in January 1977
• You were eligible to retire before July 1,
1983, and were receiving one-half of your
support from your spouse
LASERS can provide you with a letter indicating
the date of your rst eligibility for retirement
that you can submit to the Social Security
Administration. Please submit a written request
to LASERS for this information.
The benet formulas are complex, so we
recommend that you contact the Social Security
Administration for a calculation of any possible
reductions.
You can also visit www.socialsecurity.gov/
gpo-wep/ for additional information.
Insurance
If you have questions regarding your health
and/or life insurance coverage, please contact
your employing agency. In the event that you
cannot obtain the necessary information from
your agency, please contact:
Oce of Group Benets
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 66678,
Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70896
Website: www.groupbenets.org
Telephone: Toll-free 800.272.8451 or
225.925.6625
Street Address: 1201 N. 3rd Street, Ste
G-159, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70802
LASERS will make the deduction of your
insurance premium in accordance with
information received from the Oce of
Group Benets. It may be a few months after
you retire before your insurance premium is
deducted from your LASERS retirement check.
Please contact the Oce of Group Benets to
determine if you must pay your initial insurance
premiums directly to them. Your premium will
be subject to possible increases or decreases
each scal year. LASERS does not have access to
your insurance records.
Health Insurance Premiums
The premiums for health insurance coverage
paid by any retiree participating in the Oce of
Group Benets program, who has transferred
service credit to the HAZ PLAN and retires
with 12 years of service at age 55 or 25 years
of service at any age, will be increased by an
amount sucient to pay for any increase in
the employer’s premiums resulting from his
retirement pursuant to such sections. There is
no increase for those who retire with 20 years of
service at any age. NOTE: The health insurance
increase is unique to the HAZ PLAN and is not
impacted by the Oce of Group Benets Retiree
Participation Schedule.
Revised June 2015
63
This chapter pertains to Hazardous Duty personnel
employed on or after January 1, 2011, and those
employees in Hazardous Duty Positions, who made
the armative choice to join the HAZ PLAN (HAZ PLAN
Members).
Please refer to the chapters on Regular Members if a
topic is not covered in this chapter.
Persons Eligible for HAZ PLAN
(La. R.S. 11:612(2) & (2.1))
The following positions qualify for the HAZ PLAN:
• Wildlife Agents of the enforcement division of
the Department of Wildlife & Fisheries;
• Wardens, correctional ocers, security
personnel, and probation and parole ocers
employed by the Department of Public Safety
and Corrections;
• Employees of the bridge police section
of the Crescent City Connection Division
of the Department of Transportation and
Development;
• Full-time law enforcement personnel,
supervisors, and administrators who are
employed with the Department of Revenue,
oce of alcohol and tobacco control, who are
P.O.S.T.-certied, who have the power to arrest,
and who hold a commission from such oce;
• Peace ocers, as dened by R.S. 40:2402(3)(a),
employed by the Department of Public Safety
and Corrections, oce of state police, other
than state troopers;
• Arson investigators employed by the Oce
of the State Fire Marshall who are P.O.S.T.-
certied, who have the power to arrest, and
who hold a commission from such oce;
• Park rangers employed by the Department of
Culture, Recreation & Tourism, Oce of State
Parks, who are P.O.S.T.-certied, who have the
power to arrest, and who hold a commission
from such oce;
• Campus police ocers employed by any
institution of postsecondary education, who
are P.O.S.T.-certied, who have the power to
arrest, and who hold a commission as required
for employment as such ocers;
• Hospital security ocers employed by
Louisiana State University, Health Sciences
Center, who are P.O.S.T.-certied, who have the
power to arrest, and who hold a commission as
required for employment as such ocers;
• Investigators of the Department of Justice
who are employed in positions required to be
P.O.S.T.-certied;
• Investigators of the oce of state inspector
general who are employed in positions
required to be P.O.S.T.-certied;
• Commissioned employees of the Harbor Police
Department of the Port of New Orleans, rst
hired on or after July 1, 2014;
• Department of Agriculture and Forestry
employees who respond to wildres and are
trained as wildland reghters, as provided in
R.S. 3:4276(9), rst hired on or after June 30,
2018;
and
• All personnel employed in a position required
to be P.O.S.T.-certied, who have the power to
arrest, and who hold a commission as required
for employment in such positions, who are
otherwise members of LASERS and are not
members of any other retirement system.
Hazardous Duty
Services Plan (HAZ PLAN)
(La. R.S. 11:611-621)
(23) Photo by Beth Segura (Please see pages 100-101)
64
Persons whose rst employment making them
eligible for membership in a state system occurred
on or after January 1, 2011,* will automatically
be enrolled in the HAZ PLAN. Persons employed
in these positions prior to January 1, 2011,* are
eligible to join the HAZ PLAN. See the chapter on
Transition to Hazardous Duty Services Plan (HAZ
PLAN) for more information on how to join.
Contribution Rate
(La. R.S. 11:62(5)(g))
HAZ PLAN Members pay a contribution rate of 9.5
percent.
Retirement Eligibility (La. R.S. 11:614)
If you are a HAZ PLAN Member, you become eligible
for retirement upon reaching one of the following
criteria:
• 12 years of service credit at age 55
• 25 years of service credit any age
• 20 years of service at any age, with an actu-
arially reduced benet (Deferred Retirement
Option Plan [DROP] participation and retire-
ment with an Initial Benet Option [IBO] are
not available to members who choose this
option). The actuarial reduction is based on
the number of months you are away from
HAZ PLAN eligibility for an unreduced retire-
ment. This reduction can be aected depend-
ing on whether you are in state service or out
of state service at the time of your retirement.
All years must be worked as a member of the HAZ
PLAN, unless you transferred your prior service into
the HAZ PLAN.
Under HAZ PLAN retirement, you will not select a
retirement option as your benets are directed by
statute.
If you are a member of the HAZ PLAN, and do not
meet the eligibility requirements described above,
you may retire with ve years of service credit at
age 60. If you retire under this option, your benet
will be calculated at 2.5 percent of your average
compensation and will be paid in accordance
with the provisions described in the chapter
titled “Retirement Options and the Self-Funded
COLA.” The retirement benet and survivor benet
provisions of the HAZ PLAN will not apply if you
retire under this option.
Benet Accrual
If your last 10 years of service were worked in a
hazardous duty position, you will receive 3.33
percent of your average compensation per year for
all years worked in or transferred and upgraded to
the HAZ PLAN.
If your last 10 years of service were worked in a
hazardous duty position and you transferred but
did not upgrade your prior service into the HAZ
PLAN, you will receive credit for your prior service at
the accrual rate at which it was earned.
If your last 10 years of service were not worked
in a hazardous duty position, you will receive 2.5
percent of your average compensation per year for
all years worked in the HAZ PLAN and upgraded
service will be paid at the accrual rate at which it
was earned (if you had accrued prior service credit
in another hazardous duty services plan at the 3.33
percent accrual rate, you maintain this accrual rate
for those years of service).
Your average compensation will be based on your
highest successive 60 months of earnings.
If you have unused accumulated leave, it will
be calculated at 3.33 percent of your average
compensation, assuming you have the requisite
last 10 years of hazardous duty service. If you
have service that was not accrued at 3.33 percent,
your unused leave percentage will be pro-rated
depending on the years of service.
* The eective date for Harbor Police at the Port of New Orleans was July 1, 2014. The eective date for Fireghters at the
Department of Agriculture and Forestry was June 30, 2018.
65
Robert had prior service as a member of the Bridge Police Plan and elected to join the HAZ
PLAN. He transferred 27.2 years into the HAZ PLAN and has now worked 2.8 years in the
HAZ PLAN. He is retiring at age 51 with 30 years of service credit. Since his last 10 years of
service were worked in a hazardous duty position, he will receive 3.33 percent of his average
compensation per year for all years worked in the HAZ PLAN. He has an annual nal average
compensation of $62,000.00, so his base retirement benet would be calculated in the
following manner:
$62,000.00
average
compensation
.0333
accrual
rate
2.80
years of service in
the HAZ PLAN
$5,780.88 per year
($481.74 per month)
x x =
Total benet = $47,940.88 per year ($3,995.07 per month)
$62,000.00
average
compensation
.025
accrual
rate
27.20
years of service as
Bridge Police
$42,160.00 per year
($3,513.33 per month)
x x =
He has decided to convert 1.8 years of unused accumulated leave so his leave benet
would be calculated in the following manner:
30.0
total years
of service
27.20
years of service as
Bridge Police
.906 (rounded to 91%)
/ =
30.0
total years
of service
2.80
years of service in
the HAZ PLAN
.093 (rounded to 9%)/ =
91% of his total leave credit of 1.8 years = 1.638 (rounded to 1.60)
9% of his total leave credit of 1.8 years = .162 (rounded to .20)
He will receive an accrual rate of 2.5% for 1.60 years and 3.33% for .20
years.
$62,000.00
average
compensation
.025
accrual
rate
1.60
years of
unused leave
$2,480.00 per year
($206.66 per month)
x x =
$62,000.00
average
compensation
.0333
accrual
rate
.20
years of
unused leave
$412.92 per year
($34.41 per month)
x x =
Total benet for unused leave = $2,892.92 per year ($241.07 per month)
$241.07
converted
leave
benet
$3,995.07
retirement
benet
$4,236.14 per month+ =Total retirement benet =
66
Limits on Final Average
Compensation
(La. R.S. 11:612(1))
When calculating your retirement benet,
the earnings used for your average
compensation may be capped in order to
avoid excessive spikes in compensation.
The earnings to be considered for the 13
th
through the 24
th
month shall not exceed
115 percent of the earnings of the 1
st
through the 12
th
month. The earnings to
be considered for the 25
th
through the 36
th
month shall not exceed 115 percent of
the earnings of the 13
th
through the 24
th
month. The earnings to be considered for
the 37
th
through the 48
th
month shall not
exceed 115 percent of the earnings of the
25
th
through the 36
th
month. The earnings
for the nal 12 months shall not exceed 115
percent of the earnings of the 37
th
through
the 48
th
month.
Disability Benets (disability
not incurred in the line of duty)
If you become totally disabled and
incapable of performing your normal
job duties, you may be eligible to start
receiving a Disability retirement benet. If
your last 10 years of service credit were in a
hazardous duty position, your accrual rate
will be 3.33 percent for all years of service
earned in or transferred and upgraded
to the HAZ PLAN. See the chapter on
Disability Retirement for Regular Members.
Susan had prior service as a member of the Bridge Police Plan and elected to join the HAZ
PLAN. She transferred and upgraded 24.4 years into the HAZ PLAN and has now worked
2.8 years in the HAZ PLAN. She is retiring at age 51 with 27.2 years of service credit. Since
her last 10 years of service were worked in a hazardous duty position, she will receive 3.33
percent of her average compensation per year for all years worked in or transferred and
upgraded to the HAZ PLAN. She has an annual nal average compensation of $62,000.00,
so her base retirement benet would be calculated in the following manner:
$62,000.00
average
compensation
.0333
accrual
rate
27.20
total years
of service
$56,157.12 per year
($4,679.76 per month)
x x =
$62,000.00
average
compensation
.0333
accrual
rate
1.80
years of
unused leave
$3,716.28 per year
($309.69 per month)
x x =
$309.69
converted
leave
benet
$4,679.76
retirement
benet
$4,989.45 per month+ =Total retirement benet =
67
Revised June 2019
Disability Benets (disability
incurred in the line of duty)
If you become totally and permanently disabled
resulting solely from injuries sustained in the
performance of your ocial duties, you may
retire with 75 percent of your nal average
compensation, regardless of your years of
service.
If your total and permanent disability is the
result of an intentional act of violence, you may
retire with 100 percent of your nal average
compensation, regardless of your years of
service.
For the details on Disability Retirement
application, certication, and continuing
benets, see the chapter on Disability
Retirement for Regular Members.
Important Note About Insurance
If you are approved for disability retirement,
your agency may be required to pay the 75
percent participation rate for your Oce of
Group Benets health insurance premium, if
you were enrolled in the OGB program. Please
contact your Human Resources Oce for any
insurance questions.
Survivor Benets (not killed in the
line of duty)
Your surviving spouse and minor or
handicapped or mentally incapacitated child
or children are entitled to the same survivor
benets as Regular Members hired on or after
January 1, 2011.
Survivor Benets (killed in the line
of duty)
If you die in the line of duty or as a direct
result of an injury sustained while in the line
of duty on active duty status, your surviving
spouse and minor or handicapped or mentally
incapacitated child or children are entitled to
survivor benets of 80 percent of your nal
average compensation. If you die in the line of
duty as a result of an intentional act of violence,
survivor benets may be increased to 100
percent of your nal average compensation.
The benet is shared equally. If a survivor is
no longer eligible for benets, the remaining
beneciaries will have their shares adjusted
accordingly.
Benets are payable regardless of the amount
of time that the deceased was a member of the
HAZ PLAN. A surviving spouse is eligible for a
benet regardless of the length of the marriage
and the benet will not cease upon remarriage.
Survivor Benets for Former or
Retired HAZ PLAN Members
Former Members
If you terminated employment prior to
becoming eligible for retirement and had at
least 12 years of service credit in the HAZ PLAN,
your surviving spouse will receive a benet of
50 percent of the monthly benet that would
have been payable to you.
If you do not have a surviving spouse, your
surviving minor child/children will receive the
same benet that applies to survivors of Regular
Members hired on or after January 1, 2011.
Retired Members
If you die after your retirement, your surviving
spouse will receive 75 percent of your monthly
retirement benet. If you do not have a
surviving spouse, your surviving minor child/
children will receive the same benet that
applies to survivors of Regular Members hired
on or after January 1, 2011.
A surviving spouse is eligible for a benet
regardless of the length of the marriage and the
benet will not cease upon remarriage.
Because your benets are directed to survivors
by statute, you will not select a retirement
option as a Regular Member would.
68
This Chapter describes how a Regular Member in a
hazardous duty position or Member of specialty hazardous
duty services plan hired prior to January 1, 2011, or a
member of the Harbor Police Department for the Port of
New Orleans hired prior to July 1, 2014, or a Fireghter in
the Department of Agriculture and Forestry hired prior to
June 30, 2018, can make an irrevocable decision to join
the HAZ PLAN. Members who have already participated in
DROP as a member of any other LASERS retirement plan or
the Harbor Police Retirement System or who retired under
the provisions of any other LASERS retirement plan and are
rehired retirees under Option 1 or Option 3 are not eligible
to join the HAZ PLAN. For the plan benets, see the chapter
about the Hazardous Duty Services Plan.
Persons Eligible to Join the HAZ PLAN (La.
R.S. 11:612(2) & (2.1))
Members who were employed in one of the following
positions prior to January 1, 2011 (unless otherwise noted),
are eligible to join the HAZ PLAN:
• Wildlife Agents of the enforcement division of
the Department of Wildlife & Fisheries;
• Wardens, correctional ocers, security
personnel, and probation and parole ocers
employed by the Department of Public Safety
and Corrections;
• Employees of the bridge police section
of the Crescent City Connection Division
of the Department of Transportation and
Development;
• Full-time law enforcement personnel,
supervisors, and administrators who are
employed with the Department of Revenue,
oce of alcohol and tobacco control, who
are P.O.S.T.-certied, who have the power to
arrest, and who hold a commission from such
oce;
• Peace ocers, as dened by R.S. 40:2402(3)
(a), employed by the Department of Public
Safety and Corrections, oce of state police,
other than state troopers;
• Arson investigators employed by the Oce
of the State Fire Marshall who are P.O.S.T.-
certied, who have the power to arrest, and
who hold a commission from such oce;
• Park rangers employed by the Department of
Culture, Recreation & Tourism, Oce of State
Parks, who are P.O.S.T.-certied, who have the
power to arrest, and who hold a commission
from such oce;
• Campus police ocers employed by any
institution of postsecondary education, who
are P.O.S.T.-certied, who have the power
to arrest, and who hold a commission as
required for employment as such ocers;
• Hospital security ocers employed by
Louisiana State University, Health Sciences
Center, who are P.O.S.T.-certied, who
have the power to arrest, and who hold a
commission as required for employment as
such ocers;
• Investigators of the Department of Justice
who are employed in positions required to be
P.O.S.T.-certied;
• Investigators of the oce of state inspector
general who are employed in positions
required to be P.O.S.T.-certied;
Transition to Hazardous
Duty Services Plan (Haz Plan)
(La. R.S. 11:620 & 620.1)
(24) Photo by Charles Poimboeuf (Please see pages 100-101)
69
• Commissioned employees of the Harbor
Police Department of the Port of New
Orleans hired prior to July 1, 2014;
• Department of Agriculture and Forestry
employees who respond to wildres
and are trained as wildland reghters,
as provided in R.S. 3:4276(9), rst hired
prior to June 30, 2018; and
• All personnel employed in a position
required to be P.O.S.T.-certied, who
have the power to arrest, and who
hold a commission as required for
employment in such positions, who
are otherwise members of LASERS
and are not members of any other
retirement system.
The decision to join the HAZ PLAN may be made
at any time after January 1, 2011. This decision
is irrevocable and may never be changed. All
members eligible to join the HAZ PLAN must
complete Form 02-18: Hazardous Duty Services
Plan Election. If you choose to stay in your existing
plan, you may change that decision at any time
prior to retirement or participation in DROP.
Any member who elects to join this plan shall, for
all purposes, be treated as an employee whose
rst eligibility for membership occurred on or
after January 1, 2011.
NOTE: Employees of the Harbor Police
Department of the Port of New Orleans have
dierent options and procedures and should
contact LASERS directly before joining the HAZ
PLAN.
Options Upon Joining the HAZ PLAN
If you are eligible to join the HAZ PLAN, your
choices are:
1. Maintain your existing service credit in
your current plan under the provisions
of that plan and join the HAZ PLAN day
forward, accruing service credit and benets
prospectively. If your joining results in an
actuarial cost to LASERS, you must pay that
cost prior to your retirement. It is impossible
to know if there is a cost and the amount of
that cost until you actually prepare to retire.
You may avoid this uncertainty by choosing
one of the alternatives below.
2. Join the HAZ PLAN and transfer all of your
service credit into the new plan. If the
transfer results in no cost to the system, you
will receive the same number of years in
the HAZ PLAN that you earned in your prior
service. If there is a cost, you may accept
the years on a pro rata basis. The time
transferred will count toward HAZ PLAN
retirement eligibility, but will be calculated
at the accrual rate at which it was earned.
3. Join the HAZ PLAN and transfer all of your
service credit into the new plan, paying the
actuarial cost so that you receive credit for
the actual number of years transferred or a
portion of those years. The time transferred
will count toward HAZ PLAN retirement
eligibility, but will be calculated at the
accrual rate at which it was earned.
4. Join the HAZ PLAN according to option 2
or 3 and pay to upgrade the prior service
credit to the 3.33 percent accrual rate. The
transferred and upgraded time will then
count toward HAZ PLAN eligibility and
benets. However, the 3.33 percent accrual
rate will not apply unless you spend your
last 10 years of service in a hazardous duty
position.
5. Keep the status quo in your existing plan,
maintaining your same contribution rate,
retirement eligibility, benet provisions, and
accrual rate.
HAZ PLAN Election Process
You must submit to LASERS:
• Form 02-18: Hazardous Duty Services
Plan Election, indicating whether or
not you are joining the HAZ PLAN If
you previously held a position that
qualied as hazardous duty, you must
submit to LASERS:
(continued on next page)
70
• Form 01-11: Certication
of Prior Employment in a
Hazardous Duty Position
To request an invoice to determine
the cost to join, transfer and/or
upgrade service credit, you must
submit to LASERS:
• Form 02-19: Application to
Transfer/Upgrade Service into
the Hazardous Duty Services
Plan
• The appropriate
nonrefundable actuarial
calculation fee made payable
to LASERS.
If you decide to pay the invoice, and upgrade
your service credit, you will accrue benets at
3.33 percent of your average compensation
for each year of upgraded service. However, if
your last 10 years of service were not worked
exclusively in a hazardous duty position,
you will only receive 2.5 percent of your
average compensation per year for HAZ PLAN
service and upgraded service will be paid
at the accrual rate at which it was earned. If
you have paid to upgrade your service and
do not meet eligibility for the 3.33 percent
accrual rate, you will not receive a refund
for your upgraded time. Any such upgrade
must be completed prior to retirement
or participation in DROP. This election is
irrevocable.
Retirement Eligibility
(La. R.S. 11:614)
If you join the HAZ PLAN, you must meet the
following retirement eligibility based on years
of service earned in the plan or prior service
that is transferred to the plan:
• 12 years of service credit at age 55
• 25 years of service credit any age
• 20 years of service at any age, with an
actuarially reduced benet (Deferred
Retirement Option Plan [DROP]
participation and retirement with an
Initial Benet Option [IBO] are not
available to members who choose
this option). The actuarial reduction
is based on the number of months
you are away from HAZ PLAN Regular
retirement eligibility. This reduction
can be aected depending on whether
you are in state service or out of state
service at the time of your retirement.
Health Insurance Premiums
The premiums for health insurance coverage
paid by any retiree participating in the
Oce of Group Benets program who has
transferred service credit to the HAZ PLAN
who retires with 12 years of service at age
55 or 25 years of service at any age shall be
increased by an amount sucient to pay for
any increase in the employer’s premiums
resulting from his retirement pursuant
to such sections until the age at which
the retiree meets regular plan retirement
eligibility. There is no increase for those who
retire with 20 years of service at any age.
NOTE: The health insurance increase is unique
to the HAZ PLAN and is not impacted by the
Oce of Group Benets Retiree Participation
Schedule.
Opting out of the HAZ PLAN
An employee who is a contributing member
of any other plan in LASERS or another state
or statewide system who would otherwise
be required to become a member of the HAZ
PLAN as a condition of employment may
elect at the time of his employment to remain
a member of such other system for which he
remains eligible for membership.
Revised June 2019
71
This chapter pertains to employees of the
Bridge Police section of the Crescent City
Connection Division of the Department
of Transportation and Development and
transferred to the Department of Public
Safety and Corrections, hired prior to
January 1, 2011 (Bridge Police). Please refer
to the chapters on Regular Members if a
topic is not covered in this chapter.
Contribution Rate
(La. R.S. 11:62(5)(f))
Bridge Police pay a contribution rate of 8.5
percent.
Retirement Eligibility
If you are a member of the Bridge Police
plan, your retirement eligibility depends on
your date of hire.
If you were hired on or before June 30,
2006, you become eligible for retirement
upon reaching one of the following criteria:
• 10 years of service at age 60
• 25 years of service credit at any age.
You must have at least 10 years of
service credit earned in a position
with the Bridge Police immediately
prior to application for retirement.
• 20 years of service at any age, with an
actuarially reduced benet (Deferred
Retirement Option Plan [DROP]
participation and retirement with an
Initial Benet Option [IBO] are not
available to members who choose
this option). The actuarial reduction
is based on the number of months
you are away from eligibility for an
unreduced retirement based on
Regular plan retirement eligibility,
not Bridge Police retirement
eligibility. This reduction can be
aected depending on whether you
are in state service or out of state
service at the time of your retirement.
If you were hired on or after July 1, 2006,
you become eligible for retirement upon
reaching one of the following criteria:
• 10 years of service at age 60
• 25 years of service credit at any age.
You must have at least 10 years of
service credit earned in a position
with the Bridge Police immediately
prior to application for retirement.
• 20 years of service at any age, with an
actuarially reduced benet (Deferred
Retirement Option Plan [DROP]
participation and retirement with an
Initial Benet Option [IBO] are not
available to members who choose
this option). The actuarial reduction is
based on the number of months you
are away from retirement based on
Regular Plan retirement eligibility,
not Bridge Police retirement
eligibility. This reduction can be
aected depending on whether you
are in state service or out of state
service at the time of your retirement.
Bridge Police
Hired Prior to January 1, 2011 (La. R.S. 11:441(F))
(25) Photo by Beth Segura (Please see pages 100-101)
72
Regardless of your hire date, you also have the
option to retire as a Regular Member (see the
chapters on Regular Members for additional
information).
If you were employed on or before June
30, 2006, but terminated state service and
refunded all of your contributions, you will
be considered a newly hired employee if you
return to state service.
Benet Accrual
As a member of the Bridge Police plan, you
accrue benets at 2.5 percent of your average
compensation per year.
• If you were hired on or before June 30,
2006, your average compensation will
be based on your highest successive 36
months of earnings.
• If you were hired before
July 1, 1986, and did not
terminate employment
and receive a refund of
your contributions, you
will receive an additional
$300.00 per year added to
your retirement benet.
• If you were hired on or after July 1,
2006, your average compensation will
be based on your highest successive 60
months of earnings.
Limits on Final Average
Compensation (La. R.S. 11:403(5))
When calculating your retirement benet, the
earnings used for your average compensation
may be capped in order to avoid excessive
spikes in compensation.
If hired on or before June 30, 2006: The
earnings to be considered for the 13
th
through
the 24
th
month shall not exceed 125 percent of
the earnings of the 1
st
through the 12
th
month.
The earnings to be considered for the nal 12
months shall not exceed 125 percent of the
earnings of the 13
th
through the 24
th
month.
If hired on or after July 1, 2006: The earnings
to be considered for the 13
th
through the 24
th
month shall not exceed 115 percent of the
earnings of the 1st through the 12
th
month.
The earnings to be considered for the 25
th
through the 36
th
month shall not exceed 115
percent of the earnings of the 13
th
through
the 24
th
month. The earnings to be considered
for the 37
th
through the 48
th
month shall not
exceed 115 percent of the earnings of the 25
th
through the 36
th
month. The earnings for the
nal 12 months shall not exceed 115 percent
of the earnings of the 37
th
through the 48
th
month.
Survivor Benets (killed in the
line of duty by an intentional act
of violence)
If you die in the line of duty or as a direct
result of an injury sustained while in the line
of duty on active duty status as the result of
an intentional act of violence, LASERS may
pay a benet equal to 100 percent of your
nal average compensation to your surviving
spouse and/or minor or handicapped or
mentally incapacitated child or children. The
benet is shared equally. If a survivor is no
longer eligible for benets, the remaining
beneciaries will have their shares adjusted
accordingly.
Hazardous Duty Services Plan
Bridge Police hired prior to January 1, 2011,
are eligible to join the Hazardous Duty
Services Plan. Please refer to the chapter
describing that plan’s benets and the options
available for past service.
Revised June 2018
73
This chapter pertains to Correctional Ocers,
Security Personnel, and Probation and Parole
Ocers employed by the Louisiana Department
of Public Safety and Corrections hired prior to
January 1, 2011 (Correctional Ocers). There
are two dierent plans for Correctional Ocers:
the Primary Component and the Secondary
Component.
Correctional Ocers hired on or before
December 31, 2001, were members of the
Primary Component. On January 1, 2002, the
Secondary Component was created. Those
hired on or after January 1, 2002, are members
of the Secondary Component. Those in the
Primary Component have the choice to remain
in the Primary Component or transfer to the
Secondary Component. The choice to transfer
to the Secondary Component is irrevocable.
Correctional Ocers who remained in the
Primary Component may elect to transfer to the
Secondary Component at
any time.
Please refer to the chapters on Regular Members
if a topic is not addressed in this chapter.
Contribution Rate
(La. R.S. 11:62(5)(b))
Members employed in both the Primary
and Secondary Components currently pay a
contribution rate of 9 percent.
HISTORICAL NOTE: Correctional
Ocers in the Primary Component
paid a contribution rate of 8.5
percent until June 30, 1989.
Beginning July 1, 1989, Correctional
Ocers pay a contribution rate of 9
percent. This change accompanied
changes in retirement eligibility,
survivor benets, and disability
benets.
Retirement Eligibility
If you are a member of the Primary Component,
your retirement eligibility depends on your date
of hire as a Correctional Ocer.
If you were hired as a Correctional Ocer on
or before August 15, 1986, you become
eligible for retirement upon reaching one of the
following criteria:
• 10 years of service at age 60
• 20 years of service at any age. You
must have at least 10 years of service
credit as a Correctional Ocer
immediately prior to application for
retirement.
Correctional Ofcers
Hired Prior to January 1, 2011 (La. R.S. 11:441 (D-E) and 11:601-606)
(26) Photo by Angell Duplechain (Please see pages 100-101)
74
If you were hired as a Correctional Ocer
after August 15, 1986, you become eligible
for retirement upon reaching one of the
following criteria:
• 10 years of service at age 60
• 20 years of service at age 50. You must
have at least 10 years of service credit
as a Correctional Ocer immediately
prior to application for retirement. If
you have service credit other than as a
Correctional Ocer, only two-thirds of
this service shall be counted to meet
this criteria.
• 25 years of service at any age. You must
have at least 10 years of service credit
as a Correctional Ocer immediately
prior to application for retirement.
• 20 years of service at any age, with an
actuarially reduced benet. (Deferred
Retirement Option Plan [DROP]
participation and retirement with an
Initial Benet Option [IBO] are not
available to members who choose
this option.). The actuarial reduction
is based on the number of months
you are away from eligibility for an
unreduced retirement based on
Regular Plan retirement eligibility,
not Correctional Ocer retirement
eligibility. This reduction can be
aected depending on whether you
are in state service or out of state
service at the time of your retirement.
Regardless of your hire date, you also have
the option to retire as a Regular Member
(see the chapters on Regular Members for
additional information).
If you are a member of the Secondary
Component you will become eligible
for retirement upon reaching one of the
following criteria:
• 10 years of service at age 60
• 25 years of service at any age.
Your last day worked must be as a
Correctional Ocer.
Benet Accrual
If you are a member of the Primary
Component, you will accrue benets at 2.5
percent of your average compensation per
year. Your average compensation will be
based on your highest successive 36 months
of earnings. If you were employed before July
1, 1986, and did not terminate employment
and receive a refund of their contributions,
you will receive an additional $300.00 per
year added to your retirement benet.
If you are a member of the Secondary
Component, you will accrue benets at 3.33
percent of your average compensation per
year for each year in that plan. Your average
compensation will be based on your highest
successive 36 months of earnings.
If you have service in both the Primary and
Secondary Component, your unused leave
percentage will be pro-rated depending on
the years of service.
75
She has decided to convert 1.8 years of unused accumulated leave so her leave benet
would be calculated in the following manner:
30.0
total years
of service
27.20
years of service in
Primary Component
.906 (rounded to 91%)/ =
30.0
total years
of service
2.80
years of service in
Secondary Component
.093 (rounded to 9%)/ =
Sue had prior employment under the Primary Component. She was hired in a position
covered by the Secondary Component on October 1, 2006. She is retiring at age 51 with 30
years of service credit. She has an annual nal average compensation of $62,000.00, so her
base retirement benet would be calculated in the following manner:
$62,000.00
average
compensation
.025
accrual
rate
27.20
years of service in
Primary Component
$42,160.00 per year
($3,513.33 per month)
x x =
$62,000.00
average
compensation
.0333
accrual
rate
2.80
years of service in
Secondary Component
$5,780.88 per year
($481.74 per month)
x x =
Total benet = $47,940.88 per year ($3,995.07 per month)
91% of her total leave credit of 1.8 years = 1.638 (rounded to 1.60)
9% of her total leave credit of 1.8 years = .162 (rounded to .20)
She will receive an accrual rate of 2.5% for 1.60 years and 3.33% for .20
years.
$62,000.00
average
compensation
.025
accrual
rate
1.60
years of
unused leave
$2,480.00 per year
($206.66 per month)
x x =
$62,000.00
average
compensation
.0333
accrual
rate
.20
years of
unused leave
$412.92 per year
($34.41 per month)
x x =
Total benet for unused leave = $2,892.92 per year ($241.07 per month)
$241.07
converted
leave
benet
$3,995.07
retirement
benet
$4,236.14 per month+ =Total retirement benet =
76
Limits on Final Average
Compensation
(La. R.S. 11:403(5))
When calculating your retirement benet,
the earnings used for your average
compensation may be capped in order to
avoid excessive spikes in compensation.
The earnings to be considered for the 13
th
through the 24
th
month shall not exceed
125 percent of the earnings of the 1
st
through the 12
th
month. The earnings to be
considered for the nal 12 months shall not
exceed 125 percent of the earnings of the
13
th
through the 24
th
month.
Hazardous Duty Services Plan
Correctional Ocers hired prior to January
1, 2011, are eligible to join the Hazardous
Duty Services Plan. Please refer to the
chapter describing that plan’s benets and
the options available for past service.
Retirement Options
Members of the Primary and Secondary
Components have the same retirement
options as Regular Members.
Disability Benets
Primary Component: If the disability was
sustained in the performance of ocial
duties of a hazardous nature, the disability
benet will be 60 percent of your average
compensation, regardless of your years of
service. If the disability was not sustained
in the performance of ocial duties of a
hazardous nature, please see the chapter
on Disability Retirement which describes
the disability benets for Regular Members.
Secondary Component: If the disability
was sustained in the performance of ocial
duties of a hazardous nature the disability
benet will be 40 percent of your average
compensation, regardless of your years of
service. If you have met the eligibility for
Disability Retirement, the disability benet
will be the greater of 40 percent of average
compensation or as provided under the
Regular retirement formula. If the disability
was not sustained in the performance of
ocial duties of a hazardous nature, please
see the chapter on Disability Retirement
which describes the disability benets for
Regular Members.
Primary & Secondary Components: If the
disability was sustained in the line of duty
and as the result of an intentional act of
violence, the disability benet may be 100
percent of your average compensation,
regardless of your years of service
Important Note About
Insurance
If you are approved for disability retirement,
your agency may be required to pay the 75
percent participation rate for your Oce of
Group Benets health insurance premium,
if you were enrolled in the OGB program.
Please contact your Human Resources
Oce for any insurance questions.
If the disability was not sustained in
the performance of ocial duties of a
hazardous nature, please see the chapter
on Disability Retirement which describes
the disability benets for Regular Members.
Survivor Benets
Survivor benets may be payable at your
death to your beneciary(ies). If you have at
least ve years of service credit, a survivor
benet will be payable to your qualied
minor, physcially handicapped, and/or
mentally disabled child or children. If you
have at least 10 years of service credit, with
two years worked immediately prior to
death, a survivor benet will be payable to
your spouse. If you are out of state service
at the time of your death, you must have
at least 20 years of service credit for your
survivors to apply for benets. If your death
did not occur in the line of duty, you and
your spouse must have been married for at
least one year for your spouse to be eligible
for survivor benets.
77
Primary Component (killed in
the line of duty):
If you have a minor or totally physically
handicapped or mentally disabled child
or children and less than ve years of
service, LASERS will pay your minor child
or children a benet equal to 60 percent of
your average compensation.
If you have a minor or handicapped/
disabled child or children and ve or more
years of service, LASERS will pay your minor
child or children a benet equal to 75
percent of your average compensation.
If you have a spouse but do not have a
minor or handicapped/disabled child, and
had less than 25 years of service, LASERS
will pay your spouse a benet equal to 60
percent of your average compensation.
If you have a spouse but do not have a
minor or handicapped/disabled child, and
had 25 years or more of service, LASERS
will pay your spouse a benet equal to 75
percent of your average compensation.
If you have a spouse and minor or
handicapped/disabled child or children,
and had less than ve years of service,
LASERS will pay your spouse and child or
children a benet equal to 60 percent of
average compensation (one-third to spouse
and two-thirds to child or children).
If you have a spouse and minor or
handicapped/disabled child or children,
and had ve years or more of service,
LASERS will pay your spouse and child or
children a benet equal to 75 percent of
average compensation (one-third to spouse
and two-thirds to child or children).
Secondary Component (killed in
the line of duty):
If you have a minor or totally physically
handicapped or mentally disabled child
or children, and less than 25 years of
service, LASERS will pay your minor child
or children a benet equal to 60 percent of
your average compensation.
If you have a minor or handicapped/
disabled child or children, and had 25
years or more of service, LASERS will pay
your child or children a benet equal to 75
percent of your average compensation.
If you have a spouse but do not have a
minor or handicapped/disabled child, and
had less than 25 years of service, LASERS
will pay your spouse a benet equal to 60
percent of your average compensation.
If you have a spouse but do not have a
minor or handicapped/disabled child, and
had 25 years or more of service, LASERS
will pay your spouse a benet equal to 75
percent of your average compensation.
If you have a spouse and minor or
handicapped/disabled child or children,
and had less than 25 years of service,
LASERS will pay your spouse and child or
children a benet equal to 60 percent of
average compensation (one-third to spouse
and two-thirds to child or children).
If you have a spouse and minor or
handicapped/disabled child or children,
and had 25 years or more of service, LASERS
will pay your spouse and child or children
a benet equal to 75 percent of average
compensation (one-third to spouse and
two-thirds to child or children).
Primary & Secondary
Components Killed in Line of
Duty by an Intentional Act of
Violence
LASERS may pay a benet equal to 100
percent of average compensation to
your surviving spouse and/or minor or
handicapped or mentally incapacitated
child or children. The benet will be shared
equally by the surviving spouse and eligible
children.
78
Department of Public Safety
and Corrections Upgrade
(La. R.S. 11:605)
The employees of the Department of Public
Safety and Corrections listed below are
eligible to upgrade all service credit earned
as a member of the Primary Component,
upon their election to join the Secondary
Component:
• Warden
• Correctional ocer
• Probation and parole ocer
• Security personnel
An upgrade of service credit requires you
to pay the system an amount which, on an
actuarial basis, totally osets the increased
liability to the system resulting from the
service credit being purchased.
Application Process
To request an invoice to upgrade
this service credit, you must submit
to LASERS:
• Form 16-03: Department
of Safety & Corrections
Upgrade Invoice Request
• A $150.00 nonrefundable
actuarial calculation fee
made payable to LASERS
If you decide to pay the invoice, and
upgrade your service credit, you will
accrue benets at 3.33 percent of your
average compensation for each year of
upgraded service. The service credit may be
updated at any time prior to the member’s
retirement including while the member
is participating in DROP and while the
member is working after DROP. If a member
upgrades service credit while participating
in DROP or while working after DROP, then
only the dierence in the original accrual
rate and the upgraded accrual rate shall
count toward the supplemental benet.
It is highly recommended that an invoice
be requested several months prior to the
date needed.
Revised April 2019
79
This chapter pertains to Peace Ocers
employed by the Department of Public Safety
and Corrections, Oce of State Police, other
than state troopers, hired prior to January 1,
2011. As dened by La. R.S. 40:2402(3)(a), a
“Peace Ocer” is any full-time employee of
the state whose permanent duties actually
include the making of arrests, the performing
of searches and seizures, or the execution of
criminal warrants, and is responsible for the
prevention or detection of crime or for the
enforcement of the penal, trac, or highway
laws of this state, but not including any elected
or appointed head of a law enforcement
department.
Please refer to the chapters on Regular
Members if a topic is not covered in this chapter.
Contribution Rate
(La. R.S. 11:62(5)(b))
Peace Ocers pay a contribution rate of 9
percent.
Retirement Eligibility
As a Peace Ocer, you will become eligible for
retirement upon reaching one of the
following criteria:
• 10 years of service at age 60
• 25 years of service at age 55
• 30 years of service at any age
• 20 years of service at any age, with an
actuarially reduced benet (Deferred
Retirement Option Plan [DROP]
participation and retirement with an
Initial Benet Option [IBO] are not
available to members who choose
this option). The actuarial reduction is
based on the number of months you are
away from eligibility for an unreduced
retirement. This reduction can be aected
depending on whether you are in state
service or out of state service at the time
of your retirement.
Benet Accrual
Your average compensation will be based
on your highest successive 36 months of
compensation. Your benet accrual rate
depends on your date of hire.
If you were hired as a Peace Ocer on or before
June 30, 2006, you will receive 3.33 percent of
your average compensation per year, even for
years not worked as a Peace Ocer.
If you were hired as a Peace Ocer on or after
July 1, 2006, you will receive 3.33 percent of your
average compensation per year for all years
worked as a Peace Ocer.
If you have service that was not accrued at 3.33
percent, your unused leave percentage will be
pro-rated depending on the years of service.
Peace Ofcers
Hired Prior to January 1, 2011 (La. R.S. 11:444(A)(2))
(27) Photo by Debbie Lerch (Please see pages 100-101)
80
Frank had prior employment but was not hired as a Peace Ocer until October 1, 2006. He is
retiring at age 51 with 30 years of service credit. He has an annual nal average compensation
of $62,000.00, so his base retirement benet would be calculated in the following manner:
$62,000.00
average
compensation
.0333
accrual
rate
2.80
years of service as a
Peace Ocer
$5,780.88 per year
($481.74 per month)
x x =
Total benet = $47,940.88 per year ($3,995.07 per month)
$62,000.00
average
compensation
.025
accrual
rate
27.20
years of service as a
Regular Member
$42,160.00 per year
($3,513.33 per month)
x x =
He has decided to convert 1.8 years of unused accumulated leave so his leave benet
would be calculated in the following manner:
30.0
total years
of service
27.20
years of service as a
Regular Member
.906 (rounded to 91%)/ =
30.0
total years
of service
2.80
years of service as a
Peace Ocer
.093 (rounded to 9%)/ =
91% of his total leave credit of 1.8 years = 1.638 (rounded to 1.60)
9% of his total leave credit of 1.8 years = .162 (rounded to .20)
He will receive an accrual rate of 2.5% for 1.60 years and 3.33% for .20
years.
$62,000.00
average
compensation
.025
accrual
rate
1.60
years of
unused leave
$2,480.00 per year
($206.66 per month)
x x =
$62,000.00
average
compensation
.0333
accrual
rate
.20
years of
unused leave
$412.92 per year
($34.41 per month)
x x =
Total benet for unused leave = $2,892.92 per year ($241.07 per month)
$241.07
converted
leave
benet
$3,995.07
retirement
benet
$4,236.14 per month+ =Total retirement benet =
81
Limits on Final Average
Compensation
(La. R.S. 11:403(5))
When calculating your retirement benet,
the earnings used for your average
compensation may be capped in order to
avoid excessive spikes in compensation.
The earnings to be considered for the 13
th
through the 24
th
month shall not exceed
125 percent of the earnings of the 1
st
through the 12
th
month. The earnings to be
considered for the nal 12 months shall not
exceed 125 percent of the earnings of the
13
th
through the 24
th
month.
Survivor Benets (killed in the
line of duty by an intentional
act of violence)
If you die in the line of duty or as a direct
result of an injury sustained while in the
line of duty on active duty status as the
result of an intentional act of violence,
LASERS may pay a benet equal to 100
percent of your nal average compensation
to your surviving spouse and/or minor or
handicapped or mentally incapacitated
child or children. The benet is shared
equally. If a survivor is no longer eligible for
benets, the remaining beneciaries will
have their shares adjusted accordingly.
Hazardous Duty Services Plan
Peace Ocers hired prior to January 1,
2011, are eligible to join the Hazardous
Duty Services Plan. Please refer to the
chapter describing that plan’s benets and
the options available for
past service.
Revised June 2018
Jonathan was hired as a Peace Ocer prior to July 1, 2006, and accrues benets at 3.33
percent per year. He is retiring at age 55 with 27.20 years of service credit. He has an annual
nal average compensation of $62,000.00, so his base retirement benet would be calcu-
lated in the following manner:
$62,000.00
average
compensation
.0333
accrual
rate
27.20
years of
service as a
Peace Ocer
$56,157.12 per year
($4,679.76 per month)
x x =
$62,000.00
average
compensation
.0333
accrual
rate
1.80
years of
unused leave
$3,716.28 per year
($309.69 per month)
x x =
$309.69
converted
leave
benet
$4,679.76
retirement
benet
$4,989.45 per month+ =Total retirement benet =
82
This chapter pertains to full-time law
enforcement personnel, supervisors, and
administrators who are employed with the
Department of Revenue, Oce of Alcohol and
Tobacco Control, hired prior to January 1, 2011
(ATC Agents). A statement from your agency
stating that you have been P.O.S.T.-certied in
your position will be required.
Please refer to the chapters on Regular
Members if a topic is not covered in this
chapter.
Contribution Rates
(La. R.S. 11:62(5)(b))
ATC Agents pay a contribution rate of 9
percent per year.
Retirement Eligibility
As an ATC Agent, you will become eligible for
retirement upon reaching one of the
following criteria:
• 10 years of service at age 60
• 25 years of service at any age
• 20 years of service at any age, with an
actuarially reduced benet (Deferred
Retirement Option Plan [DROP]
participation and retirement with an
Initial Benet Option [IBO] are not
available to members who choose
this option). The actuarial reduction is
based on the number of months you
are away from ATC Agent retirement
eligibility. This reduction can be aected
depending on whether you are in state
service or out of state service at the time
of your retirement.
Benet Accrual
Your average compensation will be based
on your highest successive 36 months of
compensation. Your benet accrual rate
depends on your date of hire.
If you were hired as an ATC Agent on or before
June 30, 2007, you will receive 3.33 percent of
your average compensation per year, even for
years not worked as an ATC Agent.
If you were hired as an ATC Agent on or after
July 1, 2007, you will receive 2.5 percent of
your average compensation per year for all
years prior to July 1, 2007. You will receive 3.33
percent of your average compensation per
year for all years worked as an ATC Agent after
July 1, 2007.
If you have service that was not accrued at 3.33
percent, your unused leave percentage will be
pro-rated depending on the years of service.
Alcohol and Tobacco
Agents
Hired Prior to January 1, 2011 (La. R.S. 11:444(A)(2)
(28) Photo by Joe Murray (Please see pages 100-101)
83
Bill had prior employment but was not hired as an ATC Agent until October 1, 2007. He is now
retiring at age 51 with 30 years of service credit. He has an annual nal average compensation
of $62,000.00, so his base retirement benet would be calculated in the following manner:
$62,000.00
average
compensation
.0333
accrual
rate
2.80
years of service as
an ATC Agent
$5,780.88 per year
($481.74 per month)
x x =
Total benet = $47,940.88 per year ($3,995.07 per month)
$62,000.00
average
compensation
.025
accrual
rate
27.20
years of service as a
Regular Member
$42,160.00 per year
($3,513.33 per month)
x x =
He has decided to convert 1.8 years of unused accumulated leave so his leave benet
would be calculated in the following manner:
30.0
total years
of service
27.20
years of service as a
Regular Member
.906 (rounded to 91%)
/ =
30.0
total years
of service
2.80
years of service as
an ATC Agent
.093 (rounded to 9%)/ =
91% of his total leave credit of 1.8 years = 1.638 (rounded to 1.60)
9% of his total leave credit of 1.8 years = .162 (rounded to .20)
He will receive an accrual rate of 2.5% for 1.60 years and 3.33% for .20
years.
$62,000.00
average
compensation
.025
accrual
rate
1.60
years of
unused leave
$2,480.00 per year
($206.66 per month)
x x =
$62,000.00
average
compensation
.0333
accrual
rate
.20
years of
unused leave
$412.92 per year
($34.41 per month)
x x =
Total benet for unused leave = $2,892.92 per year ($241.07 per month)
$241.07
converted
leave
benet
$3,995.07
retirement
benet
$4,236.14 per month+ =Total retirement benet =
84
Limits on Final Average
Compensation
(La. R.S. 11:403(5))
When calculating your retirement benet,
the earnings used for your average
compensation may be capped in order to
avoid excessive spikes in compensation.
The earnings to be considered for the 13
th
through the 24
th
month shall not exceed 125
percent of the earnings of the 1
st
through the
12
th
month. The earnings to be considered
for the nal 12 months shall not exceed 125
percent of the earnings of the 13
th
through
the 24
th
month.
Survivor Benets (killed in the
line of duty by an intentional act
of violence)
If you die in the line of duty or as a direct
result of an injury sustained while in the line
of duty on active duty status as the result of
an intentional act of violence, LASERS may
pay a benet equal to 100 percent of your
nal average compensation to your surviving
spouse and/or minor or handicapped or
mentally incapacitated child or children.
The benet is shared equally. If a survivor is
no longer eligible for benets, the remaining
beneciaries will have their shares adjusted
accordingly.
Hazardous Duty Services Plan
ATC Agents hired prior to January 1, 2011, are
eligible to join the Hazardous Duty Services
Plan. Please refer to the chapter describing
that plan’s benets and the options available
for past service.
Revised June 2018
John was hired as an ATC Agent before July 1, 2007, and accrues benets at 3.33 percent
per year. He is retiring at age 55 with 27.20 years of service credit. He has an annual nal
average compensation of $62,000.00, so his base retirement benet would be calculated in
the following manner:
$62,000.00
average
compensation
.0333
accrual
rate
27.20
years of
service as a
an ATC Agent
$56,157.12 per year
($4,679.76 per month)
x x =
$62,000.00
average
compensation
.0333
accrual
rate
1.80
years of
unused leave
$3,716.28 per year
($309.69 per month)
x x =
$309.69
converted
leave
benet
$4,679.76
retirement
benet
$4,989.45 per month+ =Total retirement benet =
85
This chapter pertains to Wildlife Agents
employed by the Enforcement Division of the
Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission
hired prior January 1, 2011 (Wildlife Agents).
Contribution Rate
(La. R.S. 11:62(5)(d))
Wildlife Agents pay a contribution rate of 9.5
percent.
HISTORICAL NOTE: Prior to
July 1, 2003, Wildlife Agents
paid a contribution rate of 8.5
percent. The contribution rate
change accompanied a change
in retirement eligibility and an
increase in the benet accrual rate
from 3.0 percent to 3.33 percent.
Retirement Eligibility (Regular
Retirement and IBO)
If you are a Wildlife Agent, your eligibility for
Regular retirement depends on your date of
hire. You must have at least 10 years of service
as a Wildlife Agent immediately prior to your
application for retirement.
If you were hired as a Wildlife Agent on or
before June 30, 2003, you become eligible for
retirement upon reaching one of the following
criteria:
• 10 years of service credit at age 55
• 20 years of service credit at any age
If you were hired as a Wildlife Agent on or
after July 1, 2003, you become eligible for
retirement upon reaching one of the following
criteria:
• 10 years of service credit at age 60
• 25 years of service credit at any age
With less than 10 years service as a Wildlife
Agent, combined with the other service credit
that you obtained, you are eligible to retire
when you meet the above requirements, but
your benet will be calculated at a lower rate.
DROP Eligibility
If you are a Wildlife Agent, you become
eligible for DROP upon reaching one of
the following criteria, providing that you
had at least 10 years as a Wildlife Agent
immediately before your application:
• 10 years of service credit at age 60
• 25 years of service credit at any age
Wildlife Agents
Hired Prior to January 1, 2011 (La. R.S. 11:581 – 592)
(29) Photo by Beth Segura (Please see pages 100-101)
86
Benet Accrual
Your average compensation will be based
on your highest successive 36 months of
earnings.
If you have at least 10 years of service credit
earned as a Wildlife Agent immediately
prior to application for retirement, you will
accrue benets as follows:
• 3 percent of your average compensa-
tion per year for all years prior to July
1, 2003
• 3.33 percent of your average
compensation per year for all years
after July 1, 2003
If you have unused accumulated leave, it
will be calculated at 3.33 percent of your
average compensation.
If you do not have at least 10 years of
service credit earned as a Wildlife Agent
immediately prior to your application
for retirement, you accrue benets at 2.5
percent of your average compensation per
year. Your unused accumulated leave will
also be calculated at 2.5 percent.
James is retiring at age 52 with 20 years of service credit as a Wildlife Agent. He has an annual
nal average compensation of $54,000.00, so his base retirement benet would be calculated
in the following manner:
$54,000.00
average
compensation
.0333
accrual
rate
6.0
years of service after
July 1, 2003
$10,789.20 per year
($899.10 per month)
x x =
Total benet = $33,469.20 per year ($2,789.10 per month)
$54,000.00
average
compensation
.03
accrual
rate
14.0
years of service prior
to July 1, 2003
$22,680.00 per year
($1,890.00 per month)
x x =
If James had not worked his last 10 years as a Wildlife Agent he would still be
eligible to retire with 20 years of service credit, but he would accrue benets at only 2.5
percent. His retirement benet would be calculated in the following manner:
$54,000.00
average
compensation
.025
accrual
rate
20.0
years of
service
$27,000.00 per year
($2,250.00 per month)
x x =
87
Limits on Final Average
Compensation
(La. R.S. 11:403(5))
When calculating your retirement benet, the
earnings used for your average compensation may
be capped in order to avoid excessive spikes in
compensation.
The earnings to be considered for the 13
th
through
the 24
th
month shall not exceed 125 percent of the
earnings of the 1
st
through the 12
th
month. The
earnings to be considered for the nal 12 months
shall not exceed 125 percent of the earnings of the
13
th
through the 24
th
month.
Hazardous Duty Services Plan
Wildlife Agents hired prior to January 1, 2011, are
eligible to join the Hazardous Duty Services Plan.
Please refer to the chapter describing that plan’s
benets and the options available for past service.
Disability Benets (disability not
incurred in the line of duty)
If you become partially disabled or incapacitated
because of illness or injury, even though not incurred
in the line of duty, and you have at least 10 years
of service credit, you may retire with 75 percent of
the retirement benet you would receive if you had
reached eligibility for Wildlife retirement.
Important Note About Insurance
If you receive Disability retirement, your agency
may be responsible for paying 75 percent of your
Oce of Group Benets (OGB) health insurance
premium. In order to qualify, you must have
participated in OGB for 10 years. Please contact
your Human Resources Oce for any insurance
questions.
Disability Benets (disability
incurred in the line of duty)
If you become totally disabled as result of an
injury received in the line of duty, you will receive
a monthly benet of 60 percent of your nal
average compensation. If the injury is the result
of an intentional act of violence, you may receive
a monthly benet of 100 percent of your nal
average compensation.
Important Note About Insurance
If you are approved for disability retirement, your
agency may be required to pay the 75 percent
participation rate for your Oce of Group Benets
health insurance premium, if you were enrolled
in the OGB program. Please contact your Human
Resources Oce for any insurance questions.
For the details on Disability Retirement application,
certication, and continuing benets, see the
chapter on Disability retirement for Regular
Members.
Forced Retirement
If the Secretary of the Department of Wildlife and
Fisheries believes that a Wildlife Agent is unable to
satisfactorily perform his duties because of illness
or injury, the Secretary can request that the Agent
voluntarily retire. If the Agent refuses, the Secretary
may request that the employee be retired, and
receive the benet to which he would be entitled.
Survivor Benets (not killed in the
line of duty)
If you die prior to retiring for reasons unrelated
to the performance of your duties, your surviving
spouse or heirs will receive the same pension
benets you would have received if you had
retired on the date of your death. If you die prior to
age 55, and had at least 15 years of service credit,
benets for your survivors will be computed solely
on the number of years of service without regard
to your age at the time of death.
Those entitled to receive a survivor benet include
your surviving spouse (until remarried) and your
minor children. If you have no surviving spouse
and no minor children, a monthly pension will be
paid to your parent or parents, if one or both of
them derived their main support from you.
88
Survivor Benets (killed in the
line of duty)
If you die as the result of an injury received
in the line of duty, the following survivor
benets are payable:
Surviving Spouse (until remarriage)
• If you had 25 years of service,
your spouse will receive a benet
of 75 percent of your average
compensation.
• If you had less than 25 years of
service, your spouse will receive a
benet of 60 percent of your average
compensation.
• If your death is the result of an
intentional act of violence, your
spouse may receive a benet
of 100 percent of your average
compensation, regardless of your
years of service.
Minor Children (if no eligible surviving
spouse)
• Four or more children — a benet
of 60 percent of your average
compensation divided equally
among them.
• Three children — a benet of
50 percent of your average
compensation divided equally
among them.
• Two children — a benet of
40 percent of your average
compensation divided equally
among them.
• One child — a benet of 30 percent
of your average compensation.
• If your death is the result of an
intentional act of violence, your
eligible children may receive a benet
of 100 percent of your average
compensation, shared equally among
them.
A minor child is an unmarried child under
the age of 18 or an unmarried student
under the age of 23. When a child is no
longer a minor, he shall receive no further
benet. The monthly pension for the
ineligible survivor will not be redistributed
to remaining survivors.
Dependent Parents
• If you have no surviving spouse
and no minor children, a monthly
pension of 25 percent of your average
compensation will be paid to your
parent or parents, if one or both of
them derived their main support from
you. The benet may be 100 percent
of your average compensation if your
death is the result of an intentional
act of violence.
Survivor Benets for Retired
Wildlife Agents
If you die after your retirement, 75 percent
of your monthly retirement benet will be
paid to your survivors in the following order
of priority:
1. Surviving spouse (until remarriage)
2. Minor children
3. Parent(s) who derived their main
support from you
Because your benets are directed to
survivors by statute, it is not necessary for
you to choose a retirement option as a
Regular Member would.
Revised June 2018
89
This chapter pertains to certain legislative
ocers and elected ocials of the Legislative
Plan hired prior to January 1, 2011. The
positions covered by the Legislative Plan are:
• Members of the Louisiana Legislature
serving prior to January 1, 1997*
• Clerk or Sergeant-at-Arms of the House of
Representatives
• Secretary or Sergeant-at-Arms of the
Senate
• President of the Senate
• Governor
• Lieutenant Governor
• State Treasurer
* Legislators elected after January 1, 1997, but
who served in one of the following positions
on January 1, 1997, and were members of a
Louisiana Retirement System are eligible to
retain
membership in LASERS:
• Legislator
• School board member
• Levee board member
• Police jury or parish council
member
• Member of a city council,
city-parish council, town
council or any alderman or
constable
• Other positions as described
in Louisiana Constitution
Article X, Section 29
Please refer to the chapters on Regular
Members if a topic is not covered in this chapter
Contribution Rates
(La. R.S. 11:62(5))
The State Treasurer pays a contribution rate of
7.5 percent.
Clerks or Sergeant-at-Arms of the House of
Representatives, and Secretary or Sergeant-at-
Arms of the Senate pay a contribution rate of
9.5 percent.
Members of the Legislature, President of the
Senate, Governor, and the Lieutenant Governor
pay a contribution rate of 11.5 percent.
All Legislative Ocers and Elected Ocials
pay contributions on their salary, expense
allowances, and overtime.
Legislative Plan
Hired Prior to January 1, 2011 (La. R.S. 24:36)
(30) Photo by Theresa Mullins Low (Please see pages 100-101)
90
Retirement Eligibility
If you serve in one of the positions in the
Legislative Plan, you will become eligible
for retirement upon reaching one of the
following criteria:
• 12 years of service credit as a member
of the Legislature, Governor, Lieutenant
Governor, or State Treasurer at age 55
• 16 years of service credit as a member
of the Legislature, Governor, Lieutenant
Governor, or State Treasurer at any age
• 20 years of total service credit at age 50,
with at least 12 years as a member of
the Legisla
ture, Clerk, or Sergeant-at-
Arms of the House, President, Secretary
or Sergeant-at-Arms of the Senate,
Governor, Lieutenant Governor, or State
Treasurer
Benet Accrual
As a Legislative Plan Member, you accrue
benets at 2.5 percent of your average
compensation, plus an additional one percent
for years of service in the Legislature, Clerk or
Sergeant-at-Arms of the House, Secretary or
Sergeant-at-Arms of the Senate, Governor, or
Lieutenant Governor. However, if you were
elected to the legislature after July 1, 2011,
and are eligible for LASERS membership
as previously described, you will accrue
benets at 2 percent of your average
compensation for legislative service earned
after July 1, 2011. The 2 percent accrual rate
does not apply to any person serving in the
legislature on June 30, 2011.
If you became a member before July 1, 1986,
and did not terminate membership and
receive a refund of your contributions, you
will receive an additional $300.00 per year
added to your retirement benet.
Your average compensation will be
based on your highest successive 36
months of earnings, including per diem,
expense allowances as provided by La.
R.S. 24:31.1 and La. R.S. 24:31.2, and any
other expense allowances provided for the
Clerk of the House and the Secretary of the
Senate, and overtime pay for Legislative
employees. However, if you were elected
to the legislature after July 1, 2011, and
hold another position of public oce or
employment within this state making
you eligible for membership in a state
or statewide retirement system, the
compensation upon which your retirement
benet is calculated shall not include
any compensation for your service in the
legislature occurring on or after July 1,
2011, and no service credit shall accrue for
such service as an elected member of the
legislature. This restriction does not apply
to any person serving in the legislature on
June 30, 2011.
Limits on Final Average
Compensation (La. R.S. 11:403(5))
When calculating your retirement benet, the
earnings used for your average compensation
may be capped in order to avoid excessive
spikes in compensation.
The earnings to be considered for the 13
th
through the 24
th
month shall not exceed 125
percent of the earnings of the 1
st
through the
12
th
month. The earnings to be considered
for the nal 12 months shall not exceed 125
percent of the earnings of the 13
th
through
the 24
th
month.
91
Service Credit Upgrade
If you are a member of the Legislative
Plan, you may upgrade service credit for
any prior service during which you were
employed by the state, any state agency,
political subdivision, or any nonprot
quasi-government entity whose funding
is derived in whole or in part from federal,
state, or local sources. You may also
purchase prior service as an elected ocial.
Application Process
To receive an invoice to upgrade
your service credit, you must
submit to LASERS:
• Form 02-14: Legislative
Upgrade Invoice Request
• A $150.00 nonrefundable
actuarial calculation fee
made payable to LASERS. If
additional upgrade options
are requested, additional
fees may be required.
If you decide to pay the invoice, and
upgrade your service credit, you will
accrue benets at 3.5 percent of your
average compensation for each year of
upgraded service. Any such upgrade
must be completed prior to retirement
or participation in DROP. If you have
participated in DROP, you may only
upgrade credit earned after DROP
participation provided that you have not
retired. This election is irrevocable.
It is highly recommended that an invoice
be requested several months prior to the
date needed.
Revised August 2011
92
This chapter pertains to members of the Judicial
Plan prior to January 1, 2011. The following
positions, hereinafter referred to as “Judges or Court
Ocers” are covered by the Judicial Plan:
• Justices of the Louisiana Supreme Court
• Judicial Administrator of the Supreme
Court and his deputies
• Judges of the Courts of Appeal
• Judges of the District Courts
• Judges of the Civil District Court for Orleans
Parish
• Commissioners of the Civil District Court
for Orleans Parish
• Judges of the Criminal District Court for
Orleans Parish
• Magistrates of the magistrate section of the
Criminal District Court for Orleans Parish
• Commissioners of the magistrate section
of the Criminal District Court for Orleans
Parish
• Judges of the Juvenile Courts for East
Baton Rouge, Orleans, Jeerson, and
Caddo Parish
• Judges of the Family Court for East Baton
Rouge Parish
• Judges of the First and Second Parish
Courts for Jeerson Parish
• Judges of the First and Second City Courts
of New Orleans, Municipal Court of New
Orleans, and Trac Courts of New Orleans
• Judges of the various City Courts
• Judges of any Parish Court
• Judicial Administrator of the Criminal
District Court of Orleans Parish and his
deputies
• Judicial Administrator of the Trac Courts
for Orleans Parish and each
Deputy Administrator
• Judicial Administrator of the Fourth
Judicial District Court for the parishes of
Morehouse and Ouachita and his deputies
Contribution Rate (La. R.S. 11:62(5)(a))
Judges and Court Ocers pay a contribution rate of
11.5 percent.
Retirement Eligibility
Judges and Court Ocers have the choice to retire
under Judicial Eligibility listed below or Regular
Rank and File eligibility as dened in the “Regular
Retirement“ chapter of the Membership Handbook.
• 10 years of service credit as a Judge or Court
Ocer at age 65
• 12 years of service credit as a Judge or Court
Ocer at age 55
• 18 years of service credit as a Judge or Court
Ocer at any age
• 20 years of total service credit at age 50, at
least 12 years as a Judge or Court Ocer
Judges and Court Ofcers
Elected or Hired Prior to January 1, 2011 (L.a. R.S. 11:551- 11:571)
(31) Photo by Wendy McGee (Please see pages 100-101)
93
• Any number of years of service credit as a
Judge or Court Ocer at age 70
• 20 years of service at any age, with an
actuarially reduced benet (Deferred
Retirement Option Plan [DROP]
participation and retirement with an
Initial Benet Option [IBO] are not
available to members who choose this
option). The actuarial reduction is based
on the number of months you are away
from eligibility for an unreduced
retirement based on Regular Plan
retirement eligibility, not Judicial
retirement eligibility. This reduction can
also be aected depending on whether
you are in state service or out of state
service at the time of your retirement.
You may choose either the Judicial option that
directs your benets to survivors by statute, or
you may choose a retirement benets option
dened in the “Retirement Options and Self-
Funded COLA” chapter of this guide (Maximum,
Option 1, Option 2A, Option 2B, Option 3,
Option 4A, Option 4B). Choosing one of these
options will aect your survivor benets.
Benet Accrual
As a Judge or Court Ocer, you accrue benets
at 2.5 percent of your average compensation,
plus an additional one percent for years of
service as a Judge or Court Ocer. If you
became a member before July 1, 1986, and
did not terminate membership, and receive a
refund of your contributions, you will receive
an additional $300.00 per year added to your
retirement benet. Your average compensation
will be based on your highest successive 3 years
of earnings.
Judge Smith is retiring at age 52 with 20 years of service credit. Her rst four years of service
credit were earned as a Regular Member, and her last 16 years were earned as a Judge. She
has an annual nal average compensation of $80,000.00, so her base retirement benet
would be calculated in the following manner:
$80,000.00
average
compensation
.035
accrual
rate
16.0
years as
a Judge
$44,800.00 per year
($3,733.33 per month)
x x =
Her total retirement benet is $52,800.00 per year, or $4,400.00 per month.
$80,000.00
average
compensation
.025
accrual
rate
4.0
years as a
Regular Member
$8,000.00 per year
($666.66 per month)
x x =
Limits on Final Average
Compensation (La. R.S. 11:403(5))
When calculating your retirement benet, the
earnings used for your average compensation
may be capped in order to avoid excessive
spikes in compensation.
The earnings to be considered for the 13
th
through the 24
th
month shall not exceed 125
percent of the earnings of the 1
st
through the
12
th
month. The earnings to be considered
for the nal 12 months shall not exceed 125
percent of the earnings of the 13
th
through the
24
th
month.
94
Disability Benets
If you become physically or mentally
incapacitated to perform your duties, you may
retire with 50 percent of the salary you were
receiving immediately prior to your Disability
retirement or the maximum retirement allowance
provided in R.S. 11:444 plus an additional one
percent for each year of service as a Judge or
Court Ocer, whichever is greater.
For the details on the Disability Retirement
application, certication, and continuing benets,
see the chapter on Disability Retirement for Regular
Members.
Important Note About Insurance
If you are approved for disability retirement, your
agency may be required to pay the 75 percent
participation rate for your Oce of Group Benets
health insurance premium, if you were enrolled
in the OGB program. Please contact your Human
Resources Oce for any insurance questions.
Survivor Benets
In the event of your death, survivor benets will
be paid according to the provisions of the law
applicable to Regular Members. This benet
cannot exceed 75 percent of your average
compensation.
If you are in state service at the time of your death,
survivor benets will be payable to your spouse
regardless of your years of service. Your surviving
spouse shall receive the greater of:
• An amount not less than one-third of the
salary or compensation which was being
paid to you at the time of death,
• An amount equal to one-half of the
retirement pay you were entitled to receive
or were receiving prior to death, or
• 50 percent of your nal average
compensation (if provisions of R.S. 11:471
are met).
Service Credit Upgrade
If you are a member of the Judicial Plan, you may
upgrade non-judicial service to judicial service
credit. You may also purchase prior service as
an elected ocial. Depending on the upgrade
option selected, this service credit may be for
computation only or both computation and
eligibility for retirement.
Application Process
To receive an invoice to upgrade your
service credit, you must submit to LASERS:
• Form 02-15: Judicial Upgrade
Invoice Request
• A $150.00 nonrefundable actuarial
calculation fee made payable to
LASERS. If additional upgrade
options are requested, additional
fees may be required
If you decide to pay the invoice and upgrade
your service credit, you will accrue benets
at 3.5 percent of your average compensation
for each year of upgraded service. Any
such upgrade must be completed prior
to retirement or participation in DROP. If
you have participated in DROP, you may
only upgrade credit earned after DROP
participation provided that you have not
retired. This election is irrevocable.
It is highly recommended that an invoice
be requested several months prior to the
date needed.
Revised March 2019
95
This chapter pertains to Judges whose
rst employment making them eligible for
membership in one of the state systems
occurred on or after January 1, 2011. The
following positions are covered by the Judicial
Plan:
• Justices of the Louisiana Supreme Court
• Judges of the Courts of Appeal
• Judges of the District Courts
• Judges of the Civil District Court for
Orleans Parish
• Judges of the Criminal District Court for
Orleans Parish
• Judges of the Juvenile Courts for East
Baton Rouge, Orleans, Jeerson, and
Caddo Parish
• Judges of the Family Court for East Baton
Rouge Parish
• Judges of the First and Second Parish
Courts for Jeerson Parish
• Judges of the First and Second City Courts
of New Orleans, Municipal Court of New
Orleans, and Trac Courts of New Orleans
• Judges of the various City Courts
• Judges of any Parish Court
Please refer to the chapters on Regular Members
Hired on or After January 1, 2011, if a topic is not
covered in this chapter.
Contribution Rate
(La. R.S. 11:62(5)(a))
Judges pay a contribution rate of 13 percent.
Retirement Eligibility
As a Judge rst taking oce on or after January
1, 2011, but on or before June 30, 2015, you will
become eligible for retirement upon reaching
one of the criteria below:
• 5 years of service at age 60
• 20 years of service at any age, with an
actuarially reduced benet (Deferred
Retirement Option Plan [DROP]
participation and retirement with an Initial
Benet Option [IBO] are not available
to members who choose this option).
The actuarial reduction is based on the
number of months you are away from
eligibility for an unreduced retirement.
Judges
Taking oce on or After January 1, 2011 (La. R.S. 11:441(A)(2)(b) and 11:444 (A)(1)(a)(ii))
(32) Photo by Jim Shaw (Please see pages 100-101)
96
As a Judge rst taking oce on or after
July 1, 2015, you will become eligible for
retirement upon reaching one of the criteria
below:
NOTE: Your LASERS Annual Account
Statement will identify you as “Judicial
Employee 3,” and you will have these
retirement eligibilities.
• 5 years of service at age 62
• 20 years of service at any age, with an
actuarially reduced benet (Deferred
Retirement Option Plan [DROP]
participation and retirement with an
Initial Benet Option [IBO] are not
available to members who choose
this option). The actuarial reduction is
based on the number of months you
are away from Regular retirement
eligibility.
Benet Accrual
As a Judge, you accrue benets at 2.5
percent of your average compensation,
plus an additional one percent for years
of service as a Judge. Your average
compensation will be based on your
highest successive 60 months of earnings.
Limits on Final Average
Compensation
When calculating your retirement benet,
the earnings used for your average
compensation may be capped in order to
avoid excessive spikes in compensation.
The earnings to be considered for the 13
th
through the 24
th
month shall not exceed
115 percent of the earnings of the 1
st
through the 12
th
month. The earnings to
be considered for the 25
th
through the 36
th
month shall not exceed 115 percent of
the earnings of the 13
th
through the 24
th
month. The earnings to be considered for
the 37
th
through the 48
th
month shall not
exceed 115 percent of the earnings of the
25
th
through the 36
th
month. The earnings
for the nal 12 months shall not exceed 115
percent of the earnings of the 37
th
through
the 48
th
month.
Revised March 2016
97
The following information pertains to law clerks
of a Judge or Justice of an Appellate Court hired
prior to January 1, 2011 (Law Clerks). Please refer
to the chapters on Regular Members if a topic is
not covered in this chapter.
Contribution Rates
(La. R.S. 11:62(5)(e))
Law Clerks hired on or before June 30, 2006, pay
a contribution rate of 7.5 percent.
Law Clerks hired on or after July 1, 2006, pay a
contribution rate of 8 percent.
Retirement Eligibility
As a Law Clerk, you will become eligible for
retirement upon reaching one of the
following criteria:
• 10 years of service credit as a Law Clerk at
age 65
• 12 years of service credit as a Law Clerk at
age 55
• 18 years of service credit as a Law Clerk at
any age
• 20 years of total service credit at age 50,
with at least 12 years as a Law Clerk
• Any number of years of service credit as a
Law Clerk at age 70
• 20 years of service at any age, with an
actuarially reduced benet (Deferred
Retirement Option Plan [DROP]
participation and retirement with an Initial
Benet Option [IBO] are not available to
members who choose this option). The
actuarial reduction is based on the number
of months you are away from eligibility
for an unreduced retirement based on
Regular Plan retirement eligibility, not
Law Clerk retirement eligibility. This
reduction can be aected depending on
whether you are in state service or out of
state service at the time of your retirement.
You also have the option to retire as a Regular
Member (see the chapters on Regular Members
for additional information).
Benet Accrual
As a Law Clerk, you accrue benets at 2.5 percent
of your average compensation per year.
• If you were hired on or before June 30,
2006, your average compensation will
be based on your highest successive 36
months of earnings.
• If you were hired before July
1, 1986, and did not terminate
employment, and receive a
refund of your contributions,
you will receive an additional
$300.00 per year added to your
retirement benet.
• If you were hired on or after July 1, 2006,
your average compensation will be based
on your highest successive 60 months of
earnings.
Appellate Law Clerks
Hired Prior to January 1, 2011 (La. R.S. 11:551 - 11:571)
(33) Photo by Robin Stevens (Please see pages 100-101)
98
Limits on Final Average
Compensation
(La. R.S. 11:403(5))
When calculating your retirement benet,
the earnings used for your average
compensation may be capped in order to
avoid excessive spikes in compensation.
If hired on or before June 30, 2006: The
earnings to be considered for the 13
th
through the 24
th
month shall not exceed
125 percent of the earnings of the 1
st
through the 12
th
month. The earnings to be
considered for the nal 12 months shall not
exceed 125 percent of the earnings of the
13
th
through the 24
th
month.
If hired on or after July 1, 2006: The
earnings to be considered for the 13
th
through the 24
th
month shall not exceed
115 percent of the earnings of the 1
st
through the 12
th
month. The earnings to
be considered for the 25
th
through the 36
th
month shall not exceed 115 percent of
the earnings of the 13
th
through the 24
th
month. The earnings to be considered for
the 37
th
through the 48
th
month shall not
exceed 115 percent of the earnings of the
25
th
through the 36
th
month. The earnings
for the nal 12 months shall not exceed 115
percent of the earnings of the 37
th
through
the 48
th
month.
Revised March 2016
99
Your Rights as a LASERS Member
As a member of the Louisiana State Employees’
Retirement System, you have certain rights and
protections. All members are entitled to:
• Examine applicable retirement plan
documents, such as annual reports, without
charge in LASERS oces.
• Obtain copies of plan documents and other
plan information upon written request to the
Executive Director. Reasonable charges will be
made for making copies.
• Receive a copy of LASERS annual nancial
summary called Summary Annual Report.
• Receive the System’s quarterly newsletter,
LASERS BEAM.
• Obtain a statement of your earliest retirement
date, and an estimate of your benets.
Estimates are made no earlier than 18 months
prior to retirement. Please submit Form 5-01,
Request for Retirement Benet Estimate.
• Make an appointment to meet with a LASERS
Retirement Benets Analyst.
Garnishment
A member of LASERS who is convicted of a felony
oense related to their oce that occurred on or
after July 1, 2010, may have their pension garnished.
Falsication of Records
State law penalizes anyone who attempts or
assists in an attempt to defraud LASERS. Whoever
knowingly makes false statements, falsies, or
permits to be falsied any record(s) in an attempt
to defraud LASERS shall be ned not more than
$500.00, imprisoned not more than six months, or
both.
LASERS Contact Information
You may contact LASERS at the following numbers:
Baton Rouge area: 225.922.0600 /
Toll free: 800.256.3000
Physical Address: 8401 United Plaza
Boulevard, First Floor,
Baton Rouge, LA 70809
Mailing Address: P. O. Box 44213,
Baton Rouge, LA
70804-4213
Download map of United Plaza (433 KB)
Directions to LASERS
LASERS is located in Baton Rouge at 8401 United
Plaza Boulevard, which is just o of Essen Lane
between the I-12 and I-10 interstates. United Plaza
Boulevard is a U-shaped street intersecting Essen
Lane in two places. Both intersections have a trac
light, however, we are most easily accessed by
turning onto United Plaza at the intersection nearest
I-12. LASERS is located in the Louisiana Retirement
System Building, which is the rst building on the
left from that intersection. Oce hours are 8:00 a.m.
to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Revised June 2013
Your Rights and Duties
as a LASERS Member
(34) Photo by Robin Stevens (Please see pages 100-101)
100
Photo Credits
The photos featured within the Member’s Guide to Retirement were selected from a Photo
Submission Contest held at LASERS. Each photographer is either a LASERS employee,
member, or beneciary. Thank you to all of our members and retirees for submiing
photographs in the competition.
Cover & Back Cover – “Cajun Pathway” by Robin Stevens. Robin is an active member employed by the Louisiana
Workforce Commission.
(1) – “Bayou Dreaming” by Robin Stevens features scenery on a swamp boat tour in the Slidell area. Robin is an active
member employed by the Louisiana Workforce Commission.
(2) – “Kite” by Jeanie Rhea features the Louisiana State Capitol in Baton Rouge. Jeanie is a retired member from the
Department of Children and Family Services.
(3) – “Bayou Dreaming 2” by Robin Stevens features scenery on a swamp boat tour in the Slidell area. Robin is an
active member employed by the Louisiana Workforce Commission.
(4) – “Cajun Pathway” by Robin Stevens. Robin is an active member employed by the Louisiana Workforce
Commission.
(5) – “Downtown Baton Rouge” by Theresa Mullins Low was taken in the downtown area of Baton Rouge. Theresa is
an active member employed by the Louisiana Workforce Commission.
(6) – “Lie in Wait” by Robin Stevens. Robin is an active member employed by the Louisiana Workforce Commission.
(7) – Photo by Carol Roberts features a beautiful Magnolia taken in Oak Grove, LA. Carol is an active member
employed by the Department of Public Safety.
(8) – “Audubon Bridge” by Datha Buriege was taken in St. Francisville, Louisiana. Datha is an active member
employed by the Department of Public Safety & Corrections, Public Safety Services Oce of Motor Vehicles.
(9) – “Navigation Butteries” by Beth Segura was taken at The Blus on Thompson Creek in St. Francisville, Louisiana.
Beth is an active member employed by the Department of Health and Hospitals.
(10) – “MS Cruise 2015” by Mark Fradella features a classic steam ship navigating the Mississippi River. Mark is an
active member employed by the Department of Corrections.
(11) – Photo by Cindy Liner features animal life and fall colors at the Lake Claiborne State Park. Cindy is an active
member employed by the LA Tech University Division of Nursing.
(12) – “CF Lake” by Joey Black was taken at Caddo Lake. Joey is an active member employed by the Imperial
Calcasieu, Human Services Authority.
(13) – “The Oaks Plantation” by Cynthia McKinney was taken at the Oaks Plantation. Cythia is an active member
employed by the University of Louisiana at Monroe.
(14) – Photo by Beth Segura features a tractor moving round hay bales from pasture to storage to feeding . Beth is
an active member employed by the Department of Health and Hospitals.
(15) – Photo by Gregory Penan features indigo at the Myrtles Plantation. Gregory is a retired member from the
Department of Health and Hospitals.
(16) – “Steam Boat” by Mark Steudlein features a classic steam boat navigating the Mississippi River. Mark is an
active member employed by the Division of Administration, Oce of Technology Services.
101
(17) – “The Myrtles” by Wendy McGee, features a plantation in St. Francisville, LA. Wendy is an active member
employed by the Department of Children and Family Services.
(18) – “Bayou Rapides” by Timothy Thomason was taken at the Branch of Bayou Rapides, Alexandria. Timothy is an
active member employed by Louisiana Workforce Commission.
(19) – “Shrimping in Cocodrie” by Theresa Mullins Low features a shrimp boat in Cocodrie. Theresa is a retired
member from the Department of Children and Family Services.
(20) – “Mandeville Sailboat” by Robin Stevens features a sailboat navigating through Lake Pontchartrain. Robin is
an active member employed by the Louisiana Workforce Commission.
(21) – Photo by Emilou Butler was taken at Jimmie Davis State Park. Emilou is an active member employed by
Jimmie Davis State Park.
(22) – Photo by Herb Piller. Two images of the Mississippi River Levee in St. James and East Feliciana parishes were
photoshopped together. Herb Piller is an active member employed by the Department of Transportation and
Development.
(23) – “Gator” by Beth Segura features an alligator at The Blus on Thompson Creek in St. Francisville, LA. Beth is an
active member employed by the Department of Health and Hospitals.
(24) – Photo by Charles Poimboeuf was taken in Morgan City, LA. Charles is a retired member from the
Department of Health and Hospitals, Bureau of Protective Services.
(25) – “Beautiful Sunrise” by Beth Segura was taken traveling over the Horace Wilkinson Bridge. Beth is an active
member employed by the Department of Health and Hospitals.
(26) – Photo by Angell Duplechain features a highway stripe taken in Bunkie, LA. Angell is an active member
employed by the Department of Environmental Quality.
(27) – Photo by Debbie Lerch features a lighthouse taken in Madisonville, LA. Debbie is an active member
employed at Southeastern Louisiana University.
(28) – Photo by Joe Murray features the Old Mississippi River Bridge taken during an inspection of the structure’s
piers o of US 190. Joe is an active member employed by the Department of Transportation and Development.
(29) – “Turtle” by Beth Segura features a turtle at The Blus on Thompson Creek in St. Francisville, LA. Beth is an
active member employed by the Department of Health and Hospitals.
(30) – “Highway to Middendorf’s” by Theresa Mullins Low features egrets creating an almost parallel line with the
highway, taken below Interstate 55 at Middendorf’s. Theresa is a retired member from the Department of Children
and Family Services.
(31) – “Oak Alley 8” by Wendy McGee was taken at the Oak Alley Plantation in Vacherie, Louisiana. Wendy is an
active member employed by the Department of Children and Family Services.
(32) – Photo by James Shaw was taken in the skies over Southeast Louisiana. James is an active member
employed by the Department of Agriculture and Forestry.
(33) – “Bayou Highway” by Robin Stevens features scenery on a swamp boat tour in the Slidell area. Robin is an
active member employed by the Louisiana Workforce Commission.
(34) – “Mandeville Sunset” by Robin Stevens was taken in Mandeville, LA. Robin is an active member employed by
the Louisiana Workforce Commission.
This public document was published at a total cost of ________. _______ copies of this public document were
published in this _______ printing at a cost of _______. The total cost of all printings of this document,
including reprints is _________. This document was published by the Louisiana State Employees’ Retirement
System, P.O. Box 44213, Baton Rouge, LA 70804-4213, to disseminate plan benet information to its members
and to Louisiana policymakers under authority of La. R.S. 11:511 et seq. This material was printed in
accordance with the standards for printing by state agencies established pursuant to La. R.S. 43:31.
Photo by Robin Stevens (Please see pages 100-101)
