IRS Form 1099-R’s for 2020 will be arriving soon in the mail. To read more on your Form 1099-R, click here.

Our office will be closed in observance of Martin Luther King Jr.’s Birthday on Monday, January 18, 2021. We will return to normal business hours on Tuesday, January 19, 2021.

Our office will be closed in observance of Christmas Eve and Christmas Day on Thursday, December 24, 2020 and Friday, December 25, 2020. We will return to normal business hours on Monday, December 21, 2020.

We will also be closed on Thursday, December 31, 2020 and Friday, January 1, 2021 in observance of New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day respectively. We will return to normal business hours on Monday, January 4, 2021.

On behalf of the LSERS’ Board of Trustees and Staff, we wish you a Safe and Happy Holiday Season.

The Public Retirement Systems’ Actuarial Committee (PRSAC) approved the Louisiana School Employees’ Retirement System (LSERS) June 30, 2020 valuation which included the employer contribution rate of 28.7% effective July 1, 2021.  This is the same as the current year rate.
 

The member contribution rates for FY2021-22 will remain at 7.5% for members hired before July 1, 2010 and 8.0% for new members with first state service on or after July 1, 2010.  Click here for a copy of signed memo to Superintendents, Directors, Business Managers, Human Resource Directors, and IT Directors of all LSERS Employing Agencies.

If you have any questions, please contact Chenfei Zhou, LSERS Assistant Director, at 225.925.6492 or via email at czhou@lsers.net

LSERSWeb is scheduled for maintenance and upgrades on Monday, December 7, 2020 6 a.m. – 9 a.m. The website will not be available for access during that time. Thank you for your patience with us.

Our office will be closed in observance of Thanksgiving and Acadian Day on Thursday, November 26, 2020 and Friday, November 27, 2020. We will resume normal business hours on Monday, November 30, 2020.

LSERS’ Office will be closing Wednesday, October 28, 2020 at noon due to inclement weather conditions.

Our office will be closed Wednesday, November 11, 2020 in honor of Veterans Day. We will resume normal business hours on Thursday, November 12, 2020.

Our office will be closed Tuesday, November 3, 2020 due to Election day. We will resume normal business hours on Wednesday, November 4, 2020.

LSERS’ Office will be closed on Friday, October 9, 2020 due to inclement weather conditions.

The Louisiana School Employees’ Retirement System (LSERS) ended the 2019-20 fiscal year on June 30 with 1.96 billion in its valuation of assets, and an actuarial annual return of 4.61%. The projected DROP rate is 4.11% for those in the old DROP program (eligible for DROP or IBRP and retired before 1/1/2004). Additionally, the system’s funded ratio was 74.14% with a discount rate of 7%.

The LSERS Board of Trustees adopted the actuary’s recommended employer contribution rate of 28.7% for Fiscal Year 2021-22, which the same rate as the current year.  This adopted rate will go before the Public Retirement Systems’ Actuarial Committee (PRSAC) for its consideration. PRSAC will make the final decision later in the current fiscal year. Unless the legislature adopts changes, this will be the employer’s contribution rate effective 7/1/2021. LSERS will notify all employers of the final decision on the rate after the PRSAC meeting.

If you have any questions, please contact Chenfei Zhou, LSERS Assistant Director, at 225.925.6492 or via email at czhou@lsers.net.

Our office will be closed in honor of Labor Day on Monday, September 7, 2020. We will return to normal business hours on Tuesday, September 8, 2020.

LSERS’ Office will be closed on Monday, August 24, 2020 due to inclement weather conditions.

Due to the pending severe weather associated with Hurricane Laura, LSERS will be closed Wednesday, August 26, 2020 and Thursday, August 27, 2020.  All scheduled meetings and on-site customer service will be suspended and rescheduled for a later date.

If your school system is experiencing a shortage of qualified bus operators and this shortage has been certified to the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE), state law allows the hiring of a retired bus operator to fill this shortage.  Click here for a copy of the memo for details about the August 31, 2020 deadline.  For more information about the return-to-work requirements, refer to Fact Sheet 18.

Please remember that all school systems must complete an annual questionnaire covering the period through the preceding fiscal year regarding elimination of positions through privatizing, outsourcing, contracting the service with a private employer, or any other means. The Annual Privatization Questionnaire is now available online. The information contained within the questionnaire should be certified by the School System Superintendent and returned to LSERS on or before October 1, 2020.

If you have any questions, please contact LaQuinta Jordan, LSERS’ Internal Auditor, at 225.925.7492 or via email ljordan@lsers.net.

LSERS’ office and remote services will be closed in honor of Independence Day on Friday, July 3, 2020. Normal business hours will resume on Monday, July 6, 2020.

LSERS’ office will resume in-house member services on Tuesday, June 9, 2020. Please understand that your visiting experience will not be the same as it was prior to the COVID-19 pandemic as we will be cautious regarding everyone’s health and safety. Please click HERE for further details.

LSERS’ office and remote services will be closed in honor of National Memorial Day on Monday, May 25, 2020. Normal business hours will resume on Tuesday, May 26, 2020.

LSERS’ office and remote services will be closed in honor of Good Friday, April 10, 2020. Normal business hours will resume on Monday, April 13, 2020.

The LSERS team recognizes that the global pandemic resulting from the Coronavirus is creating uncertainty and concern among our members. We want to reassure you that your benefits are safe, and we are fully operational. 

LSERS is a long-term institutional investor with a highly diversified investment portfolio designed to withstand the type of financial market stress brought on by the Coronavirus.  We are well equipped to manage through this challenging period, and we will continue to fund member benefit payments. Furthermore, your retirement benefits are constitutionally guaranteed.

We recognize the severity of this situation and are focused on issuing payments without interruption.  Our retirement team is here to address any questions or concerns you may have as we work through this event together. 

For more information, visit our website at www.lsers.net.  

It is LSERS’ top priority to protect our membership’s health and safety. In response to the proclamation from Gov. Edwards regarding coronavirus (COVID-19) on March 13, 2020, LSERS is making efforts to reduce the amount of face-to-face public interaction.

To help slow the rise of COVID-19, we encourage members to contact us by phone or email during our normal business hours. LSERS’ building will be temporarily closed to visitors effective March 16, 2020.

LSERS’ online service is available for our membership 24/7. To register for online access, go to www.lsers.net > Login > Member Registration.

LSERS will continue to monitor the developments and safety recommendations related to COVID-19 and provide updates as needed.

*LSERS’ Business Continuity Plan is in place and these temporary changes will not impact payment of monthly benefits or scheduled DROP/IBRP withdrawals.

Telephone 225.925.6484, Toll-free 1.800.256.3718

Office Hours: 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday-Friday

Our office will be closed in observance of the Mardi Gras holiday on Tuesday, February 25, 2020. We will return to normal business hours on Wednesday, February 26, 2020.

IRS Form 1099-R’s for 2019 will be arriving soon in the mail. To read more on your Form 1099-R, click here.

Our office will be closed in observance of the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday on Monday, January 20, 2020. We will return to normal business hours on Tuesday, January 21, 2020. 

Our office will be closed in observance of Inauguration Day on Monday, January 13, 2020. We will return to normal business hours on Tuesday, January 14, 2020. 

The Public Retirement Systems’ Actuarial Committee (PRSAC) approved the Louisiana School Employees’ Retirement System (LSERS) June 30, 2019 valuation which included the employer contribution rate of 28.7% effective July 1, 2020.  This is a 0.7 reduction from the current FY2019-20 employer rate of 29.4%

The member contribution rates for FY2020-21 will remain at 7.5% for members hired before July 1, 2010 and 8.0% for new members with first state service on or after July 1, 2010.  Click here for a copy of signed memo to Superintendents, Directors, Business Managers, Human Resource Directors, and IT Directors of all LSERS Employing Agencies.

If you have any questions, please contact Chenfei Zhou, LSERS Assistant Director, at 225.925.6492 or via email at czhou@lsers.net.

Our office will be closed in observance of Christmas Eve and Christmas Day on Tuesday, December 24, 2019 and Wednesday, December 25, 2019. We will return to normal business hours on Thursday, December 26, 2019.

We will also be closed on Tuesday, December 31, 2019 and Wednesday, January 1, 2020 in observance of New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day respectively. We will return to normal business hours on Thursday, January 2, 2020.

On behalf of the LSERS’ Board of Trustees and Staff, we wish you a Safe and Happy Holiday Season.

Our office will be closed in observance of Thanksgiving and Acadian Day on Thursday, November 28, 2019 and Friday, November 29, 2019. We will return to normal business hours on Monday, December 2, 2019.

LSERS’ will be closed in observance of Veteran’s Day on Monday, November 11, 2019. We will resume normal business hours on Tuesday, November 12, 2019.

Effective January 1, 2020, DROP/IBRP LA Members (1^st eligible to retire 1/1/2004 and after), will have their DROP/IBRP accounts managed by Empower Retirement. Click here to find details.

The Louisiana School Employees’ Retirement System (LSERS) ended the 2018-19 fiscal year on June 30 with 1.96 billion in its valuation of assets, and an actuarial annual return of 5.37%. The projected DROP rate is 4.87% for those in the old DROP program (eligible for DROP or IBRP and retired before 1/1/2004). Additionally, the system’s funded ratio was 74.39% with a discount rate of 7%.

The LSERS Board of Trustees adopted the actuary’s recommended employer contribution rate of 28.7% for Fiscal Year 2020-21.  This is a 0.7% reduction from the current 2019-20 employer rate of 29.4% This adopted rate will go before the Public Retirement Systems’ Actuarial Committee (PRSAC) for its consideration. PRSAC will make the final decision later in the current calendar year. Unless the legislature adopts changes, this will be the employer’s contribution rate effective 7/1/2020. LSERS will notify all employers of the final decision on the rate after the PRSAC meeting.

If you have any questions, please contact Chenfei Zhou, LSERS Assistant Director, at 225.925.6492 or via email at czhou@lsers.net.

Our office will be closed in observance of Labor Day on Monday, September 2, 2019 and will return to normal business hours on Tuesday, September 3, 2019.

Please remember that all school systems must complete an annual questionnaire covering the period through the preceding fiscal year regarding elimination of positions through privatizing, outsourcing, contracting the service with a private employer, or any other means. The Annual Privatization Questionnaire is now available online. The information contained within the questionnaire should be certified by the School System Superintendent and returned to LSERS on or before October 1, 2019.

If you have any questions, please contact LaQuinta Jordan, LSERS’ Internal Auditor, at 225.925.7492 or via email ljordan@lsers.net.

LSERS Web is temporarily down for updates.
We plan to have the LSERS Web back up this afternoon.
For help during this time, please contact us at 225-925-6484 or 1-800-256-3718.
For technical help call 225-925-7750.

LSERS’ Office will be closed on Friday, July 12, 2019 due to inclement weather conditions.

This is to advise the public that Tropical Storm Barry has forced the previously-scheduled July 15, 2019, meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Louisiana School Employees’ Retirement System (LSERS) to be re-scheduled. That meeting will now be held Tuesday, July 16, starting at 9:00am, in Room 100 of the LSERS Office, located at 8660 United Plaza Blvd., Baton Rouge, LA 70809.

This notice authorized by Charles P. Bujol, Executive Director, LSERS.

Our office will be closed on Thursday, July 4, 2019 and Friday, July 5, 2019 for Independence Day. Our office will resume normal business hours on Monday, July 8, 2019.

If your school system is experiencing a shortage of qualified bus operators and this shortage has been certified to the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE), state law allows the hiring of a retired bus operator to fill this shortage.  Click here for a copy of the memo for details about the September 1, 2019 deadline.  For more information about the return-to-work requirements, refer to Fact Sheet 18.

Our office will be closed in observance of Memorial Day on May 27, 2019 and will return to normal business hours on Tuesday, May 28, 2019.

Due to inclement weather our office will be closed, Thursday, April 18th.  All scheduled meetings and on-site customer service are expected to resume on Monday, April 22nd at 8:00 AM.

Louisiana School Employees’ Retirement System (LSERS) seeks a qualified applicant who will serve as chief legal counsel who will perform highly responsible and specialized professional legal and administrative duties such as providing legal and administrative advice on laws, rules, executive orders, policies, procedures, contracts, litigation, legislation and objectives to the Board of Trustees and to the staff.

Anticipated salary range shall be commensurate with experience and qualifications.

All applicants must currently be in good standing with the Louisiana Bar Association and have at least five years’ experience as an attorney.

Applicants must submit a letter of application, two letters of reference, and a resume that includes answers to the following questions:

1. Are you admitted to practice law in the State Courts of Louisiana and are you in good standing with the Louisiana Bar Association?
2. Do you possess at least five years’ experience as an attorney?
3. Do you have experience in drafting and monitoring legislation?
4. Did you provide two letters of reference?
5. Can we contact your current employer for an employment reference?
6. What is your preferred salary range?

Letter of application, resume, and two letters of reference should be submitted to Liz Guidry at LSERS’ Human Resources via email, U.S. mail, or by hand, by close of business on May 6, 2019.

For further information, contact Liz Guidry, HR Specialist, at 225.925.1801 or lguidry@lsers.net.

Louisiana School Employees’ Retirement System
Human Resources
Post Office Box 44516
Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70804-4516

Our office will be closed on the following date in observance of Good Friday: Friday, April 19, 2019.

Our office will be closed on the following date in observance of Mardi Gras:
Tuesday, March 5, 2019
We will return to normal business hours on Wednesday, March 6, 2019.

Our office will be closed the on following date in observance of the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday: Monday, January 21, 2019. We will be open on Tuesday, January 22, 2019

IRS Form 1099-R’s for 2018 will be arriving soon in the mail.  To read more on your Form 1099-R, click here.

The Public Retirement Systems’ Actuarial Committee (PRSAC) approved the Louisiana School Employees’ Retirement System (LSERS) June 30, 2018 valuation which included the employer contribution rate of 29.4% effective July 1, 2018.  This is a 1.4% increase from the current 2018-19 employer rate of 28%.

The member contribution rates for 2019-20 will remain at 7.5% for members hired before July 1, 2010 and 8.0% for new members with first state service on or after July 1, 2010.  Click here for a copy of signed memo to Superintendents, Directors, Business Managers, Human Resource Directors, and IT Directors of all LSERS Employing Agencies.

If you have any questions, please contact Chenfei Zhou, LSERS Assistant Director, at 225.925.6492 or via email at czhou@lsers.net.

Our office will be closed the following dates in observance of the New Year’s holiday: Monday, December 31, 2018, Tuesday, January 1, 2019. We will be open on Wednesday, January 2, 2019

Our office will be closed the following dates in observance of the Christmas holiday: Monday, December 24, 2018, Tuesday, December 25, 2018. We will be open on Wednesday, December 26, 2018

Our office will be closed in observance of the upcoming holidays:
Thursday, November 22, 2018 – Thanksgiving Day, Friday, November 23, 2018- Acadian Day. Our office will return to normal business hours on Monday, November 26, 2018

Our office will be closed in honor of Veteran’s Day on Monday, November 12, 2018. 

The Louisiana School Employees’ Retirement System (LSERS) ended the 2017-18 fiscal year on June 30 with an increase of $49.58 million in its valuation of assets, and an actuarial annual return of 7.64%. The projected DROP rate is 7.14% for those in the old DROP program (eligible for DROP or IBRP, and retired before 1/1/2004). Additionally, the system’s funded ratio rose from 74.16% to 74.59%.

The LSERS Board of Trustees adopted the actuary’s recommended employer contribution rate of 29.40% for Fiscal Year 2019-20.  This adopted rate will go before the Public Retirement Systems’ Actuarial Committee (PRSAC) for its consideration. PRSAC will make the final decision later in the current fiscal year. Unless the legislature adopts changes, this will be the employer’s contribution rate effective 7/1/2019. LSERS will notify all employers of the final decision on the rate after the PRSAC meeting

If you have any questions, please contact Chenfei Zhou, LSERS Assistant Director, at 225.925.6492 or via email at czhou@lsers.net

Our office will be closed in honor of Labor Day on Monday, September 3, 2018.

The portal is now open.  Employers may begin recording 2018-19 activity.

Please remember that all school systems must complete an annual questionnaire covering the period through the preceding fiscal year regarding elimination of positions through privatizing, outsourcing, contracting the service with a private employer, or any other means. The Annual Questionnaire is now available online. The information contained within the questionnaire should be certified by the School System Superintendent and returned to LSERS on or before October 1, 2018.

If you have any questions, please contact LaQuinta Jordan, LSERS’ Internal Auditor, at 225.925.7492 or via email ljordan@lsers.net.

If your school system is experiencing a shortage of qualified bus operators and this shortage has been certified to the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE), state law allows the hiring of a retired bus operator to fill this shortage.  Click here for a copy of the memo for details about the September 1, 2018 deadline.  For more information about the return-to-work requirements, refer to Fact Sheet 18.

Our office will be closed in observance of Independence Day on Wednesday, July 4, 2018 and will return to normal business hours on Thursday, July 5, 2018. 

Our office will be closed in observance of Memorial Day on May 28, 2018 and will return to normal business hours on Tuesday, May 29, 2018.

The LSERS’ office is closed Friday, April 6th due to a power outage. We will resume normal business hours Monday, April 9, 2018. 

Our office will be closed in observance of Good Friday on March 30, 2018.
Our office will return to normal business hours on Monday, April 2, 2018.

Our website will be unavailable beginning at 10:00 PM CST, Saturday, February 10th and ending at 6:00 AM CST, Sunday, February 11th as our host provider makes updates on their end. Should you need to access your personal records or your employees’ records, access to our member/employer portal (LSERSWeb) will be available at http://lsersweb.lsers.net during this time.

Our office will be closed on the following date in observance of the Mardi Gras holiday:
Tuesday, February 13, 2018
We will return to normal business hours on Wednesday, February 14, 2018 

Due to inclement weather our office will remain closed, Thursday, January 18th.  All scheduled meetings and on-site customer service are expected to resume on Friday, January 19th at 8:00 AM.  For additional information, please check our website or your local news media.

IRS Form 1099-R’s for 2017 will be arriving soon in the mail.  To read more on your Form 1099-R, click here. 

The Public Retirement Systems’ Actuarial Committee (PRSAC) approved the Louisiana School Employees’ Retirement System (LSERS) June 30, 2017 valuation which included the employer contribution rate of 28.0% effective July 1, 2018.  This is a .4% increase from the current 2017-18 employer rate of 27.6%.

The member contribution rates for 2018-19 will remain at 7.5% for members hired before July 1, 2010 and 8.0% for new members with first state service on or after July 1, 2010.  Click here for a copy of signed memo to Superintendents, Directors, Business Managers, Human Resource Directors, and IT Directors of all LSERS Employing Agencies.

If you have any questions, please contact Carolyn N. Forbes, LSERS Assistant Director, at 225.925.6490 or via email at cforbes@lsers.net

Our office will be closed the on following date in observance of the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday:
Monday, January 15, 2018
We will be open on Tuesday, January 16, 2018

Our office will be closed the following dates in observance of the New Year’s holiday:
Monday, January 1, 2018
Tuesday, January 2, 2018
We will be open on Wednesday, January 3, 2018

Our office will be closed the following dates in observance of the Christmas holiday:
Monday, December 25, 2017
Tuesday, December 26, 2017
We will be open on Wednesday, December 27, 2017

Due to wintery mix expected for today, our office is closed. We anticipate reopening for regular business hours on Monday, December 11, 2017 at 8 AM.

Our phone vendor is currently experiencing an outage in our area and they are working to get it resolved.  This impacts both incoming and outgoing calls for LSERS’ main number and individual staff numbers.  We will notify you when service has been restored.  We apologize for this inconvenience. 

Our phone system is back up and we are able to receive and make phone calls.  We apologize for the inconvenience. 

Our office will be closed in observance of the upcoming holidays:
Thursday, November 23, 2017 – Thanksgiving Day
Friday, November 24, 2017 – Acadian Day
Our office will return to normal business hours on Monday, November 27, 2017

Our office will be closed in honor of Veteran’s Day on Friday, November 10, 2017.

The Louisiana School Employees’ Retirement System (LSERS) ended the 2016-17 fiscal year on June 30 with an increase of $70.7 million in its valuation of assets, and an actuarial annual return of 8.47%. The projected DROP rate is 7.97% for those in the old DROP program (eligible for DROP or IBRP, and retired before 1/1/2004). Additionally, the system’s funded ratio rose from 72.54% to 74.16%.

The LSERS Board of Trustees adopted the actuary’s recommended employer contribution rate of 28% for Fiscal Year 2018-19.  This adopted rate will go before the Public Retirement Systems’ Actuarial Committee (PRSAC) for its consideration. PRSAC will make the final decision later in the current fiscal year. Unless the legislature adopts changes, this will be the employer’s contribution rate effective 7/1/2018. LSERS will notify all employers of the final decision on the rate after the PRSAC meeting.

If you have any questions, please contact Carolyn N. Forbes, LSERS Assistant Director, at 225.925.6490 or via email at cforbes@lsers.net.

Our online portal for members and employers has been restored.  We apologize for this interruption in service.  If you experience any problems, please let us know.

Our online portal for members and employers is currently unavailable.  We are actively reviewing the issue and hope to have it restored soon.  We apologize for this inconvenience.

Our office will be closed in honor of Labor Day on Monday, September 4, 2017

First, our thoughts are with all of those now being affected by the devastating effects of Hurricane Harvey.

From a housekeeping standpoint, all LSERS monthly benefit payments will be released on time for September 1.  Retirees and other benefit recipients receiving their benefits by direct deposit will have the funds available on the first.  However, LSERS cannot guarantee timely delivery of paper checks by the U.S. Postal Service in areas heavily affected by Hurricane Harvey.

Considering that storm’s impact in southeast Texas and southwest Louisiana, we would like to remind our retirees and other benefit recipients that the safest, fastest, and easiest way to receive their LSERS benefits every month is through Direct Deposit.  Regardless of the weather LSERS benefit payments sent through direct deposit are guaranteed to be in your bank account on the first business day of every month. 

If you now receive a paper check for LSERS benefits, but would like your October 2017 and all other future benefits direct deposited, refer to Fact Sheet 8.

By law, LSERS must properly operate and administer its public pension plan.  To do that, LSERS periodically must verify that its records are current and accurate.  As part of that process, on Friday, 8/11/2017, LSERS mailed approximately 5,200 Benefit Recipient Verification form letters to retirees, beneficiaries and survivors aged 75 and older who are currently receiving benefits.  The purpose of the form is to simply confirm that the benefit recipient’s contact information is current and that he or she is receiving their benefits.  The form must be completed, including two witnesses, and returned by 9/11/2017 to avoid interruption of benefits.  Completed forms can be returned electronically or by fax.

If you have questions, please contact Sarah Walker here at LSERS at 225.287.7493, or by email at swalker@lsers.net or webmaster@lsers.net

Thank you for your cooperation.

Member Account Statements for fiscal year ending June 30, 2017 will be arriving soon in the mail. Page 2 of your statement provides detailed information explaining the statement. To read more on understanding your member statement, click here.

Please remember that all school systems must complete an annual questionnaire covering the period through the preceding fiscal year regarding elimination of positions through privatizing, outsourcing, contracting the service with a private employer, or any other means. The Annual Questionnaire is now available online. The information contained within the questionnaire should be certified by the School System Superintendent and returned to LSERS on or before October 2, 2017.

If you have any questions, please contact Carolyn Forbes at 225.925.6490 or via email cforbes@lsers.net.

LSERS’ Executive Director releases memo containing questions and answers about how school systems’ personnel decisions could cause potential unfunded accrued liability (UAL) consequences. Click here for memo.

If your school system is experiencing a shortage of qualified bus drivers and this shortage has been certified to the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE), state law allows the hiring of a retired bus driver to fill this shortage.  Click here for a copy of the memo for details about the September 1, 2017 deadline.  For more information about the return-to-work requirements, refer to Fact Sheet 18.

Our office will be closed in honor of Independence Day on Tuesday, July 4, 2017.

Our online portal for members and employers has been restored.  We apologize for this interruption in service.  If you experience any problems, please let us know.

Our online portal for members and employers is currently unavailable.  We are actively reviewing the issue and hope to have it restored soon. We apologize for this inconvenience.

Our office will be closed in honor of Good Friday, on Friday, April 14, 2017.

Our office will be closed in honor of Memorial Day on Monday, May 29, 2017. 

Our office will be closed in honor of Mardi Gras, on Tuesday, February 28, 2017.

IRS Form 1099-R’s for 2016 will be mailed on Tuesday, January 17, 2017 and are now available for viewing online at http://www.LSERS.net. After logging into the secure online portal:

1.   Under the    Member Access   bar, select View Personal Information.

2.   On the next screen choose 1099-R

3.   Choose 2016 to see your 1099-R (from here you can also print the form).

For tax information regarding your Form 1099-R, please contact your tax advisor.

Contact LSERS if you have not receive your 1099-R by Wednesday, February 1st. You can email webmaster@lsers.net or call 225.925.6484 or toll free (outside the Baton Rouge calling area) at 1.800.256.3718.  LSERS will send a duplicate copy to you.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Reminder about your tax form:

·        LSERS retirement benefits are not subject to Louisiana state income taxes for residents filing a Louisiana income tax return.

·        For security purposes, we have truncated your social security number to only show the last 4 digits.

·        Box 1 Gross distribution: Total benefit amount you received for the calendar year 2016

·        Box 2a Taxable amount: Taxable amount to be reported for Federal income tax purposes.  Refer to Box 5 for explanation.

·        Box 4 Federal incomes tax withheld: Federal income taxes withheld from your benefit payments in 2016.

·        Box 5 Employee contributions: Tax-free portion of retirement benefits you received during the calendar year.  This is NOT the amount of your insurance premium.  It represents unsheltered contributions withheld from your salary before July 1, 1994 that have already been taxed.  This amount is the difference between the Gross distribution in Box 1 and the Taxable amount in Box 2a.  If Box 5 is blank, your total gross distribution (benefits received) is taxable.

Disability retirees will not have tax-free benefits reflected in Box 5 until they reach their normal retirement eligibility age.

Our office will be closed in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. day on Monday, January 16th. 

Due to potential dangerous wintry weather conditions, our office will close at noon today, Friday, January 6th. 

Louisiana School Employees’ Retirement System (LSERS) is seeking a qualified applicant who will serve as chief legal counsel who will perform highly responsible and specialized professional legal and administrative duties such as legal and administrative advice on laws, rules, executive orders, policies, procedures, contracts, litigation, legislation and objectives to the Board of Trustees and to the staff.

  Applicants must submit a letter of application, two letters of reference, and a resume that includes answers to the following questions:

1. Are you admitted to practice law in the State Courts of Louisiana and are
    you in good standing with the Louisiana Bar Association?
2. Do you have experience in drafting and monitoring legislation?
3. Did you provide two letters of reference?
4. Can your current employer be contacted for an employment reference?
5. What is your preferred salary range?

Letter of application, resume, and two letters of reference should be submitted to Human Resources via email or hard copy by U.S. mail by January 13, 2017.

For further information contact Liz Guidry, HR Specialist, at 225.925.1801 or lguidry@lsers.net

Louisiana School Employees’ Retirement System
Human Resources
Post Office Box 44516
Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70804-4516

Our office will be closed the following dates in observance of the upcoming holidays:  Friday, December 30^th and Monday, January 2^nd for New Year’s.
On behalf of the Board of Trustees and LSERS staff, we wish each of you avery Happy New Year.

The Public Retirement Systems’ Actuarial Committee (PRSAC) approved the Louisiana School Employees’ Retirement System (LSERS) June 30, 2016 valuation which included the employer contribution rate of 27.6% effective July 1, 2017.  This is a .3% increase from the current 2016-17 employer rate of 27.3%.

The member contribution rates for 2017-18 will remain at 7.5% for members hired before July 1, 2010 and 8.0% for new members with first state service on or after July 1, 2010.  Click here for a copy of signed memo to Superintendents, Directors, Business Managers, Human Resource Directors, and IT Directors of all LSERS Employing Agencies. If you have any questions, please contact Carolyn N. Forbes, LSERS Assistant Director, at 225.925.6490 or via email at czhou@lsers.net

Louisiana School Employees’ Retirement System is seeking a highly qualified Chief Investment Officer (CIO) to oversee the system’s $1.8 billion investment portfolio.

The CIO will be responsible for communicating with the Executive Director and Board of Trustees on issues affecting policies, asset allocation, performance, trading practices, benchmarks, peer group comparisons, and new investment opportunities and styles. The CIO will operate as a liaison between the retirement system and all investment professionals, and direct the request for proposals process to select investment managers and investment consultants. See position description here.

Qualified applicants must have a bachelor’s degree from a four-year college or university in business administration, finance, economics, or related field and significant experience in institutional investment management with exposure to several major asset classes.

The CFA designation and/or MBA is preferred, but not required. The applicant must possess strong critical thinking, communication, and interpersonal skills with an in-depth understanding of investment management, investment analysis and financial market theory. Minimum of 4 years of investment-related professional experience preferably in public sector pension administration, retirement administration, or investment consulting.

Anticipated salary range shall be commensurate with experience and qualifications.

Applicants must submit a letter of application, two letters of reference, and a resume that includes answers to the following questions:

1. Do you have a bachelor’s degree from a four-year college or university?

2. Do you have at least four years of institutional investment management experience?

3. Did you provide two letters of reference?

4. Can your current employer be contacted for an employment reference?

5. What is your preferred salary range?

Letter of application, resume, and two letters of reference should be submitted to Human Resources via email or hard copy by U.S. Mail by November 7, 2016.

For further information, contact Liz Guidry, HR Specialist, at 225.925.1801 or lguidry@lsers.net

Louisiana School Employees’ Retirement System

Human Resources

Post Office Box 44516

Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70804-4516

Our online portal for members and employers is available.  However, at this time new member registrations cannot be processed.  We are actively reviewing the issue and hope to have this feature available again in the near future. We apologize for this inconvenience. 

The Louisiana School Employees’ Retirement System (LSERS) ended the 2015-16 fiscal year on June 30 with an increase of $72.1 million in its valuation of assets equating to an actuarial return of 6.90%. The projected DROP rate is 6.40% for those in the old DROP program (eligible for DROP or IBRP retired before 1/1/2004). Additionally, the system’s funded ratio rose from 70.71% to 72.54%.

The Board of Trustees approved the proposed employer contribution rate of 27.6% for FY 2017-18 as recommended by the system’s actuary. This recommendation will go before the Public Retirement Systems’ Actuarial Committee (PRSAC) later in this fiscal year, unless the legislature adopts changes, this will be the employer’s contribution rate for 2017-18. LSERS will notify all employers of the approval after the PRSAC meeting.

If you have any questions, please contact Carolyn N. Forbes, LSERS Assistant Director, at 225.925.6490 or via email at cforbes@lsers.net.

is now available online.  The information contained within the questionnaire should be verified and signed by the School Board Superintendent and returned to LSERS on or before October 1, 2016.  Click here for a copy of the memo to Superintendents of Parish and City School Boards.  If you have any question, contact Larisa Ellard, LSERS internal auditor, at lellard@lsers.net 

If your school system is experiencing a shortage of qualified bus drivers and this shortage has been certified to the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE), state law allows the hiring of a retired bus driver to fill this shortage.  Click here for a copy of the memo for details about the September 1, 2016 deadline.  For more information about the return-to-work requirements, refer to Fact Sheet 18.