2021 LRTA Legislative Update #5
May 14, 2021
LRTA Receives AARP Grant for 2021
June 24, 2021

2021 LRTA Legislative Update #6

2021 Regular Session Ends

The Louisiana legislature adjourned sine die on June 10 for the 2021 Regular Legislative Session.

Below are the details and final outcomes of the retirement bills LRTA tracked and monitored during the 2021 Regular Legislative Session. Some bills that passed are pending signature from the Governor:

  • HB 22(transfers employees of LSBA from PERS to TRSL) by Rep. Jeremy Lacombe – passed and sent to Governor. 
    • LRTA NEUTRAL
  • HB 516(supplemental appropriations toward UAL) by Rep. Jerome Zeringue – passed and signed by the Governor (Act No. 120).
    • LRTA SUPPORTS 
  • HCR 7(memorializes Congress to repeal GPO/WEP) by Rep. Mike Johnson – passed and sent to Secretary of State (Joint, concurrent and other resolutions do not require the signature of the governor to become effective. Resolutions take effect upon adoption.)
    • LRTA SUPPORTS
  • SB 22(raises retirement eligibility age) by Senator Barrow Peacock – failed to pass
    • LRTA OPPOSES.
  • SB 24(“hardship” minimum benefit increase) by Senator Ed Price – passed and signed by the Governor (Act No. 37).
    • LRTA SUPPORTS. This bill would grant a “hardship” minimum benefit increase to certain retirees of TRSL who meet all criteria as listed in the bill. Here is the bill digest listing the criteria. Members who have questions about eligibility for the benefit increase, please contact the Teachers’ Retirement System of Louisiana at :

Phone: 225-925-6446

Toll free (outside Baton Rouge calling area): 1-877-275-8775

Email: web.master@trsl.org

LRTA continues to monitor two pieces of legislation in Congress regarding the Government Pension Offset (GPO) and Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP).

  • HR. 2337 by Rep. Richard Neal-MA – this legislation was recently introduced and calls for a partial repeal of the WEP only. Current beneficiaries (and those turning 62 before 2023) who are affected by the WEP due to their own public service work would receive an extra $150 a month, starting nine months after enactment and continuing for as long as the eligible individuals are receiving Social Security benefits. The relief amount cannot exceed the size of each person’s current WEP reduction. Future retirees (those turning 62 in 2023 and later) would be eligible for a new benefit formula, called the Public Servant Protection (PSP) formula. Several members of the WEP National Coalition (of which LRTA is a member) have expressed this legislation has a higher chance of moving through Congress. Currently, none of Louisiana’s U.S. Representatives have cosponsored H.R. 2337.

LRTA SUPPORTS any and all repeals of the GPO and WEP.

The 2021 Summer Newsletter will include additional details about the 2021 Regular Legislative Session and the bills LRTA tracked and monitored during the session. The newsletter will also include information regarding future in-person meetings for the fall. Members should begin receiving the newsletter around the end of June or the beginning of July.

I want to thank our members for staying engaged and informed by reading our email blasts, liking our posts on Facebook and using our resources on the LRTA website. We could not do everything that we do without the support of our members, and we look forward to seeing you all again in the near future.

Regards,
Rodney R. Watson
LRTA Executive Director

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