November 2021
TRSL annual valuation report
Latest report packed with good news for employers
In October, the TRSL Board approved its annual valuation report that shows a decrease in the unfunded accrued liability (UAL), a rise in the System’s funded level, and falling employer contribution rates. Check out these highlights:
  • The UAL decreased to $9.3 billion from $10.3 billion, marking the first time since 2008 it has been below $10 billion. The debt is on track to be paid off by its statutorily required payoff dates.
  • TRSL’s funded status increased to 71.8% from last year’s 67.9%. The funded status is a measure of the System’s assets against its liabilities and is a common metric used to gauge a retirement plan’s financial health.
  • Employer contribution rates drop for fifth consecutive year. The projected rate for K-12 employers next school year will be 24.8%, down from 25.2% this year; and for higher education employers, the rate will be 24.1%, down from 24.5%.
“We are seeing the fruition of legislative changes that put TRSL in a more secure financial position. It required some hard decisions that are now greatly benefitting our System’s members,” said TRSL Director Katherine Whitney.
Additionally, thanks to a historic 35.7% market return on investments for FY 2021, the System earned an actuarial return of 12.65%, exceeding its target return of 7.45% to fund regular plan benefits. The actuarial return smooths market returns over five years to moderate market volatility and provide a more reliable way to project the plan’s funding needs.
All these numbers—from the strong actuarial return to the lower employer rate—translate to a more secure retirement plan that ultimately benefits TRSL employers and members.
Fall into online training
We’d love to help you with your TRSL reporting questions, and we’re booking appointments now!
You can get customized virtual training with TRSL’s Employer Services Department through the online meeting platform GoToWebinar. 
Contact us today to schedule your virtual training session:
What's the BIG DEAL with Form 1?
TRSL's Form 1 (Authorized Contacts) is used to designate personnel who will report, correct, and certify employee data through the Employer/Member Information Site (EMIS). And while most employers find it simple to complete, we often see a few common mistakes:
  1. Neglecting to select designated access rights. The designated access rights (see below) are important because they determine the permission levels a user will have in EMIS.
  2. Forgetting to include existing access rights when adding new ones. When submitting Form 1 to grant additional access rights to designated personnel, be sure to select their existing access rights as well as their new ones. Each time you complete Form 1, you must select all permissions that apply, as if it were a new entry for that user. The system will not retain the existing access rights if they are not also selected on the new form.
IMPORTANT: If giving access rights other than “Inquiry,” be sure to include the designated personnel’s signature on the form. Forms granting access rights other than “Inquiry” will be returned if they do not contain appropriate signatures. 
More EMIS tips & reminders:
  • Submit Form 1 for EMIS access – For instructions on completing Form 1, see Index 1.0 of TRSL’s Employer Procedures Manual.
  • Help EMIS stay secure – For security purposes, TRSL requires all EMIS users to update their password every 90 days.
  • Remember to stay active – You will need to access the EMIS system at least once every six months to keep your authorization active and avoid account suspension.
  • Keep authorized users current – When an authorized signer resigns (or is terminated), remove that employee’s EMIS access as quickly as possible. You should also send an email to your assigned liaison immediately. Once you fill that position, you can submit a new Authorized Contacts (Form 1) and Employer Directory Contacts (Form 1EDC).
Have more questions? We’re here to help!
For more tips on access rights and navigating EMIS, see Index 0.0 of the Employer Procedures Manual. For additional assistance, email the Employer Services Department.
ENROLLMENT METHODS:
EMIS or Form 2?
You can enroll a new employee through the online enrollment process in TRSL’s Employer/Member Information Site (EMIS). After the enrollment is processed online, any Enrollment Application/Employment Notification (Form 2) should be retained in the employee’s file. You do not need to submit a paper Form 2 to TRSL.
If you don’t have EMIS, please submit to TRSL a hard copy of Form 2. It should be completed in its entirety by the employer and the employee.
Enrollment resources:
Did your school's calendar change due to Hurricane Ida closures?
If so, it’s important to communicate this information to your employees who have reached or will reach retirement or DROP eligibility during FY 2022. Any changes to your school calendar might affect their anticipated retirement or DROP start date.
Additionally, if your agency’s calendar was revised this year, please send TRSL updated calendar information for all employee contract types (9-month, 10-month, 11-month, & 12-month contracts). Revised school calendars can be emailed to web.master@trsl.org or faxed to 225-925-6366.
Important info when hiring TRSL retirees for PT/Temp positions
TRSL is aware that some employment staffing services recruit and hire TRSL retirees to fill part-time/temporary positions with TRSL-participating agencies. Please review this memo, which provides guidance on the re-employment of retirees through contract or corporate contract, along with relevant return-to-work (RTW) laws and TRSL reporting requirements.
This information is important because any overpayment of benefits identified as a result of not enrolling a TRSL retiree, especially those in the 2020 RTW Group, will be charged to your agency through the annual RTW audit.
Join us for an upcoming webinar...
We’ll debunk the myths & share the facts about DROP
  • Wed., Nov. 10 @ 10 AM
How sick & annual leave relate to retirement credit
  • Wed., Dec. 15 @ 10 AM
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