email : Webview : Board of Trustees election, summer webinars, & more!

APRIL 2021

COVID-19: Lots of ways to connect with us!

We're here to serve you whether it's by virtual appointment, telephone/email, or the self-service options through Member Access! It’s easy to connect with us and get the answers you need.

Schedule a 30-minute virtual appointment:

Phone: 225-925-6446, ext. 1446
Toll free (outside Baton Rouge area): 1-877-277-8775, ext. 1446
Email: appointments@trsl.org

Member Access

Once logged in, active members can change their name/address, view annual member statements, and use other self-service functions.

Webinars

Search upcoming events
for live sessions or
on-demand recordings
on a variety of topics for
every stage of your career.

Document submission

Documents can be
submitted to us by mail,
email, or fax. If an original
is required, it will be noted
at the top of the form.

This year, TRSL will hold an election for the Board of Trustees seat representing active members paid with school food service funds (including those in DROP or working after DROP). If you’re eligible and interested in serving, there’s still time to qualify.

NOTE: Employees not paid with school food service funds and TRSL retirees (including retired members who have returned to work) are not eligible for this position. Participants of the Optional Retirement (ORP) are not members of the TRSL Regular Plan, and therefore are ineligible to run or vote in TRSL Board elections.

Confirm your mailing & email address

In August, active members eligible to vote will be mailed voting credentials and instructions. Now is the time to make sure your contact information (mail & email address) is current with us so that you won’t miss any important TRSL correspondence, including election information.

Log in to your Member Access account and verify that we have your current contact information on file. If you need to make an update, see below:

Select “Change Your Mailing/E-mail Address” from the “My Self Service” menu and make the necessary update.
If you need assistance with Member Access, contact TRSL’s Help Desk at 225-925-6460. Or toll free outside the Baton Rouge area: at 1-877-275-8775, ext. 6460.

Summer "Planning for Your Retirement" webinars

If you’re within 10 years of DROP or retirement eligibility, join us this summer at a virtual Planning for Your Retirement webinar. We’ve got tons of dates and times throughout June and July to help you get retirement ready.

These webinars cover the following topics:

Retirement eligibility
How your benefit will be calculated
How to purchase service credit
Determining whether DROP is right for you
What happens to your annual/sick leave
How to apply for retirement
Beneficiary options
Social Security information

See all dates & register here!

Legislative session kicks off soon

The 2021 regular legislative session begins Monday, April 12. Because this year’s session is designated primarily for fiscal matters, there’s a limited number of non-fiscal bills that can be filed. At the current time, TRSL is monitoring the following bills affecting the system:

House Bill 22 (Rep. LaCombe) – Would require all new employees and some current employees of the Louisiana School Boards Association (LSBA) to be transferred to or become members of TRSL. Currently, LSBA employees are members of the Parochial Employees' Retirement System of Louisiana.
House Bill 516 (Rep. Zeringue) – Would make a supplemental appropriation of $18.6 million to the TRSL initial unfunded accrued liability (IUAL) from a portion of the FY 2019-20 surplus funds in the state treasury.
Senate Bill 22 (Sen. Peacock) – Would change retirement eligibility for new hires whose first employment makes them eligible for membership in a state retirement system on or after July 1, 2021. Members hired on/after this date could retire under the following eligibility criteria: (1) five years of service at the higher of age 67 or the age of retirement set by the Social Security Administration; (2) 40 years of service at age 62; or (3) 20 years of service at any age (actuarially reduced).
Senate Bill 24 (Sen. Price) – Would grant a minimum benefit increase to certain retirees, beneficiaries, and survivors of the Teachers’ Retirement System of Louisiana (TRSL), the Louisiana State Employees' Retirement System (LASERS), the Louisiana School Employees' Retirement System (LSERS), and the Louisiana State Police Retirement System (LSPRS).

For more information on these bills, along with positions taken by the TRSL Board of Trustees, visit the Legislation page of our website.

Stay informed with email updates!

You can receive updates about bills and issues that impact TRSL and its members delivered straight to your inbox through eNews. Click “manage your preferences” at the bottom of this email, and make sure you have “legislation” selected as a topic of interest.

Get the facts about your TRSL account from us

Sometimes, TRSL members are contacted by salespeople regarding their retirement benefits and income. It’s important to remember that these salespeople are not affiliated with TRSL.

TRSL does not authorize or endorse any outside, third-party vendors to represent TRSL or provide TRSL retirement information to you. The only exceptions are the three Optional Retirement Plan (ORP) vendors — VOYA, TIAA, and AIG — who provide investment services, communication, and record keeping to individuals who participate in the ORP.

Important information about outside vendors:

Your employer may allow outside vendors on campus that offer additional retirement products and services. Here are some important points you should remember:

These vendors are not affiliated or associated with TRSL in any manner.
TRSL does not endorse third-party vendors or their services and products.
TRSL staff will never come to your home or call you unsolicited and ask for your personal information.
TRSL does not provide any retirement information to third-party vendors.
Individuals who rely on any information provided by third-party vendors with regard to TRSL benefits, i.e. calculations, estimates, projections, etc., do so at their own risk.