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Welcome to a new school year! In this issue, we’re recapping the 2025 Regular Legislative Session and updating you on new enrollment procedures. Keep reading for the latest employer news and information to help you start the school year off right.
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COMING TO THE BALLOT
Of particular interest to employers – and members – is the outcome of the teacher pay debate. Legislators advanced a proposal that is similar to the one previously put before voters last March. Once again, it calls for lowering employer retirement costs to fund teacher pay increases.
On April 18, 2026, voters will again be asked whether funds in three protected education trust accounts should be used to pay retirement debt as a way to create savings for employers and fund permanent teacher pay increases.
The ballot language is in Act 222, which calls for amending the state constitution to take the balance in three constitutionally protected education trust funds to eliminate a portion of TRSL’s Unfunded Accrued Liability (UAL). Since payment of the UAL is factored into the annual employer contribution rate, employer costs would decrease.
A companion piece of legislation, Act 366, directs the savings from the reduced employer contribution rate to be used to make permanent salary increases of $2,250 for teachers and $1,125 for school personnel beginning in the 2026-27 school year if the constitutional amendment passes.
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MORE CHANGES TO THE OPTIONAL RETIREMENT PLAN
The ORP underwent significant changes last year when certain ORP participants were allowed a window of time to leave that plan and join TRSL’s defined benefit plan. Legislators continued making changes in the 2025 session with passage of House Bill 24 (now Act 47).
- Increases 5-year window to 7 years: ORP participants who had five years to decide whether to leave the ORP and join TRSL now have seven years to make that decision. These are individuals whose first ORP-eligible employment began on/after August 1, 2020, and are active and contributing at the time of their election.
- Gives more ORP participants option to join TRSL: Those ORP participants who previously were not eligible to join TRSL now have a 60-day window to make this election. These are individuals whose first ORP-eligible employment was before August 1, 2020, were not active and contributing as of June 2024, but who became employed in a position eligible for TRSL on/after July 1, 2024.
- Expands ORP eligibility to technical colleges: Individuals employed at technical colleges can now join the ORP. This provides a retirement option to some part-time, seasonal and temporary employees who were not eligible for TRSL’s defined benefit plan. There is a limited window of time for employees to join based on how much TRSL service credit they have.
- Ability to opt out of TRSL for certain new hires: Individuals who are hired into a TRSL-covered position for the first time can now opt out of TRSL participation if they are (1) at least age 60; or (2) at least age 55 with 40 quarters in Social Security. Employees meeting this criteria and who want to opt out of TRSL membership need to fill out an Opting Out of TRSL Membership (Form 17).
Employers must retain the original form and send a copy, including employer certification, to TRSL for processing.
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OTHER CHANGES MADE BY ACT 47 INCLUDE:
- Creates a 9-member ORP advisory committee with representation from each of the state’s four public postsecondary systems, as well as one ORP participant not employed by a public postsecondary education institution.
- Adds the commissioner of higher education or designee as an ex officio member on the TRSL Board of Trustees.
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Interested in a legislative overview?
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NEW LAW PROMPTS UPDATES TO CERTAIN TRSL FORMS
A number of forms have been updated to comply with Act 351 from the 2025 Regular Legislative Session. State agencies or political subdivisions are now required to verify the citizenship or immigration status of applicants for federal, state or local public benefits, including retirement benefits. For those contributing to a public retirement system, this verification is required to happen at the time of enrollment.
The updated forms now ask you to confirm that you’ve verified a new hire’s citizenship or immigration status through the Federal Form I-9/E-Verify process.
You will need to discard older copies of the following forms:
- Form 2 (Enrollment Application/Enrollment Notification)
- Form 2R (Election to Retain Membership)
- Form 2TR (Election to Join TRSL after ORP Participation)
- Form 16 (Application for ORP or Change of Carrier)
- Form 2PT (Enrollment Application for Secondary Part-Time Position
with Same Employer)
The updated forms are dated 07/25 and can be found by clicking the links above or visiting www.trsl.org/forms.
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| A few significant changes have been made to the enrollment process for new employees. Here’s what you need to know:
Social Security Numbers: You will need to enter Social Security Numbers twice when enrolling employees in TRSL. This will help reduce instances of members being enrolled under incorrect Social Security Numbers.
Email addresses: We’re now asking employers to include an email address (work or personal) for new hires during the enrollment process. This will help TRSL communicate with members about future enhancements with Member Access.
Have questions?
TRSL is here to help! We have resources designed to help you complete every task with ease.
- Employer Manual: Your comprehensive reference guide to all TRSL processes and procedures.
- Training Videos: An on-demand library of training sessions with our knowledgeable staff.
- TRSL Liaisons: Every employer is assigned a TRSL Liaison who can answer questions about sick leave certifications, enrollments, return to work laws and more. Find yours today.
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MEMBERS SHOULD GET RETIREMENT INFORMATION DIRECTLY FROM TRSL!
We’ve received a number of reports that third-party companies are contacting TRSL members about financial planning. While these companies may be legitimate, they are not associated with TRSL and they do not have access to a member’s TRSL retirement information.
Here are a few tips to share with TRSL members. You can also share our tip sheet.
- Only TRSL can provide members with accurate information about their TRSL defined benefit.
- TRSL does not employ, authorize or endorse any outside, third-party vendors to represent TRSL or provide TRSL retirement information to TRSL’s defined benefit members.The only exceptions are the three Optional Retirement Plan (ORP) vendors: TIAA, VOYA, and Corebridge (formerly VALIC/AIG).
- TRSL staff will never go to a member’s home or call a member unsolicited to ask for personal information. TRSL does not send text messages to members.
- If members are in doubt about any email communication they receive purportedly from TRSL, they are encouraged to give TRSL a call at 225-925-6446 or 1-877-ASK-TRSL.
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As part of our ongoing series introducing you to our talented Employer Services Department (ESD) staff, we’re shining the spotlight on the newest member of the team!
Meet Meredith Smith, a retirement benefits analyst with a big project to tackle. She’ll be creating videos and digital resources to modernize TRSL’s library of employer resources.
Meredith graduated cum laude from LSU-Eunice in May with an associate’s degree and has over seven years of administrative support experience.
Tenure at TRSL: My first day at TRSL was July 7, 2025.
What drew you to TRSL? The opportunity to make a real difference in people’s lives and to be able to put my creativity to good use. Being able to support the people who dedicate their lives to education feels very meaningful to me. Teachers have an important role in our society, so helping provide them with security and peace of mind about their retirement is something I’m proud of.
What is your favorite part of the job so far? I love that I learn something new every day and trust me, there is plenty to learn! There is so much to absorb, but the TRSL veterans in my department are so extremely helpful and patient when explaining all of the processes we deal with. Working in an environment where people truly want you to succeed is a blessing.
A few fun facts about Meredith: I love to thrift for unique finds, garden, and stay active by playing pickleball and tennis. When I’m not outdoors, I love curling up with a good book. Most of all I enjoy spending time with my husband and our two spoiled cats!
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