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April 2016 LINKS newsletter
April 2016 LINKS newsletter
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April 2016  
2016 LEGISLATIVE SESSION: Stay informed about issues that impact your retirement
The regular legislative session has been underway for about a month, and lawmakers continue to consider bills that could have a major impact on TRSL and its members.
If you're not receiving our eNews Legislative Updates to stay informed about legislation affecting your retirement, click "manage your preferences" at the bottom of this email and select "legislation" as a topic of interest. 
New benefit structure for new hires
A number of bills would significantly change the retirement plan for newly hired employees, including legislation that would establish a hybrid plan in which a new hire's future retirement income would come from both a defined benefit and a defined contribution-type plan.
Legislation that seeks to change the benefit structure of TRSL retirements for new hires includes the following House bills: HB 45, HB 46, HB 49, HB 50, HB 65, and HB 66
Other retirement-related bills would make the following adjustments:
  • Allow members to purchase service credit for K-12 teaching service in an out-of-state non-public school (HB 13)
  • Alter the membership of the TRSL Board of Trustees (HB 14 and HB 48)
  • Implement additional changes to return-to-work law (HB 60,HB 61, and HB 907)
  • Authorize a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) to eligible retirees and beneficiaries (SB 2 and HB 32)
  • Create funds which may provide supplemental payments to the unfunded accrued liability (UAL) debt the state owes TRSL (HB 504, HB 477, HB 603, HB 696, HB 509, HB 617, SB 315, and HB 422)
For a complete list of bills impacting TRSL, along with the TRSL Board of Trustees' position on them, visit the Legislation page of the TRSL website
Join us for a summer retirement workshop!
Summer is just around the corner, and that means TRSL is gearing up for our "Planning for Your Retirement" workshops. If you are within five years of retirement or DROP eligibility, you should join us! We will discuss your retirement benefits, guide you through the retirement process, and answer all your questions.
Check out our summer schedule and register today!
2016 Board elections: Qualifying deadline approaching
The deadline to qualify for the 2016 TRSL Board of Trustees elections is 4:30 p.m., Friday, April 29. Elections will be held for the active member districts below. (Click on the links to see eligibility requirements for qualifying as a candidate.)
  • DISTRICT 3 (Special election): TRSL members employed in Assumption, East Baton Rouge, Iberville, Lafourche, & Terrebonne parishes
  • DISTRICT 5: TRSL members employed in Caldwell, Catahoula, Concordia, East Carroll, East Feliciana, Franklin, Jackson, Livingston, Madison, Morehouse, Ouachita, Richland, St. Helena, Tangipahoa, Tensas, Union, West Carroll, & West Feliciana parishes
  • DISTRICT 6: TRSL members employed in Allen, Avoyelles, Beauregard, Evangeline, Grant, Jefferson Davis, LaSalle, Pointe Coupee, Rapides, St. Landry, St. Martin, Vernon, West Baton Rouge, & Winn parishes
Ballots will be mailed to eligible members this fall. To make sure you receive your ballot, take some time today to update your address if it has recently changed.
  • The easiest way update your home address is through TRSL's online Member Access. Once logged in, select "Change Your Mailing Address" from the "My Self Service" drop-down menu.
  • You can also update your home address by submitting an Active Member Change of Address Authorization (Form 2AC).
DROP statements going GREEN!
In our ongoing efforts to conserve resources, starting July 1, quarterly DROP/ILSB statements will be available exclusively online through TRSL's secure Member Access. Paper statements will no longer be mailed.
Please visit www.TRSL.org to sign up for online access to all of your important TRSL account information. If you need assistance with Member Access, contact helpdesk@trsl.org
TIP: Be sure to complete beneficiary information on your retirement application
Are you applying for retirement, DROP, or ILSB soon? If so, make sure you complete the Application for Service Retirement, ILSB, or DROP (Form 11). Filling out Section 6 of the application is a requirement, whether you are naming a beneficiary or not.
  • If you DO wish to name a beneficiary, list them in Section 6.
  • If you DO NOT wish to name a beneficiary, write "no beneficiary" in Section 6. 
If Section 6 is inadvertently left blank, it could result in a delay of retirement/DROP benefits, especially if you intended to list someone.
CONSUMER ALERT: Outside third-party vendors
Just a reminder that 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 -- TIAA (formerly TIAA-CREF), VOYA, and VALIC -- which 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. In these instances, TRSL has asked employers to advise their staff members that these vendors do not represent TRSL. Here are some important points you should remember:
  • The vendor is not affiliated or associated with TRSL in any manner.
  • TRSL does not endorse third-party vendors or their services and products.
  • The vendor does not receive, obtain, or secure any retirement information directly from TRSL.
  • 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.
If you have any questions about your TRSL retirement, contact us directly:
  • Local phone: 225-925-6446
  • Toll free (outside Baton Rouge): 877-ASK-TRSL (877-275-8775)
  • Email: web.master@trsl.org
PO Box 94123 | Baton Rouge, LA 70804-9123 US
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