During this year's Regular Session, legislation was passed affecting the return-to-work (RTW) and membership retention laws as outlined below.

Act 492, formerly HB 14 (Rep. P. Smith), adds full-time interpreters, educational transliterators, or educators of the deaf or hard of hearing and full- or part-time PreK teachers to the list of “re-employment eligible critical shortage positions” allowing eligible retirees to return to work without a reduction of benefits, after the required waiting period and certification of shortage by the employer. 

Act 613, formerly HB 13 (Rep. Miller), adds presenters of professional development training and tutors for any PreK-12 student to the list of “re-employment eligible positions” allowing retirees to return to work and continue to receive a benefit payment after the required waiting period, subject to a 25% benefit earnings limitation. It also clarifies that retirees can return to work as "classroom teachers" employed in a temporary capacity to proctor tests (subject to a 25% benefit earnings limitation).

For more information, please see Index 15.0: Retirees Returning to Work and these Frequently Asked Questions.

Act 342, formerly SB 6 (Sen. Peacock), prohibits a TRSL member with at least five years of TRSL service credit from retaining membership in TRSL if they move to a position covered by the Louisiana Clerks’ of Court Retirement and Relief Fund. Individuals in this situation have several options:

As a new school year begins, please remember these important enrollment requirements.

Keep in mind that we update our brochures and forms as necessary to reflect changes in state law. So, we recommend that you go directly to www.TRSL.org to get the most up-to-date publications and information, rather than stockpiling hard copies for future use. Don’t forget to refer your employees to our website, too!