1. How are LASERS assets invested?
2. What rate of return has LASERS investments achieved?
3. How does the market affect my retirement benefit?
4. What is LASERS target investment rate of return?
5. What is the process for choosing LASERS investment managers?
6. How is the asset allocation determined?

LASERS assets are invested in diversified stock, bond, and alternative asset portfolios. See Asset Allocation for details.
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2. What rate of return has LASERS investments achieved?

The Actuarial Value of LASERS investment yield was 2.21% for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2010. LASERS investment rate of return for that period was 16.1%. For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2011, the Louisiana State Employees' Retirement System (LASERS) generated a 24.3% investment rate of return.See Performance for details.
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3. How does the market affect my retirement benefit?

The market has no direct effect on benefits. LASERS is a Defined Benefit Plan, meaning your retirement benefits are set by law and guaranteed by the state regardless of market fluctuations. Your retirement benefit is based on your years of service, final average compensation, and benefit accrual rate set by law.
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4. What is LASERS target investment rate of return?

The actuarial expected rate of return is currently 8.25%.
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5. What is the process for choosing LASERS investment managers?

The LASERS Board of Trustees chooses managers with the advice of investment staff and an independent investment consultant. Typically managers are chosen starting with a public solicitation process, followed by comprehensive analysis and due diligence.
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6. How is the asset allocation determined?

Allocation is determined through the use of portfolio optimization techniques. This entails starting with a universe of securities or asset classes that has been valued in terms of (a) expected return, (b) volatility of expected return, and (c) correlation of the asset classes under consideration. The process of portfolio optimization involves selecting the portfolio that minimizes risk for a given level of return.
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