About LASERS - Agency Profile

Structure

A defined benefit plan under Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code

Governance

The LASERS Board of Trustees governs your retirement system. It is composed of 12 members, nine of whom are elected by the membership.

• 6 of the elected Trustees are elected by active members
  
• 3 are elected by retirees
• 3 ex officio seats are occupied by the Louisiana State Treasurer, the Chair of the Senate Committee on Retirement, and the Chair of the House Committee on Retirement
  
  

Membership

Membership in LASERS is mandatory for all state employees whose employing agencies are LASERS participants, except those exempted by state law.        

*Includes refunds
** Rank and file members
Note: Inactive and terminated vested members not included in above Membership Figures.

Funding

The LASERS trust fund is the source of all benefits paid to LASERS members and their beneficiaries. Funding comes from three sources:                        

• Earnings from Investments
• Employee contributions
• Employer contributions

• Market Value of Assets is $9.252 billion
• Total Fiscal Year Market Return is 24.3%
  

LASERS manages approximately one-third of its investments internally, saving millions of dollars per year in professional management fees. 

This year, the amount saved through internal management is equal to the amount budgeted for the salaries of all LASERS employees combined.   

Investments in Louisiana

• Over $950 million in benefits and refunds paid in FY 2011
• Approximately 90 percent of LASERS retirees live in Louisiana, resulting in an $861 million economic impact on our state and hometown economies
• Over $200 million invested in Louisiana companies via publicly traded securities and private investments. These investments help support thousands of jobs in Louisiana.

LASERS Gift Policy

No Gifts for LASERS employees or trustees, please

Details of Policy