Louisiana House Bill HR84

Louisiana 2011 Regular Session

• Introduced: 6/13/11
• Refer: 6/14/11

Caption

Relative to the Teachers' Retirement System of Louisiana, requests the House Committee on Retirement to study issues related to the conversion of leave time in excess of retirement benefit limits

Impact

The study requested by HR84 has the potential to influence state laws governing retirement benefits for educators in Louisiana. By considering changes to allow the conversion of accumulated leave into service credit beyond the cap, it may create more equitable treatment between different categories of state employees. This could lead to legislative amendments, which might assist long-serving educators in maximizing their retirement benefits, thereby improving their financial security upon retirement.

Summary

House Resolution 84 urges the House Committee on Retirement to study the issues surrounding the conversion of accumulated leave time in excess of retirement benefit limits for retirees within the Teachers' Retirement System of Louisiana (TRSL). The resolution aims to address concerns that teachers who have served for extended periods may have unused sick leave that cannot currently be converted into service credit under the existing retirement benefit cap. This resolution highlights the disparity between the provisions for TRSL members and those under the Louisiana State Employees' Retirement System (LASERS), which allows for a lump-sum payment for unused leave when limits are exceeded.

Sentiment

The general sentiment surrounding HR84 seems to be favorable towards addressing the needs of retired educators. Supporters of the resolution likely view it as an essential step in ensuring fair treatment for teachers who have dedicated many years to service. However, there might also be concern regarding the potential implications for the state's retirement system's financial stability and the precedence set for other employee categories seeking similar benefits.

Contention

Notable points of contention might arise regarding the financial implications of modifying the leave conversion rules. Some lawmakers could express concerns over issues such as the sustainability of the retirement fund and whether extending these benefits could lead to increased costs for the state. Additionally, there may be opposing viewpoints on the fairness of expanding benefits to one group of state employees at the expense of another, highlighting tension between different employee groups within the state's retirement systems.