Louisiana 2019 2019 Regular Session

Louisiana Senate Bill SB1 Chaptered / Bill

                    2019 REGULAR SESSION 
ACTUARIAL NOTE S	B 1
 
 
Page 1 of 7 
Senate Bill 1 SLS 19RS-15
 
Reengrossed 
 
Author: Senator Peacock
 
Date: April 17, 2019 
LLA Note SB 1. 03
 
 
Organizations Affected: 
Bossier City Policemen’s Pension and   
   Relief Fund 
 
RE NO IMPACT APV   
This Note has been prepared by the Actuarial Services Department of the 
Legislative Auditor with assistance from either the Fiscal Notes staff of the 
Legislative Auditor or staff of the Legislative Fiscal Office.  The attachment of this 
Note provides compliance with the requirements of R.S. 24:521 as amended by 
Act 353 of the 2016 Regular Session.  
 
James J. Rizzo, ASA, MAAA 	Senior Consultant & Actuary 
Gabriel, Roeder, Smith & Company, Actuary for the Legislative Auditor 
 
Bill Header:  RETIREMENT BENEFITS: Provides for the investment of funds by the board of trustees for the Bossier City Police 
Pension and Relief Fund. (6/30/19) 
 
Cost Summary: 
 
The estimated net actuarial and fiscal impact of this proposed legislation on the retirement systems and their plan sponsors is 
summarized below.  Net actuarial costs pertain to estimated changes in the net 	actuarial present value of future benefit payments and 
administrative expenses incurred by the retirement system.  Net fiscal costs or savings pertain to changes to all cash flows over the 
next five year period including retirement system cash flows, OPEB cash flows, or cash flows related to other government entities.  
 
An increase in actuarial costs is denoted throughout the actuarial note by “Increase” or a positive number.  Actuarial savings are 
denoted by “Decrease” or a negative number.  An increase in expenditures or revenues (fiscal impact) is denoted by “Increase” or a 
positive number.  A decrease in expenditures or revenues is denoted by “Decrease” or a negative number. 
 
Estimated Actuarial Impact: 
 The top part of the following chart shows the estimated change in the net 	actuarial present value of future benefit 	payments and 
expenses, if any, attributable to the proposed legislation.  The bottom part shows the effect on cash flows (i.e., contributions, benefit 
payments, and administrative expenses). 
 
Net Actuarial Costs (Liabilities) Pertaining to:  Net Actuarial Cost 
    The Retirement Systems  	$0 
    Other Post-employment Benefits (OPEB)  	0 
    Total  	$0 
   
Five Year Net Fiscal Cost Pertaining to: 	Expenditures Revenues 
    The Retirement Systems 	$0 	$0 
    Other Post-employment Benefits 	0 	0 
    Other Government Entities 	0 	0 
    Total 	$0 	$0 
 
Bill Information 
 
Current Law 
 
Current law provides that policemen's pension and relief funds' boards of trustees may invest the permanent fund or any portion 
thereof in interest-bearing bonds or securities issued or backed by the United States, the state of Louisiana, or the municipality in 
which the board is located or in certificates of deposit in banks of the United States and/or the state of Louisiana.  
 Current law also provides for a more expanded list of fixed income 	investments which may be made by municipalities, parishes, 
school boards, and any other political subdivisions of the state. 
 
Proposed Law 
 
SB 1 provides that the Bossier City Policemen's Pension and Relief Fund’s board of trustees may also 	invest the permanent fund 
or any portion thereof in the types of investments which can be used by municipalities, parishes, school boards, and any other 
political subdivisions of the state. 
 
Implications of the Proposed Changes  
 
SB 1 will expand the list of investments available to the Fund	’s board of trustees. The board of trustees will now be allowed to 
invest in the types of investments which can be used by municipalities, parishes, school boards, and any other political 
subdivisions of the State. 
 
   2019 REGULAR SESSION 
ACTUARIAL NOTE S	B 1
 
 
Page 2 of 7 
 I. ACTUARIAL ANALYSIS SECTION 
 
A. Analysis of Net Actuarial Costs 
(Prepared by LLA) 
 
This section of the actuarial note pertains to net 	actuarial costs or savings associated with the retirement systems and with OPEB. 
 
1. Retirement Systems 
 
The net actuarial cost or savings of 	the proposed legislation associated with the retirement systems is estimated to be $	0.  The 
actuary’s analysis is summarized below. 
 
The Bossier City Policemen’s Pension and Relief Fund has been closed for many years, with all active police officers and 
most of the retirees and beneficiaries covered by the Municipal Police Employees’ Retirement System.  According to the 
Bossier City Comprehensive Annual Financial Statement (CAFR), as of December 31, 2017, the plan’s membership 
consisted of 38 retirees and beneficiaries currently receiving benefits and no active employee members (page 75). 
 
As of December 31, 2017, the Policemen’s Fund had a plan fiduciary net position of $	29,990,959 (page 80), invested in 
Federal Home Loan Bank (10%), Louisiana State Series A & B (19%), United States Treasury Notes (59%) and Louisiana 
Local Gov’t Environment (6%) (page 46). Current law provides that policemen's pension and relief funds' boards of trustees 
may invest the permanent fund or any portion thereof in interest	-bearing bonds or securities issued or backed by the United 
States, the state of Louisiana, or the municipality in which the board is located or in certificates of deposit in banks of the 
United States and/or the state of Louisiana. 
 
According to the 2017 CAFR (page 80), the plan has a net pension asset on its books (a surplus, not an unfunded liability or a 
net pension liability), i.e., its plan fiduciary net position (balance sheet assets) exceeds its total pension liability by 
$1,037,511.  Its contribution income from various sources (page 77) significantly exceeds its benefit payments, with the plan 
fiduciary net position (balance sheet assets) increasing. 
 
The proposed bill expands the types of investments to include additional fixed income securities that may carry slightly 
higher returns and slightly higher risks or volatility.  If the Fund already invests in certain of these investments, the proposed 
legislation will have no effect.  The slightly higher return expectations of other newly permissible investments 	may be 
partially offset by sales or redemption losses occurring when investments with slightly lower returns in slightly lower 
markets are sold or redeemed in order to pay benefits when due. 
 
Expanding the list of investments available to the board of trustees to other forms of fixed income instruments as permitted 
under the proposed legislation does not affect the benefits payable to members	, and it is not expected to have any measurable 
net effect on the longer term actuarial cost. 
 
2. Other Post-employment Benefits (OPEB) 
 
The net actuarial cost or savings of 	the proposed legislation associated with OPEB, including retiree health insurance 
premiums, is estimated to be $0.  The actuary’s analysis is summarized below. 
 
The liability for post-	retirement medical insurance protection provided to retirees is not affected by expanding the list of 
investments available to the pension 	board of trustees. 
 
 
B. Actuarial Data, Methods and Assumptions 
(Prepared by LLA) 
 
Financial and membership data cited above were obtained from the Bossier City Comprehensive Annual Financial Report 
(CAFR) prepared for the year ending December 31, 2017 and dated June 15, 2018.  The actuarial assumptions set forth in the 
CAFR are reasonable and, in particular, the investment return assumption reflects the conservative range of investments permitted 
under the current law. 
 
C. Actuarial Caveat 
(Prepared by LLA) 
 
There is nothing in the proposed legislation 	that will compromise the signing actuary’s ability to present an unbiased statement of 
actuarial opinion. 
   2019 REGULAR SESSION 
ACTUARIAL NOTE S	B 1
 
 
Page 3 of 7 
 II. FISCAL ANALYSIS SECTION 
 
This section of the actuarial note pertains to fiscal (annual) 	costs or savings associated with the retirement systems (Table A), with 
OPEB (Table B), and with other fiscal costs or savings incurred by other government entities (Table C).  Fiscal costs or savings in 
Table A include benefit-related actuarial costs and administrative costs incurred by the retirement systems.  The total effect of SB 1 on 
fiscal costs, fiscal savings, or cash flows is presented in Table D. 
 
A. Estimated Fiscal Impact – Retirement Systems 
(Prepared by LLA) 
 
1. Narrative 
 
Table A shows the estimated fiscal impact of the proposed legislation on the retirement systems and the government entities 
that sponsor them.    A fiscal cost is denoted by “Increase” or a positive number.  Fiscal savings are denoted by “Decrease” or 
a negative number.  A revenue increase is denoted by “Increase” or a positive number.  A revenue decrease is denoted by 
“Decrease” or a negative number. 
 
Retirement System Fiscal Cost: T	able A 
EXPENDITURES	2019-20 2020-21 2021-22 2022-23 2023-24 5 Year Total
  State General Fund $                       0  $                       0  $                       0  $                       0  $                       0  $                       0 
  Agy Self Generated                         0                          0                          0                          0                          0                          0 
  Stat Deds/Other                          0                          0                          0                          0                          0                          0 
  Federal Funds                          0                          0                          0                          0                          0                          0 
  Local Funds                          0                          0                          0                          0                          0                          0 
  Annual Total $                       0  $                       0  $                       0  $                       0  $                       0  $                       0 
REVENUES	2019-20 2020-21 2021-22 2022-23 2023-24 5 Year Total
  State General Fund $                       0  $                       0  $                       0  $                       0  $                       0  $                       0 
  Agy Self Generated                         0                          0                          0                          0                          0                          0 
  Stat Deds/Other                          0                          0                          0                          0                          0                          0 
  Federal Funds                          0                          0                          0                          0                          0                          0 
  Local Funds                          0                          0                          0                          0                          0                          0 
  Annual Total $                       0  $                       0  $                       0  $                       0  $                       0  $                       0 
  
The proposed legislation will have the following effects on retirement related fiscal costs 	and revenues during the five year 
measurement period. 
 
2. Expenditures: 
 
No measurable effects. 
 
3. Revenues: 
 
No measurable effects. 
   2019 REGULAR SESSION 
ACTUARIAL NOTE S	B 1
 
 
Page 4 of 7 
 B. Estimated Fiscal Impact – OPEB 
(Prepared by LLA) 
 
1. Narrative 
 
Table B shows the estimated fiscal impact of the proposed legislation on actuarial benefit and administrative costs or savings 
associated with OPEB and the government entities that sponsor these benefit programs.  A fiscal cost is denoted by 
“Increase” or a positive number.  Fiscal savings are denoted by “Decrease” or a negative number. A revenue increase is 
denoted by “Increase” or a positive number.  A revenue decrease is denoted by “Decrease” or a negative number. 
 
OPEB Fiscal Cost: Table B 
EXPENDITURES	2019-20 2020-21 2021-22 2022-23 2023-24 5 Year Total
  State General Fund $                       0  $                       0  $                       0  $                       0  $                       0  $                       0 
  Agy Self Generated                         0                          0                          0                          0                          0                          0 
  Stat Deds/Other                          0                          0                          0                          0                          0                          0 
  Federal Funds                          0                          0                          0                          0                          0                          0 
  Local Funds                          0                          0                          0                          0                          0                          0 
  Annual Total $                       0  $                       0  $                       0  $                       0  $                       0  $                       0 
REVENUES	2019-20 2020-21 2021-22 2022-23 2023-24 5 Year Total
  State General Fund $                       0  $                       0  $                       0  $                       0  $                       0  $                       0 
  Agy Self Generated                         0                          0                          0                          0                          0                          0 
  Stat Deds/Other                          0                          0                          0                          0                          0                          0 
  Federal Funds                          0                          0                          0                          0                          0                          0 
  Local Funds                          0                          0                          0                          0                          0                          0 
  Annual Total $                       0  $                       0  $                       0  $                       0  $                       0  $                       0 
  
The proposed legislation will have the following effects on OPEB related fiscal costs and revenues during the five year 
measurement period. 
 
2. Expenditures: 
 
No measurable effects. 
 
3. Revenues: 
 
No measurable effects. 
   2019 REGULAR SESSION 
ACTUARIAL NOTE S	B 1
 
 
Page 5 of 7 
 C. Estimated Fiscal Impact: Other Government Entities (other than the retirement systems or OPEB) 
(Prepared by Bradley Cryer, Director of Local Government Services, LLA )  
 
1. Narrative 
 
From time to time, legislation is proposed that has an indirect effect on cash flows associated with other government entities 
(other than the retirement systems or OPEB). Table C shows the estimated fiscal impact of the proposed legislation on such 
government entities.  A fiscal cost is denoted by “Increase” or a positive number.  Fiscal savings are denoted by “Decrease” 
or a negative number. 
 
 
Fiscal Costs for Other Government Entities: Table C 
EXPENDITURES	2019-20 2020-21 2021-22 2022-23 2023-24 5 Year Total
  State General Fund $                       0  $                       0  $                       0  $                       0  $                       0  $                       0 
  Agy Self Generated                         0                          0                          0                          0                          0                          0 
  Stat Deds/Other                          0                          0                          0                          0                          0                          0 
  Federal Funds                          0                          0                          0                          0                          0                          0 
  Local Funds                          0                          0                          0                          0                          0                          0 
  Annual Total $                       0  $                       0  $                       0  $                       0  $                       0  $                       0 
REVENUES	2019-20 2020-21 2021-22 2022-23 2023-24 5 Year Total
  State General Fund $                       0  $                       0  $                       0  $                       0  $                       0  $                       0 
  Agy Self Generated                         0                          0                          0                          0                          0                          0 
  Stat Deds/Other                          0                          0                          0                          0                          0                          0 
  Federal Funds                          0                          0                          0                          0                          0                          0 
  Local Funds                          0                          0                          0                          0                          0                          0 
  Annual Total $                       0  $                       0  $                       0  $                       0  $                       0  $                       0 
 
The proposed legislation will have the following effects on fiscal costs and revenues related to other government entities 
during the five year measurement period. 
 
2. Expenditures: 
 
No measurable effects. 
 
3. Revenues: 
 
No measurable effects. 
 
D. Estimated Fiscal Impact − All Retirement Systems, OPEB, and All Government Entities 
(Prepared by LLA) 
 
1. Narrative 
 
Table D shows the estimated fiscal impact of the proposed legislation on all government entities within the state of Louisiana.  
Cell values in Table D are the sum of the respective cell values in Table A, table B, and Table C.  A fiscal cost is denoted by 
“Increase” or a positive number.  F	iscal savings are denoted by “Decrease” or a negative number.  A revenue increase is 
denoted by “Increase” or a positive number.  A revenue decrease is denoted by “Decrease” or a negative number. 
   2019 REGULAR SESSION 
ACTUARIAL NOTE S	B 1
 
 
Page 6 of 7 
Total Fiscal Cost: Table D (Cumulative Costs from Tables A, B, & C) 
EXPENDITURES	2019-20 2020-21 2021-22 2022-23 2023-24 5 Year Total
  State General Fund $                       0  $                       0  $                       0  $                       0  $                       0  $                       0 
  Agy Self Generated                         0                          0                          0                          0                          0                          0 
  Stat Deds/Other                          0                          0                          0                          0                          0                          0 
  Federal Funds                          0                          0                          0                          0                          0                          0 
  Local Funds                          0                          0                          0                          0                          0                          0 
  Annual Total $                       0  $                       0  $                       0  $                       0  $                       0  $                       0 
REVENUES	2019-20 2020-21 2021-22 2022-23 2023-24 5 Year Total
  State General Fund $                       0  $                       0  $                       0  $                       0  $                       0  $                       0 
  Agy Self Generated                         0                          0                          0                          0                          0                          0 
  Stat Deds/Other                          0                          0                          0                          0                          0                          0 
  Federal Funds                          0                          0                          0                          0                          0                          0 
  Local Funds                          0                          0                          0                          0                          0                          0 
  Annual Total $                       0  $                       0  $                       0  $                       0  $                       0  $                       0 
 
Credentials of the Signatory Staff: 
 
James J. Rizzo is a Senior Consultant and Actuary with Gabriel, Roeder, Smith & Company, which is currently serving as the actuary 
for the Louisiana Legislative Auditor.  He is an Enrolled Actuary, a member of the American Academy of Actuaries, an Associate of 
the Society of Actuaries and has met the Qualification Standards of the American Academy of Actuaries necessary to render the 
actuarial opinion contained herein. 
 
Actuarial Disclosure: Risks Associated with Measuring Costs 
 
This Actuarial Note is an actuarial communication, and is required to include certain disclosures in compliance with Actuarial 
Standards of Practice (ASOP) No. 51. 
 
A full actuarial determination of the retirement system’s costs, actuarially determined contributions and accrued liability require the 
use of assumptions regarding future economic and demographic events	. The assumptions used to determine the retirement system’s 
contribution requirement and 	accrued liability are summarized in the system’s most recent Actuarial Valuation Report accepted by the 
respective retirement board and, in certain cases, by the Public Retirement Systems’ Actuarial Committee (	PRSAC). 
 
The actual emerging future experience, such as a retirement fund’s future investment returns, may differ from the assumptions.  To the 
extent that emerging future experience differs from the assumptions, the resulting shortfalls (or gains) must be recognized in future 
years by future taxpayers.  Future actuarial measurements may also 	differ significantly from the current measurements due to other 
factors: changes in economic or demographic assumptions; increases or decreases expected as part of the natural operation of the 
methodology used for these measurements (such as the end of an amortization period; or additional cost or contribution requirements 
based on the system’s funded status); and changes in plan provisions or applicable law. 
 
Examples of risk that may reasonably be anticipated to significantly affect the plan’s future financial condition include: 
 
1. Investment risk – actual investment returns may differ from the expected returns (assumptions); 
2. Contribution risk – actual contributions may differ from expected future contributions.  For example, actual contributions 
may not be made in accordance with the plan’s funding policy or  material changes may occur in the anticipated number of 
covered employees, covered payroll, or other relevant contribution base; 
3. Salary and Payroll risk – actual salaries and total payroll may differ from expected, resulting in actual future accrued liability 
and contributions differing from expected; 
4. Longevity and life expectancy risk – members may live longer or shorter than expected and receive pensions for a period of 
time other than assumed; 
5. Other demographic risks – members may terminate, retire or become disabled at times or with benefits other than assumed, 
resulting in actual future accrued liability and contributions differing from expected.  
 
The scope of an Actuarial Note prepared for the Louisiana Legislature does not include an analysis of the potential range of such 
future measurements or a quantitative measurement of the future risks of not achieving the assumptions.  In certain circumstances, 
detailed or quantitative assessments of one or more of these risks as well as various plan maturity measures and historical actuarial 
measurements may be requested from the actuary.  Additional risk assessments are generally outside the scope of an Actuarial 
Note.  Additional assessments may include stress tests, scenario tests, sensitivity tests, stochastic modeling, and a comparison of the 
present value of accrued benefits at low-risk discount rates with the actuarial accrued liability.
 
 
However, the general cost -effects of emerging experience deviating from assumptions can be known.  For example, the investment 
return since the most recent actuarial valuation may be less (or more) than the assumed rate, or a cost-of-living adjustment may be 
more (or less) than the assumed rate, or life expectancy may be improving (or worsening) compared to what is assumed.  In each of 
these situations, the cost of the plan can be expected to increase (or decrease). 
 
The use of reasonable assumptions and the timely receipt of the actuarially determined contributions are 	critical to support the 
financial health of the plan.  However, employer contributions made at the actuarially determined rate do not necessarily guarantee 
benefit security.   2019 REGULAR SESSION 
ACTUARIAL NOTE S	B 1
 
 
Page 7 of 7 
 Information Pertaining to Article (10)(29(F) of the Louisiana Constitution 
 
  
 
SB 1 contains a retirement system benefit provision having an actuarial cost. 
 
No member of the Bossier City Policemen's Pension and Relief Fund will receive a larger benefit with the enactment of SB 1 
than what he would have received without SB 1. 
 
Dual Referral Relative to Total Fiscal Costs or Total Cash Flows: 
 
The information presented below is based on information contained in Table D for the first three years following the 2019 	regular 
session. 
 
Senate 	House 
    
 13.5.1 Applies to Senate or House Instruments. 6.8F Applies to Senate or House Instruments. 
 
 
If an annual fiscal cost ≥ $100,000, then bill is 
dual referred to:   
If an annual General Fund fiscal cost  	≥ 
$100,000, then the bill is dual referred to: 
 Dual Referral: Senate Finance Dual Referral to Appropriations 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 13.5.2 Applies to Senate or House Instruments. 6.8G Applies to Senate Instruments only. 
 
 
 
If an annual tax or fee change ≥ $500,000, 
then the bill is dual referred to: 
  
 
If a net fee decrease occurs or if an increase in 
annual fees and taxes ≥ $500,000, then the bill is 
dual referred to: 
 
 Dual Referral: Revenue and Fiscal Affairs 
 
 Dual Referral: Ways and Means