2020 REGULAR SESSION ACTUARIAL NOTE HB 14 Page 1 of 6 House Bill 14 HLS 20RS-100 Enrolled Author: Representative Carpenter Date: May 29, 2020 LLA Note HB 14.03 Organizations Affected: Firefighters’ Retirement System EN NO IMPACT APV This Note has been prepared by the Actuarial Services Department of the Louisiana Legislative Auditor (LLA) with assistance from either the Fiscal Notes staff of the Legislative Auditor or staff of the Legislative Fiscal Office (LFO). 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. Lowell P. Good, ASA, EA, MAAA Actuarial Services Manager Bill Header: RETIREMENT/FIREFIGHTERS : Provides relative to the refund of employee contributions to the Firefighters’ Retirement System. 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 local and state 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 (OPEB) 0 0 Local Government Entities 0 0 State Government Entities 0 0 Total $0 $0 Bill Information Current Law Current law provides that any member of the system who ceases to be an employee, except by death or retirement, may apply for and obtain a refund of his accumulated contributions. Such refund shall not be payable until at least 90 days after termination or resignation. Current law also provides that the board of trustees can approve an earlier refund of accumulated employee contributions based on a bona fide emergency, in which case a refund can be at least 45 days after termination or resignation. Proposed Law HB 14 provides that such refunds of accumulated employee contributions shall not be payable until the board of trustees approves the refund at a meeting occurring at least 30 days after termination or resignation. Implications of the Proposed Changes HB 14 shortens the period a member must wait to receive a refund from at least 90 days to the number of days until the board of trustees approves the refund at a meeting occurring at least 30 days after termination or resignation. It also eliminates the need for the earlier payment after 45 days based on a bona fide emergency. 2020 REGULAR SESSION ACTUARIAL NOTE HB 14 Page 2 of 6 I. ACTUARIAL IMPACT ON RETIREMENT SYSTEMS AND OPEB [Completed by LLA] 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. No interest is paid on funds withdrawn from the system. Shortening the waiting period for refunds does not change the amount of the refund. To the extent the money is leaving the fund sooner than before, it is not generating investment earnings. Based on the amounts involved, the expected frequency of such payments and brief period of accelerated time to refund, investment earnings lost will be negligible or non-existent. 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. Members who cease to be employees, except by death or retirement, are not covered by OPEB. So shortening the waiting period for refunds would have no effect on OPEB costs. B. Actuarial Data, Methods and Assumptions (Prepared by LLA) Unless indicated otherwise, the actuarial note for the proposed legislation was prepared using actuarial data, methods, and assumptions as disclosed in the most recent actuarial valuation report adopted by the Public Retirement Systems’ Actuarial Committee (PRSAC). The data, methods and assumptions are being used to provide consistency with the actuary for the retirement system who may also be providing testimony to the Senate and House retirement committees. With certain exceptions, the actuary for the LLA finds the assumptions used by the retirement systems and PRSAC to be reasonable. 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. II. FISCAL IMPACT ON RETIREMENT SYSTEMS AND OPEB [Completed by LLA] This section of the actuarial note pertains to fiscal (annual) costs or savings associated with the retirement systems (Table A) and with OPEB (Table B). Fiscal costs or savings in Table A include benefit-related actuarial costs and administrative costs incurred by the retirement systems. 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. 2020 REGULAR SESSION ACTUARIAL NOTE HB 14 Page 3 of 6 Retirement System Fiscal Cost: Table A EXPENDITURES 2020-21 2021-22 2022-23 2023-24 2024-25 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 2020-21 2021-22 2022-23 2023-24 2024-25 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. 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 2020-21 2021-22 2022-23 2023-24 2024-25 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 2020-21 2021-22 2022-23 2023-24 2024-25 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. 2020 REGULAR SESSION ACTUARIAL NOTE HB 14 Page 4 of 6 III. FISCAL IMPACT ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT ENTITIES [Completed by LLA] This section of the actuarial note pertains to annual fiscal costs, cost savings, and revenue impacts incurred by local government entities other than those included in Tables A and B. See Table C. Estimated Fiscal Impact - Local Government Entities (other than the impact included in Tables A and B) (Prepared by Bradley Cryer, Director of Local Government Services) 1. Narrative From time to time, legislation is proposed that has an indirect effect on expenditures and revenues associated with local government entities (other than the impact included in Tables A and B). Table C shows the estimated fiscal impact of the proposed legislation on such local government entities. 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. Fiscal Costs for Local Government Entities: Table C EXPENDITURES 2020-21 2021-22 2022-23 2023-24 2024-25 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 2020-21 2021-22 2022-23 2023-24 2024-25 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 local government entities during the five year measurement period. 2. Expenditures: No measurable effects. 3. Revenues: No measurable effects. IV. FISCAL IMPACT ON STATE GOVERNMENT ENTITIES [Completed by LFO] This section of the actuarial note pertains to annual fiscal costs, cost savings, and revenue impacts incurred by state government entities other than those included in Tables A and B. See Table D. Estimated Fiscal Impact − State Government Entities (other than the impact included in Tables A and B) (Prepared by John Carpenter, Legislative Fiscal Officer) 1. Narrative Legislation may be proposed that has an indirect effect on expenditures and revenues associated with state government entities (other than the impact included in Tables A and B). Table D shows the estimated fiscal impact of the proposed legislation on such state government entities. 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. 2020 REGULAR SESSION ACTUARIAL NOTE HB 14 Page 5 of 6 Fiscal Costs for State Government Entities: Table D EXPENDITURES 2020-21 2021-22 2022-23 2023-24 2024-25 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 2020-21 2021-22 2022-23 2023-24 2024-25 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 state government entities during the five year measurement period. 2. Expenditures: N/A - This bill only impacts local government and therefore, has no state impact. The LFO does not review local government bills. 3. Revenues: N/A - This bill only impacts local government and therefore, has no state impact. The LFO does not review local government bills. Credentials of the Signatory Staff: Lowell P. Good is 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. Risk disclosures otherwise required by ASOP No. 51 do not apply to this Actuarial Note because the proposed bill does not significantly change the types or levels of risks of the retirement system. 2020 REGULAR SESSION ACTUARIAL NOTE HB 14 Page 6 of 6 Information Pertaining to Article (10)(29(F) of the Louisiana Constitution HB 14 contains a retirement system benefit provision having an actuarial cost. No member of the Firefighters’ Retirement System would receive a larger benefit with the enactment of HB 14 than what he would have received without HB 14. Dual Referral Relative to Total Fiscal Costs or Total Cash Flows: The information presented below is based on information contained in Tables A, B, C, and D for the first three years following the 2020 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