Louisiana House Bill HB82

Louisiana 2014 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/10/14
• Refer: 3/10/14

Caption

Authorizes a retired member of the Teachers' Retirement System of La. who does not have a valid teaching certificate to return to work as a substitute instructor and continue to receive retirement benefits (OR +$250,000 FC LF EX)

Impact

The enactment of HB82 is expected to have a financial impact on the TRSL. Prior legislation, namely Act 921 of 2010, restricted the ability of TRSL members to collect pensions alongside salaries which were perceived to discourage early retirement. By allowing some retirees to return to work under certain conditions, the bill may facilitate earlier retirement decisions among TRSL members, thus increasing annual pension liabilities. Estimates suggest that the bill could result in an annual increase in costs of around $250,000, supplementing an actuarial impact that could raise future benefit payments by approximately $3.2 million.

Summary

House Bill 82 (HB82) seeks to amend the current retirement policy for members of the Teachers’ Retirement System of Louisiana (TRSL). This bill allows retired members who do not hold a valid teaching certificate to return to work as substitute classroom instructors while simultaneously receiving their retirement benefits, as long as their earnings do not exceed 25% of their retirement benefit. The proposed law is aimed at addressing staffing shortages in schools by enabling more retired educators to contribute their experience without jeopardizing their pensions.

Sentiment

The sentiment surrounding HB82 appears to be cautiously optimistic, with proponents arguing that the bill will help alleviate staffing issues in educational settings, particularly in areas needing substitute instructors. However, there are concerns from fiscal analysts regarding the potential for increased costs to the retirement system. Critics may view the precise financial implications with skepticism, questioning whether the short-term flexible employment options for retirees outweigh the long-term liability costs incurred.

Contention

Notable points of contention regarding HB82 include the balance between providing opportunities for retirees to contribute to the education system and the financial sustainability of the TRSL. Opponents of the bill might highlight risks related to changing retirement dynamics and potential impacts on public funding should large numbers of members choose to retire early due to the new incentives. The ongoing debate underscores the challenge of ensuring adequate staffing in schools while maintaining the financial health of the state's retirement system.