Louisiana House Bill HB20

Louisiana 2019 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/20/19
• Refer: 2/20/19
• Refer: 4/8/19
• Report Pass: 4/25/19
• Engrossed: 5/6/19
• Refer: 5/7/19
• Report Pass: 5/20/19
• Enrolled: 5/29/19
• Chaptered: 6/4/19
• Passed: 6/4/19

Caption

Provides relative to the retirement contributions of members of the Louisiana School Employees' Retirement System who withdraw from service (EN NO IMPACT APV)

Impact

The enactment of HB 20 will have implications for the retirement planning of school employees in Louisiana. By allowing members to maintain their contributions even after service withdrawal, the bill secures future retirement benefits for those eligible based on their service credits. This amendment is expected to provide more flexibility for educators and support staff, promoting retention within the Louisiana educational workforce by ensuring that their contributions do not go to waste if they leave the service under certain conditions.

Summary

House Bill 20, enacted during the 2019 Regular Session, addresses the retirement contributions of members of the Louisiana School Employees' Retirement System (LSERS) who choose to withdraw from service. The bill specifically amends the existing law to clarify the conditions under which members who enter service after July 1, 2015, can leave their accumulated contributions in the retirement system upon withdrawal after at least five years of service. The adjustment stipulates that these individuals will be eligible to receive their retirement allowance upon reaching the age of sixty-two, calculated based on their service credits at the time of withdrawal.

Sentiment

Overall sentiment toward HB 20 has been positive, particularly among school employees and administrative bodies interested in bolstering the stability of the educational workforce. Supporters believe that the bill serves to enhance employee rights concerning retirement benefits and offers reassurance for employees contemplating withdrawal from service. As a result, the bill is viewed as a step toward improving workforce morale and job satisfaction.

Contention

While the legislation received unanimous support during the voting process, notable points of contention surfaced regarding the timing and criteria for eligibility. Critics of similar measures often raise concerns about the sustainability of retirement systems and the financial implications of allowing extended withdrawal options. However, these concerns were mitigated in this case, suggesting a strong consensus among legislators regarding the necessity of such benefits for school employees.