§102. Employer contributions; determination; state systems

A. The provisions of this Section are applicable with respect to the state public retirement systems, whose benefits are guaranteed by Article X, Section 29(A) and (B) of the Constitution of Louisiana.

B.(1) Except as provided in R.S. 11:102.1, 102.2, 102.3, 102.4, and 102.5 and in Paragraph (5) of this Subsection, for each fiscal year, commencing with Fiscal Year 1989-1990, for each of the public retirement systems referenced in Subsection A of this Section, the legislature shall set the required employer contribution rate for each system or plan equal to the actuarially required employer contribution, as determined pursuant to the provisions of this Section, divided by the total projected payroll of all active members of each particular system or plan for the fiscal year. Each entity funding a portion of a member's salary shall also fund the employer's contribution on that portion of the member's salary at the employer contribution rate specified in this Section.

(2)(a) At the end of each fiscal year, the difference between the actuarially required employer contribution for the fiscal year, as determined pursuant to the provisions of this Section, and the amount of employer contributions actually received for the fiscal year, excluding any amounts received for the extraordinary purchase of additional benefits or service, shall be determined.

(b) If the amount of employer contributions received for the fiscal year is less than the actuarially required employer contribution for the fiscal year due to the failure of the legislature to appropriate funds at the required employer contribution rate, the difference shall be paid by the state treasurer from the state general fund upon warrant from the governing authority of the retirement system.

(c) At the end of each fiscal year, the difference between the minimum employer contribution, as required by the Constitution of Louisiana, and the actuarially required employer contribution for the fiscal year, as determined pursuant to the provisions of this Section, shall be determined and applied in accordance with the following provisions:

(i) The amount, if any, by which the actuarially required contribution for a system exceeds the constitutionally required minimum contribution for that system shall be accumulated in an employer credit account which shall be adjusted annually to reflect any gain or loss attributable to the balance in the account at the actuarial rate of return earned by the system.

(ii) Except as provided in Paragraph (5) of this Subsection, annual contributions required in accordance with this Section, or the constitutional minimum if greater, may be funded in whole or in part from the employer credit account, provided the employee contribution rate or rates for the system as set forth in R.S. 11:62 has or have been reduced to an amount equal to or less than fifty percent of the annual normal cost for the system or the plan rounded to the nearest one-quarter percent.

(d) Except as provided in R.S. 11:102.1 and 102.2, differences occurring for any other reason shall be added to or subtracted from the following fiscal year's actuarially required employer contribution in accordance with the provisions of this Section.

(3) With respect to each state public retirement system, the actuarially required employer contribution for each fiscal year, commencing with Fiscal Year 1989-1990, shall be that dollar amount equal to the sum of:

(a) The employer's normal cost for that fiscal year, computed as of the first of the fiscal year using the system's actuarial funding method as specified in R.S. 11:22 and taking into account the value of future accumulated employee contributions and interest thereon, such employer's normal cost rate multiplied by the total projected payroll for all active members to the middle of that fiscal year. For the Louisiana State Employees' Retirement System, effective for the June 30, 2010 system valuation and beginning with Fiscal Year 2011-2012, the normal cost shall be determined in accordance with Subsection C of this Section. For the Teachers' Retirement System of Louisiana, effective for the June 30, 2011 system valuation and beginning with Fiscal Year 2012-2013, the normal cost shall be determined in accordance with Subsection D of this Section.

(b) That fiscal year's payment, computed as of the first of that fiscal year and projected to the middle of that fiscal year at the actuarially assumed interest rate, taking into account consolidation with other amortization bases, if any, as provided in R.S. 11:42, 102.1, and 102.2, and using the system's amortization method specified in R.S. 11:42, necessary to amortize the unfunded accrued liability as of June 30, 1988, such unfunded accrued liability computed using the system's actuarial funding method as specified in R.S. 11:22.

(c) Except as provided in R.S. 11:102.1 and 102.2, that fiscal year's payment, computed as of the first of that fiscal year and projected to the middle of that fiscal year at the actuarially assumed interest rate, necessary to amortize the prior year's over or underpayment as a level dollar amount over a period of five years.

(d) That fiscal year's payment, computed as of the first of that fiscal year and projected to the middle of that fiscal year at the actuarially assumed interest rate, necessary to amortize changes in actuarial liability due to:

(i) Actuarial gains and losses, if appropriate for the funding method used by the system as specified in R.S. 11:22, for each fiscal year beginning after June 30, 1988, such payments to be computed as provided in Subsection C, D, E, or F of this Section.

(ii) Changes in the method of valuing of assets, such payments to be computed as provided in Subsection C, D, E, or F of this Section.

(iii) Changes in actuarial assumptions or actuarial funding methods, excluding changes in methods of valuing of assets, such payments to be computed as provided in Subsection C, D, E, or F of this Section.

(iv) Changes in actuarial accrued liability, computed using the actuarial funding method as specified in R.S. 11:22, due to legislation changing plan provisions, such payments to be computed in the manner and over the time period specified in the legislation creating the change or, if not specified in such legislation, as provided in Subsection C, D, E, or F of this Section.

(v) - (viii) Repealed by Acts 2016, No. 95, §2, eff. June 30, 2016.

(e) Beginning in the first fiscal year in which the projected aggregate employer contribution rate, calculated without regard to any changes in the board-approved actuarial valuation rate, will not increase, the projected noninvestment-related administrative expenses for the fiscal year.

(4) At the end of the fiscal year during which the assets of a system, excluding the outstanding balance due to Subparagraph (B)(3)(c) of this Section, exceed the actuarial accrued liability of that system, the amortization schedules calculated pursuant to Subparagraphs (B)(3)(b) and (d) and Subsection C, D, E, or F of this Section shall be fully liquidated and assets in excess of the actuarial accrued liability shall be amortized as a credit in accordance with the provisions of Subparagraph (B)(3)(d) and Subsection C, D, E, or F of this Section.

(5)(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section to the contrary, the gross employer contribution rate for the Louisiana State Employees' Retirement System and the Teachers' Retirement System of Louisiana shall not be less than fifteen and one-half percent per year until such time as the unfunded accrued liability that existed on June 30, 2004, is fully funded.

(b) At the end of each fiscal year, the difference, if any, by which the amount of contributions received from payment of all employer contributions at the fixed minimum employer contribution rate established pursuant to this Paragraph exceeds the greater of the minimum employer contribution required by Article X, Section 29 of the Constitution of Louisiana or the statutory minimum employer contribution calculated according to the methodology provided for in Subparagraph (3)(d) of this Subsection or in Subsection C or D of this Section shall be accumulated in an employer credit account for the respective system.

(c) The employer credit account shall be adjusted annually to reflect any gain or loss attributable to the balance in the account at the actuarial rate of return earned by the system.

(d)(i) Except as provided in R.S. 11:102.1 and 102.2, the employer credit account of a system shall be used exclusively to reduce any unfunded accrued liability of that system created before July 1, 2004, and shall not be debited for any other purpose.

(ii) Effective for the June 30, 2009 system valuation and beginning July 1, 2010, any funds in the system's employer credit account shall be applied to the remaining balance of the original amortization base or the experience account amortization base established in accordance with and as further provided by R.S. 11:102.1 or 102.2.

C.(1) The provisions of this Subsection shall apply to the Louisiana State Employees' Retirement System.

(2)(a) Except as provided in Subparagraph (b) of this Paragraph and in R.S. 11:102.5, effective July 1, 2004, and beginning with Fiscal Year 1998-1999, the amortization period for the changes, gains, or losses of the system provided in Items (B)(3)(d)(i) through (iv) of this Section shall be thirty years from the year in which the change, gain, or loss occurred. The outstanding balances of amortization bases established pursuant to Items (B)(3)(d)(i) through (iv) of this Section before Fiscal Year 1998-1999, shall be amortized as a level-dollar amount from July 1, 2004, through June 30, 2029. Beginning with Fiscal Year 2003-2004, and for each fiscal year thereafter, the outstanding balances of amortization bases established pursuant to Items (B)(3)(d)(i) through (iv) of this Section shall be amortized as a level-dollar amount. Effective for the June 30, 2010 system valuation and beginning with Fiscal Year 2011-2012, amortization payments for changes in actuarial liability shall be determined in accordance with this Subsection.

(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of Subparagraph (a) of this Paragraph, effective for the June thirtieth valuation following the fiscal year in which the system first attains a funded percentage of seventy or more pursuant to R.S. 11:542 and for every year thereafter, the amortization period for the changes, gains, or losses of the system provided in Items (B)(3)(d)(i) through (iv) of this Section occurring in that year or thereafter shall be twenty years from the year in which the change, gain, or loss occurred.

(c) Effective for the first system valuation following June 30, 2015, in which an allocation is made to the system's experience account and for each valuation thereafter, actuarial gains allocated to the experience account shall be amortized as a loss with level payments over a ten-year period.

(3) The provisions of this Paragraph and Paragraphs (4) through (9) of this Subsection shall be effective for the June 30, 2010 system valuation and beginning Fiscal Year 2011-2012. For purposes of this Subsection, "plan" or "plans" shall mean a subgroup within the system characterized by the following employee classifications:

(a) Rank-and-file members of the system.

(b) Full-time law enforcement personnel, supervisors, or administrators who are employed with the Department of Revenue or office of alcohol and tobacco control and who are P.O.S.T. certified, have the power to arrest, and hold a commission from such office.

(c) Peace officers, as defined by R.S. 40:2402(3)(a), employed by the Department of Public Safety and Corrections, office of state police, other than state troopers.

(d) Judges and court officers to whom Subpart A of Part VII of Chapter 1 of Subtitle II of this Title is applicable.

(e) Wildlife agents to whom Subpart B of Part VII of Chapter 1 of Subtitle II of this Title is applicable.

(f) Wardens, correctional officers, probation and parole officers, and security personnel employed by the Department of Public Safety and Corrections who are members of the secondary component pursuant to Subpart C of Part VII of Chapter 1 of Subtitle II of this Title.

(g) Correctional officers, probation and parole officers, and security personnel employed by the Department of Public Safety and Corrections who are members of the primary component.

(h) Legislators, the governor, and the lieutenant governor.

(i) Employees of the bridge police section of the Crescent City Connection Division of the Department of Transportation and Development.

(j) Hazardous duty plan members as provided pursuant to R.S. 11:611 et seq.

(k) Judges as provided pursuant to R.S. 11:62(5)(a)(iii) and 444(A)(1)(a)(ii).

(l) Harbor Police Retirement Plan members as provided pursuant to R.S. 11:631.

(m) Any other specialty retirement plan provided for a subgroup of system members. If the legislation enacting such a plan is silent as to the application of this Subsection, the Public Retirement Systems' Actuarial Committee shall provide for the application to such plan.

(4) Effective for the June 30, 2010 system valuation and beginning with Fiscal Year 2011-2012, the normal cost calculated pursuant to Subparagraph (B)(3)(a) of this Section, shall be calculated separately for each particular plan within the system. An employer shall pay employer contributions for each employee at the rate applicable to the plan of which that employee is a member.

(5) Effective for the June 30, 2010 system valuation and beginning with Fiscal Year 2011-2012, changes in actuarial liability due to legislation, changes in governmental organization, or reclassification of employees or positions shall be calculated individually for each particular plan within the system based on each plan's actuarial experience as further provided in Subparagraph (6)(c) of this Subsection.

(6) For each plan referenced in Paragraph (3) of this Subsection, the legislature shall set the required employer contribution rate equal to the sum of the following:

(a) The particularized normal cost rate. The normal cost rate for each fiscal year shall be the employer's normal cost for the plan computed by applying the method specified in R.S. 11:102(B)(1) and (3)(a) to the plan.

(b) The shared unfunded accrued liability rate. (i) Except as provided in Item (ii) of this Subparagraph, a single rate shall be computed for each fiscal year, applicable to all plans for actuarial changes, gains, and losses existing on June 30, 2010, or occurring thereafter, including experience and investment gains and losses, which are independent of the existence of the plans listed in Paragraph (3) of this Subsection, the payment and rate therefor shall be calculated as provided in this Subsection and Paragraphs (B)(1) and (3) of this Section.

(ii) The shared unfunded accrued liability rate applicable to the Harbor Police Retirement System shall not include any unfunded accrued liability incurred on or before July 1, 2015, until the earlier of:

(aa) July 1, 2022.

(bb) The date that all sums payable by the Port of New Orleans to the board of trustees of the Louisiana State Employees' Retirement System pursuant to the terms and conditions of a cooperative endeavor agreement between the board of trustees of the Louisiana State Employees' Retirement System, the board of commissioners of the Port of New Orleans, and the board of trustees of the Harbor Police Retirement System regarding the merger of the Harbor Police Retirement System into the Louisiana State Employees' Retirement System have been paid in full.

(c) The particularized unfunded accrued liability rate. For actuarial changes, gains, and losses, excluding experience and investment gains and losses, first recognized in the June 30, 2010 valuation or in any later valuation, attributable to one or more, but not all, plans listed in Paragraph (3) of this Subsection or to some new plan or plans, created, implemented, or enacted after July 1, 2010, a particularized contribution rate shall be calculated as provided in this Subsection and Paragraphs (B)(1) and (3) of this Section.

(d) The shared gross employer contribution rate difference. The gross employer contribution rate difference shall be the difference between the minimum gross employer contribution rate provided in Paragraph (B)(5) of this Section and the aggregate employer contribution rate calculated pursuant to the provisions of Subsection B of this Section.

(7) Each entity funding a portion of the member's salary shall also fund the employer's contribution on that portion of the member's salary at the employer contribution rate specified in this Subsection.

(8) For purposes of Paragraph (B)(2) of this Section the actuarially required employer contributions and the employer contributions actually received for all plans shall be totaled and treated as a single contribution.

(9) If provisions of this Section cover matters not specifically addressed by the provisions of this Subsection, then those provisions shall be applicable.

D.(1) The provisions of this Subsection shall apply to the Teachers' Retirement System of Louisiana.

(2)(a) Except as provided in Subparagraph (b) of this Paragraph and in R.S. 11:102.5, effective July 1, 2004, and beginning with Fiscal Year 2000-2001, the amortization period for the changes, gains, or losses of the system provided in Items (B)(3)(d)(i) through (iv) of this Section shall be thirty years from the year in which the change, gain, or loss occurred. The outstanding balances of amortization bases established pursuant to Items (B)(3)(d)(i) through (iv) of this Section before Fiscal Year 2000-2001, shall be amortized as a level-dollar amount from July 1, 2004, through June 30, 2029. Beginning with Fiscal Year 2003-2004, and for each fiscal year thereafter, the outstanding balances of amortization bases established pursuant to Items (B)(3)(d)(i) through (iv) of this Section shall be amortized as a level-dollar amount. Effective for the June 30, 2011 system valuation and beginning with Fiscal Year 2012-2013, amortization payments for changes in actuarial liability shall be determined in accordance with this Subsection.

(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of Subparagraph (a) of this Paragraph, effective for the June thirtieth valuation following the fiscal year in which the system first attains a funded percentage of seventy or more pursuant to R.S. 11:883.1 and for every year thereafter, the amortization period for the changes, gains, or losses of the system provided in Items (B)(3)(d)(i) through (iv) of this Section occurring in that year or thereafter shall be twenty years from the year in which the change, gain, or loss occurred.

(c) Effective for the first system valuation following June 30, 2015, in which an allocation is made to the system's experience account and for each valuation thereafter, actuarial gains allocated to the experience account shall be amortized as a loss with level payments over a ten-year period.

(3) The provisions of this Paragraph and Paragraphs (4) through (9) of this Subsection shall be effective for the June 30, 2011 system valuation and beginning Fiscal Year 2012-2013. For purposes of this Subsection, "plan" or "plans" shall mean a subgroup within the system characterized by the following employee classifications:

(a) Employees of an institution of postsecondary education, the Board of Regents, or a postsecondary education management board who are not employed for the sole purpose of providing instruction or administrative services at the primary or secondary level, including at any lab school and the Jimmy D. Long, Sr. Louisiana School for Math, Science, and the Arts.

(b) Any other specialty retirement plan provided for a subgroup of system members. If the legislation enacting such a plan is silent as to the application of this Subsection, the Public Retirement Systems' Actuarial Committee shall provide for the application to such plan.

(c) All other teachers, as defined in R.S. 11:701(33), including members paid from school food service funds as provided in R.S. 11:801 and 811.

(4) Effective for the June 30, 2011 system valuation and beginning with Fiscal Year 2012-2013, the normal cost calculated pursuant to Subparagraph (B)(3)(a) of this Section, shall be calculated separately for each particular plan within the system. An employer shall pay employer contributions for each employee at the rate applicable to the plan of which that employee is a member.

(5) Effective for the June 30, 2011 system valuation and beginning with Fiscal Year 2012-2013, changes in actuarial liability due to legislation, changes in governmental organization, or reclassification of employees or positions shall be calculated individually for each particular plan within the system based on each plan's actuarial experience as further provided in Subparagraph (6)(c) of this Subsection.

(6) For each plan referenced in Paragraph (3) of this Subsection, the legislature shall set the required employer contribution rate equal to the sum of the following:

(a) The particularized normal cost rate. The normal cost rate for each fiscal year shall be the employer's normal cost for employees in the plan computed by applying the method specified in Paragraph (B)(1) and Subparagraph (B)(3)(a) of this Section to the plan.

(b) The shared unfunded accrued liability rate. A single rate shall be computed for each fiscal year, applicable to all plans for actuarial changes, gains, and losses existing on June 30, 2011, or occurring thereafter, including experience and investment gains and losses, which are independent of the existence of the plans listed in Paragraph (3) of this Subsection, the payment and rate therefor shall be calculated as provided in this Subsection and Paragraphs (B)(1) and (3) of this Section.

(c) The particularized unfunded accrued liability rate. For actuarial changes, gains, and losses, excluding experience and investment gains and losses, first recognized in the June 30, 2011 valuation or in any later valuation, attributable to one or more, but not all, plans listed in Paragraph (3) of this Subsection or to some new plan or plans, created, implemented, or enacted after July 1, 2011, a particularized contribution rate shall be calculated as provided in this Subsection and Paragraphs (B)(1) and (3) of this Section.

(d) The shared gross employer contribution rate difference. The gross employer contribution rate difference shall be the difference between the minimum gross employer contribution rate provided in Paragraph (B)(5) of this Section and the aggregate employer contribution rate calculated pursuant to the provisions of Subsection B of this Section.

(7) Each entity funding a portion of the member's salary shall also fund the employer's contribution on that portion of the member's salary at the employer contribution rate specified in this Subsection.

(8) For purposes of Paragraph (B)(2) of this Section the actuarially required employer contributions and the employer contributions actually received for all plans shall be totaled and treated as a single contribution.

(9) If provisions of this Section cover matters not specifically addressed by the provisions of this Subsection, then those provisions shall be applicable.

E.(1) Except as provided in Paragraphs (2) and (3) of this Subsection and in R.S. 11:102.5, effective July 1, 2004, and beginning with Fiscal Year 2000-2001, the amortization period for the changes, gains, or losses of the Louisiana School Employees' Retirement System provided in Items (B)(3)(d)(i) through (iv) of this Section shall be thirty years from the year in which the change, gain, or loss occurred. The outstanding balances of amortization bases established pursuant to Items (B)(3)(d)(i) through (iv) of this Section before Fiscal Year 2000-2001, shall be amortized as a level-dollar amount from July 1, 2004, through June 30, 2029. Beginning with Fiscal Year 2003-2004, and for each fiscal year thereafter, the outstanding balances of amortization bases established pursuant to Items (B)(3)(d)(i) through (iv) of this Section shall be amortized as a level-dollar amount.

(2)(a) All outstanding amortization bases in existence on June 30, 2014, including outstanding balances established pursuant to Subparagraph (B)(3)(c) of this Section, shall be consolidated and reamortized over the period ending June 30, 2044, with level-dollar payments, effective with the June 30, 2014 valuation. This Paragraph shall not apply to amortization bases established after June 30, 2014.

(b) After payment of a permanent benefit increase pursuant to the provisions of R.S. 11:1145.1, the unused portion of the June 30, 2013 experience account balance shall be credited in an amortization conversion account from which annual contributions required pursuant to Subparagraph (a) of this Paragraph shall be funded in whole or in part for the years July 1, 2014, through June 30, 2019. Effective June 30, 2019, all funds remaining in the amortization conversion account shall be amortized as a gain in accordance with the provisions of this Subsection.

(3) Notwithstanding the provisions of Paragraph (1) of this Subsection, effective for the June thirtieth valuation following the fiscal year in which the system first attains a funded percentage of seventy-two or more pursuant to R.S. 11:1145.1 and for every year thereafter, the amortization period for the changes, gains, or losses of the system provided in Items (B)(3)(d)(i) through (iv) of this Section occurring in that year or thereafter shall be twenty years from the year in which the change, gain, or loss occurred.

(4) Effective for the first system valuation following June 30, 2015, in which an allocation is made to the system's experience account and for each valuation thereafter, actuarial gains allocated to the experience account shall be amortized as a loss with level payments over a ten-year period.

F.(1) Except as provided in Paragraph (2) of this Subsection and in R.S. 11:102.5, effective July 1, 2009, and beginning with Fiscal Year 1992-1993, the amortization period for the changes, gains, or losses of the Louisiana State Police Retirement System provided in Items (B)(3)(d)(i) through (iv) of this Section shall be thirty years from the year in which the change, gain, or loss occurred. The outstanding balances of amortization bases established pursuant to Items (B)(3)(d)(i) through (iv) of this Section before Fiscal Year 2008-2009 shall be amortized as a level-dollar amount from July 1, 2009, through June 30, 2029. Beginning with Fiscal Year 2008-2009, and for each fiscal year thereafter, the outstanding balances of amortization bases established pursuant to Items (B)(3)(d)(i) through (iv) of this Section shall be amortized as a level-dollar amount.

(2) Notwithstanding the provisions of Paragraph (1) of this Subsection, effective for the June thirtieth valuation following the fiscal year in which the system first attains a funded percentage of seventy or more pursuant to R.S. 11:1332 and for every year thereafter, the amortization period for the changes, gains, or losses of the system provided in Items (B)(3)(d)(i) through (iv) of this Section occurring in that year or thereafter shall be twenty years from the year in which the change, gain, or loss occurred.

(3) Effective for the first system valuation following June 30, 2015, in which an allocation is made to the system's experience account and for each valuation thereafter, actuarial gains allocated to the experience account shall be amortized as a loss with level payments over a ten-year period.

Acts 1988, No. 81, §2, eff. July 1, 1989; Acts 1989 1st Ex. Sess., No. 4, §1, eff. July 1, 1989; Acts 1990, No. 470, §1, eff. July 1, 1990; Acts 1992, No. 257, §1, eff. July 1, 1992; Acts 1993, No. 734, §1, eff. July 1, 1993; Acts 1999, No. 1331, §1; Acts 2000, 1st Ex. Sess., No. 14, §1, eff. April 14, 2000; Acts 2004, No. 588, §1, eff. June 30, 2004; Acts 2008, No. 852, §1, eff. July 1, 2008; Acts 2009, No. 497, §1, eff. June 30, 2009; Acts 2010, No. 1026, §1, eff. July 1, 2010; Acts 2010, No. 861, §4, eff. August 15, 2010; Acts 2012, No. 483, §1, declared unconstitutional by La. Supreme Court; Acts 2012, No. 716, §1, eff. June 11, 2012; Acts 2012, No. 227, §1, eff. August 1, 2012; HCR 2 of the 2013 R.S., eff. May 23, 2013; Acts 2014, No. 23, §1, eff. June 30, 2014; Acts 2014, No. 399, §1, eff. June 30, 2014; Acts 2014, No. 478, §1, eff. June 30, 2014; Acts 2014, No. 648, §2, see Act for effective date; Acts 2016, No. 94, §1, eff. June 10, 2016; Acts 2016, No. 95, §§1, 2, eff. June 30, 2016; Acts 2017, No. 374, §1, eff. June 23, 2017.

NOTE: See Acts 2004, No. 588, §2, relative to balances in the Employee Experience Account of the La. State Employees' Retirement System and the Teachers' Retirement System of La. on June 30, 2004.

NOTE: See Acts 2009, No. 497, §2, eff. June 30, 2009, relative to conflicts with previous Acts and §4 relative to effect on contribution rates.

NOTE: See Acts 2014, No. 399, §2, relative to the determination of excess returns for the June 30, 2014, system valuations.

NOTE: See Acts 2014, No. 852, relative to calculation and payment of UAL for probation and parole officers in LASERS.

NOTE: See Acts 2014, No. 648, §6(B), regarding contingent effective date.