ABOUT LASERS

Created in 1946, LASERS is a defined benefit plan under Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code.

Governance

The LASERS Board of Trustees governs your retirement system. It is composed of 13 Trustees, nine of whom are elected by the membership.

  • Six Trustees are elected by active members;
  • Three Trustees are elected by retired members;
  • Four ex officio seats are occupied by the Louisiana State Treasurer, the Chair of the Senate Committee on Retirement, a member of the House Committee on Retirement, and the Commissioner of the Division of Administration, or their designees.

Membership

Membership in LASERS is mandatory for all state employees whose employing agencies are LASERS participants, except those exempted by state law. Our membership totals approximately 100,000 members.

The various categories of LASERS members include regular state employees, hazardous duty services, correctional officers, wildlife agents, peace officers, bridge police for the Crescent City Connection (DOTD), alcohol and tobacco agents for the Dept. of Revenue, certain legislative officers and elected officials, and judges and court officers.

For further details, please see the General Membership section of the Member’s Guide to Retirement.

 Membership Figures

as of June 30, 2023
 Annual Benefit Payments  $1.4 billion
 Average Monthly Benefit*  $2,376
 Active Employees  38,414
 Retirees  49,928
 DROP Participants  1,030

*Rank-and-file members

Note: Inactive and terminated vested members are not included in the above Membership Figures.

Funding

The LASERS trust fund is the source of all benefits paid to LASERS members and their beneficiaries.

Funding comes from these sources:

  • Earnings from Investments
  • Employee contributions
  • Employer contributions
  • Legislative Acts (On occasion. Learn more here.)

Assets and Returns (as of 6/30/23)

  • $14.5 billion in Market Value of Assets
  • 11.7% Investment Return
  • 6.07% Actuarial Return

LASERS manages approximately one-third of its investments internally, saving millions of dollars per year in professional management fees.

Investments in Louisiana (as of 6/30/23)

  • Approximately $1.4 billion in benefits paid in Louisiana.
  • Approximately 92% of LASERS retirees live in Louisiana, resulting in an estimated $1.6 billion economic impact on our state and hometown economies.
  • For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2023, LASERS invested approximately $1.9 billion in Louisiana stocks, bonds, and private equity. These investments help support thousands of jobs in Louisiana.

LASERS Gift Policy

No gifts for LASERS employees or trustees, please.

View LASERS Gift Policy >