• COVID-19

    Information for Members & Visitors

Information & Resources

Last updated: February 2022

LASERS is open with occupancy limits. Masks are not required for individuals inside the Retirement Systems building. 

APPOINTMENTS:

Phone, video, and in-person appointments are available. Schedule an appointment by calling 800.256.3000 (toll-free) or 225.922.0600 (Baton Rouge).

Lobby seating is minimal and spaced for social distancing. Members arriving for individual counseling and walk-in appointments may be asked to wait in their cars until called.

While in the building, please practice 6 ft. social distancing, limit two people to an elevator at one time, and wash your hands and/or use our hand sanitizing stations.

If you are feeling ill or were exposed to COVID-19, please reschedule your visit. 

SUBMITTING DOCUMENTS:

Members may drop off and pick up paperwork at the front desk lobby Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Documents may also be faxed or emailed.

CONTACT US:

Email: Email your questions to us through AskLASERS.

Fax: 225.935.2856

Mailing address: P.O. Box 44213, Baton Rouge, LA 70804-4213

Phone: 225.922.0600 (Baton Rouge) or 1.800.256.3000 (toll-free)

BENEFIT PAYMENTS / DIRECT DEPOSIT:

We strongly urge all retirees and beneficiaries who currently receive a paper check to sign up for direct deposit.

Complete Form 04-05: Authorization for Direct Deposit to start the process of signing up for direct deposit.

Direct Deposits are guaranteed to be in your bank or credit union on the first day of the month. Be aware that if the first falls on a weekend (Saturday or Sunday) or holiday, funds may not be available until the following business day. In these cases, please contact your financial institution directly for information on when your funds will be made available to you. That decision is made by your financial institution, not LASERS.

If you have not received your monthly benefit payment by the first business day of the month, please call LASERS at 225.922.0600 (Baton Rouge) or 800.256.3000 (toll-free).

FINANCIAL STABILITY OF LASERS:

Dramatic fluctuations in the financial markets can cause alarm globally, but be assured your LASERS retirement is secure. Benefit payments to our retirees and beneficiaries will continue to be made on time.

LASERS is financially stable, maintaining its commitment to a broadly diversified portfolio. We continue to comprehensively monitor the plan’s investments in relation to current market environments. LASERS is a long term investor, investing through multiple economic cycles.

While the recent market volatility has caused declines in many markets, it has also created multiple opportunities for our investment managers to seek out undervalued securities, depressed valuations, and other opportunistic investments.

The most common market news is regarding the performance of US publicly traded stocks, most notably the Dow Jones Industrial Average or the S&P 500. LASERS invests in the US stock market, but also invests in many different types of assets across the globe other than publicly traded stocks thereby lowering the risk of the total portfolio.

This demonstrates LASERS commitment to a diversified portfolio, ensuring that we continue to provide a secure retirement for our members and their beneficiaries.

LASERS is well-positioned to meet its long-term goals and objectives.