Ready to Retire?

Ready to Retire? Here’s What You Should Know

Retirement is NOT an overnight process.

The preparations leading up to retirement involve teamwork. That team includes YOU, your agency, and LASERS. An important element in the retirement process is time, so planning is critical. Do not start the process one or two days before your planned retirement date. Optimally, you should start the process 12 months away from your target retirement date.

READY TO RETIRE CHECKLIST

12-18 Months Away from Retirement:

Finalize any purchases or transfers of time to have included in your retirement benefits.
Review the Retirement Readiness Planner on the LASERS website (see resources to the right).
Attend a Pre-Retirement Education Seminar (PREP) workshop.
Obtain an estimate of benefits through an appointment with a LASERS representative or by mail using Form 05‐01: Request for Retirement Estimate.
Appointments are held by phone, video, or in person in Baton Rouge. Individual Counseling Sessions are held periodically throughout the State.

6 Months Away from Retirement:

File a retirement application with your Human Resources office. You will also need:

A copy of your birth certificate
A copy of your Social Security card
A copy of the birth certificate of your beneficiary
A copy of the Social Security card of your beneficiary
A copy of marriage license, if Option 4A is selected
A Judgment of Divorce, if applicable
A copy of death certificate of spouse, if applicable

These documents may be submitted at any time during your career. They will be held in your file at LASERS until you are ready to retire.

Additional Forms to Complete:

Form 4‐05: Authorization for Direct Deposit
Form 6‐02: Insurance Premium Deduction Authorization, if applicable (available to agency reps)
Form W4‐P: Withholding Certificate for Pension or Annuity Payments
Form 4‐04: Spousal Consent Form, if applicable

Please Note

Any forms requiring agency certification are not available directly to members. You must contact your Human Resources representative for assistance in completing these forms.

OGB Insurance Coverage

LASERS retirement eligibility rules DIFFER from the Office of Group Benefits (OGB) retiree eligibility for insurance coverage. Please review information about OGB’s coverage for retirees on their website.

If there is a break in service between your date of termination and your effective date of retirement, you will be considered out of state service and your monthly benefit may be reduced and your eligibility to receive credit for leave balances may be impacted. Retiring out of state service may also impact your coverage eligibility with the Office of Group Benefits (OGB). LASERS recommends members contact OGB Customer Service at 1.800.272.8451 with any questions.

What to Expect as an Applicant for Retirement

LASERS will issue a notification to you when your application is received.
A delay in submission of retirement documents will delay your retirement benefit.
Your first retirement check should be issued within 45 days of the effective date of your retirement, provided all required documentation has been received.
Your first retirement check will be mailed to your home address. Future checks should be directly deposited to your financial institution.
If you selected an IBO, 80% of the IBO amount will be transferred to Empower shortly after the effective date of your retirement, provided all required documents are received, and the balance will be transferred once your retirement has been finalized; approximately 3 months after your retirement date.
You must pay your insurance premiums directly through your Human Resource office until deductions from your retirement check are activated (generally 2-4 months).