LASERS Actuarial Valuation Shows Nearly $1 Billion Increase in Assets

Over the past fiscal year, the Louisiana State Employees’ Retirement System (LASERS) actuarial value of assets increased from $9.7 billion to $10.6 billion. This positive information was part of the annual actuarial valuation report for the period ending June 30, 2014, adopted by the LASERS Board of Trustees at its September 26 meeting.

Other highlights from the valuation included: LASERS fiscal year 2014 investment return, which was in excess of 18 percent, a reduction in the employer contribution rate which is expected to save the State of Louisiana approximately $60 million in payments next year, and a decrease in the Normal Cost of the retirement benefit from 6.54 to 3.56 percent.

“The 2014 valuation reflects the implementation of major reforms which are good for LASERS and for Louisiana going forward,” said LASERS Executive Director Cindy Rougeou. “The change to a new cost method, Entry Age Normal; the reduction in the discount rate to 7.75 percent; and the implementation of Act 399 of 2014 which dedicates more investment returns toward the System debt, allows for greater budget stability, and improvement in the overall health and sustainability of the plan.”

LASERS Actuary Shelley Johnson noted in her presentation that LASERS retirees outnumber active members, 46,940 to 40,321. For the fifth consecutive year, the number of active state employees has decreased, resulting in a reduction of the amount of total payroll by $140 million.

The valuation reflected an increase in the Unfunded Accrued Liability (UAL) of the System as a result of the change to Entry Age Normal and the discount rate change, but there will be no change in total benefits to be paid. Rougeou said, “The UAL increase is offset by a corresponding decrease in current and future Normal Costs. LASERS Benefits Louisiana: implementing these important reforms in a time and manner that will not increase costs to the System or the taxpayers.”

To read the complete LASERS Annual Actuarial Valuation, refer to the Annual Reports page on the LASERS website.

Annual Actuarial Valuation Reveals Excellent Numbers for LASERS

Over the past fiscal year, LASERS has seen a $723 million increase in the value of its assets and has improved its funded ratio by over four percent.  With a nearly $700 million decrease in the unfunded accrued liability (UAL), or debt owed to LASERS, the State of Louisiana will save millions of dollars in its employer contribution next year.  "This report is excellent news for our System and our State," noted LASERS Executive Director Cindy Rougeou. "The value of our plan is up, the debt is substantially reduced, and the State of Louisiana will save nearly $26 million in payments next year," Rougeou added. The LASERS Board of Trustees adopted the annual LASERS actuarial valuation report for the period ending June 30, 2013, at its September 27 meeting. The annual report was presented by LASERS Actuary Shelley Johnson, who noted that the changes were driven primarily by excellent investment returns and a significant reduction in the size of the state payroll.  Over the past fiscal year, the number of LASERS active members has decreased by over 8,000.  While the amount of money the State must pay the System will be less, the sizeable reduction in the amount of state payroll will cause the employer contribution rate, a percent of payroll, to increase. The valuation includes a statutorily set payment schedule for the UAL reflecting that the debt owed to the System is expected to decrease by more than $2 billion during the 10-year period of 2012-2022, and by $3.5 billion during the 15-year period of 2012-2027. To read the complete LASERS Annual Actuarial Valuation, refer to the Annual Reports page on the LASERS website.