Unclassified Professional/Academic Employee Options

Permanent Employee Eligibility

Membership in a retirement plan is MANDATORY for all permanent employees which include:

• Faculty members of the LSU System with an appointment of greater than two years at 50% of full-time effort or greater, except those excluded by law; and
• Unclassified staff members of the LSU System with an appointment of greater than two years at 51% of full-time effort or greater (more than 20 hours per week), except those excluded by law.

Retirement Options as a Permanent Employee

• Teacher’s Retirement System of Louisiana (TRSL),
• Optional Retirement Plan (ORP)
• Comparison of plans

Temporary / Part-time / Special Circumstances
Membership in a retirement plan is MANDATORY for the following employees:

Temporary Employees:

• Have a full-time appointment of less than two years

Part-time Employees:

• A faculty member appointed for less than 50% of full-time effort (20 hours or less per week),
• A staff member appointed for less than 51% of full-time effort (20 hours or less per week).

Special Circumstances:
In addition, the following situations may affect an employees’ retirement eligibility and/or options:

• Employees on a J or F visa are eligible to participate in either Social Security or Louisiana Deferred Compensation if “substantial presence” has been met.
• Employees who are 60 years of age or more at the time of employment, OR for employees who are 55 years of age or more at the time of employment and who have credit for at least 40 quarters in the Social Security System may elect Louisiana Deferred Compensation Plan as an alternative to LASERS.

Retirement Options as a Temporary/ Part-time Employee or for the Above Special Circumstances

1. Social Security
2. Louisiana Deferred Compensation (DCCL)
3. Optional Retirement Plan (ORP)