This section sets rules for the COLA account, including a zero balance on July 1, 2023, limits on credits and debits, and restrictions on granting COLAs.
§547. Cost-of-living adjustment funding account A. Effective July 1, 2023, the balance in the cost-of-living adjustment funding account, referred to in this Section as the "COLA account", shall be zero. B.(1) The COLA account shall be credited as follows: (a) Any amount allocated to the COLA account in accordance with R.S. 11:542. (b) To the extent permitted by Subparagraph (d) of this Paragraph, all employer contributions paid pursuant to R.S. 11:102(C)(6)(e). (c) To the extent permitted by Subparagraph (d) of this Paragraph, an amount not to exceed that portion of the system's net investment income attributable to the balance in the COLA account at the end of the prior year. (d) In no event shall a credit be made to the COLA account that would cause the balance in the account to exceed the reserve necessary to grant two cost-of-living adjustments of two percent in accordance with the provisions of this Section. Any contributions received from payment of the account funding contribution rate in compliance with R.S. 11:102(C)(6)(e) that would cause the account balance to exceed this reserve if deposited in the account shall be applied as provided in R.S. 11:102.1. (2) The COLA account shall be debited as follows: (a) An amount equal to that portion of the system's net investment loss attributable to the balance in the COLA account at the end of the prior year. (b) An amount sufficient to fund a cost-of-living adjustment granted pursuant to the provisions of this Section. (c) In no event shall the balance in the COLA account fall below zero. C. In accordance with the provisions of this Section, the board of trustees may recommend to the president of the Senate and the speaker of the House of Representatives that the system be permitted to grant a cost-of-living adjustment to retirees, beneficiaries, and survivors when the conditions in this Section are satisfied. The board of trustees shall not grant a cost-of-living adjustment unless the cost-of-living adjustment has been approved by the legislature. Receipt of future cost-of-living adjustments, as provided for in this Section, shall not be an accrued benefit. Retirees, beneficiaries, and survivors shall have no right to receive a cost-of-living adjustment until the cost-of-living adjustment has been approved by the legislature. D.(1) Any cost-of-living adjustment granted pursuant to the provisions of this Section shall begin on the July first following legislative approval and shall equal up to two percent, unless the legislature provides for a different rate or amount in the legislative instrument approving the cost-of-living adjustment. If the balance in the COLA account is not sufficient to fully fund the cost-of-living adjustment on an actuarial basis as determined by the system actuary in agreement with the legislative auditor's actuary, no adjustment shall be granted. (2) The calculation of any cost-of-living adjustment paid under the provisions of this Section shall be based on the benefit being paid to the recipient on the effective date of the adjustment and shall be limited to and shall be payable based only on an amount not to exceed sixty thousand dollars of the recipient's annual benefit. E. A benefit recipient shall be eligible to receive a cost-of-living adjustment if the recipient is one of the following: (1) A regular retiree who has received a benefit for at least two years and is at least age sixty-two. (2) A disability retiree who has received a benefit for at least two years regardless of age. (3) A beneficiary of a deceased retiree who, if the retiree were alive, would meet the eligibility criteria in Paragraph (1) or (2) of this Subsection. (4) A nonretiree beneficiary who has received a benefit for at least two years and whose benefits are derived from the service of a deceased member who would be at least age sixty-two if the member were alive. Acts 2023, No. 184, §1, eff. June 8, 2023.