INTRODUCTORY INFORMATION:
- Schedule of Employee Benefits – The LSU Agricultural Center offers a wide range of benefits to its employees. This brochure includes a general explanation of the major benefits.
- Orientation Registration (Required) – A monthly orientation for all new employees is held the second Tuesday of each month. New employees must attend the first orientation session, which occurs after their employment begins. This section provides the session agenda and the form required for registering for a session.
- Forms Checklist (Required) – A checklist of the forms that are required to be turned in so that the employee may receive a paycheck.
FOLDER ONE: GENERAL EMPLOYMENT FORMS
(Required) – complete all information
- Tax Forms (2): W-4 Federal and L-4 State. (Both Required) – complete and sign both forms. (If you are a non-resident alien, see section #5 before completing tax forms.)
- I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification (Required) – complete the top section no later than the first day of employment. Within three days of your employment, you will be required to provide documents verifying your identify and U.S. Employment eligibility, as shown in section tow and the attachment to the I-9 form.
- Direct Deposit Authorization (Required) – direct deposit of payroll checks is mandatory. For account verification, a voided check or deposit ticket must be submitted with this form.
- Drug Policy Certification (PS-18) (Required) – Read AgCenter PS-18 “Illegal Use of Drugs or Alcohol” and sign the certification statement. Keep the PS-18 and one copy of the certification statement for your records.
- Selective Service Verification (Required for Males ages 18-25) - All male U.S. Citizens and male resident aliens living in the U.S. who are ages 18-25 must register with Selective Service. If you have already registered, attach a copy of your verification document. If you have not registered, follow the instructions on the form to get registered and attach a copy of the verification. You may not be employed without verification of selective service registration.
- Vehicle Authorization (Required) - For all drivers who are authorized to operate a State vehicle, or a private vehicle for State purposes.
FOLDER TWO: RETIREMENT FORMS
The information in this folder relates to retirement for eligible Academic, Appointed, or Unclassified employees. If you do not meet all of the following eligibility requirements, please contact the AgCenter Human Resource Management Office for the correct retirement folder:
1. Must be an Academic, Appointed or Unclassified employee
2. Appointment must exceed two years
3. If part-time, the appointment must be for greater than 50% of full-time
4. Not on an F-1 or J-1 Visa
Note: If you have 10 or more years of creditable service in (or are retired from) the LA. State Employees’ Retirement System (LASERS) or if you are retired from the Teachers’ Retirement System of LA. (TRSL), please contact the AgCenter HRM office before proceeding with these enrollment forms.
You have the option of enrolling in either the Teachers’ Retirement System of LA. (TRSL) or the Optional Retirement Plan (ORP). Your choice of a retirement system must be submitted tot the AgCenter HRM office within the first sixty (60) days of employment. After 60 days, if enrollment forms are not submitted, you will be required to participate in the TRSL plan. You are encouraged to use these sixty (60) days for obtaining any available information to aid you in making your retirement system election. The employee contribution of 8% will be immediately withheld from your salary. As soon as you make a retirement election, these contributions will be forwarded to the proper system.
CLICK ON THE LINKS BELOW FOR BROCHURES FOR THE TEACHERS' RETIREMENT SYSTEM AND THE THREE OPTIONAL RETIREMENT PLAN CARRIERS. PLEASE MAKE ONE ELECTION.
1. Teachers' Retirement System of Louisiana (TRSL) - a "defined benefit" plan wherein the employee and employer make contributions into a "pool" of funds from which you receive a retirement income based on a benefit formula. The employee contribution is 8%. The formula for maximum retirement benefits is 2.5% times years of creditable service (with certain provisions for converting unused leave to service credit) times the average salary of the thirty-six (36) highest successive months. Minimum eligibility requirements to retire and the formula percentages are: 5 years at age 60 - excluding military (2.5%); 20 years at any age (actuarially reduced benefit); 25 years at age 55 (2.5%); 30 years at any age (2.5%); Click here to view the TRSL Benefits Handbook.
2. Optional Retirement Plan (ORP) - Authorized carriers are ING (AETNA), TIAA-CREF, and AIG (VALIC) - a "defined contribution" plan to which you and your employer make contributions through TRSL to the carrier of your choice to be invested in a retirement annuity contract in your name. The employee contribution is 8% and the employer contribution for fiscal year 2007-2008 is 6.9336%. There is a small TRSL administrative fee of .1% in addition to any administrative fee charged by the individual carrier. The amount of your monthly annuity income at retirement is based exclusively on the contributions and their investment earnings, the age at which you begin receiving benefits, and the type of annuity you choose. Once a year, each November and December, you may elect a change of carrier with an effective date of January 1 of the following year.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR ENROLLING IN THE TEACHERS' RETIREMENT SYSTEM - If you elect the TRSL, you will have the option to make an irrevocable election to transfer to the ORP at any time prior to attainment of five years of creditable service in the TRSL.
1. Complete Section I of the Enrollment Application (Form 2) (Required) and note the following:
a. Attach a copy of your birth certificate and social security card.
b. Home address and telephone number should be your new address and number. Leave blank if not yet known.
2. Complete the Designation of Beneficiary forms (Forms 3 & 3S) (Required) front and back.
3. Send all completed forms to the AgCenter Human Resource Management Office.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR ENROLLING IN THE OPTIONAL RETIREMENT PLAN - The decision to participate in the ORP is irrevocable.
1. Complete Sections I,II and III of the blue Application for Optional Retirement Plan -Form 16 (Required) - Submit this form to the AgCenter Human Resource Management Office.
2. Listed below are links to the carrier brochures as well as the contact persons for each carrier. The carrier of your choice will provide you with the ORP carrier's contract. The carrier's contract must be completed and submitted directly to the carrier. A copy must be sent to the AgCenter Human Resource Management Office with the blue ORP Enrollment Application (Form 16) mentioned in item #1.
ING - Mike Sotile (225-766-8711)
TIAA-CREF -Katherine Hildreth (1-800-842-2006)
AIG (VALIC) - David Mills (225-931-9090) or Drake Aguillard (504-599-9015)
Statement concerning your employment in a job not covered by Social Security – (Required when enrolling in TRSL or ORP) This form explains the potential effects of two provisions in the Social Security law for workers who also receive a pension based on their work in a job not covered by Social Security. The Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) can affect the amount of a worker’s Social Security retirement or disability benefit. The Government Pension Offset (GPO) can affect any possible Social Security benefit entitlement as a spouse or an ex-spouse. Complete this form and return to the AgCenter HRM Office.
Any questions regarding the completion of these documents should be directed to the AgCenter Human Resource Management Office at (225) 578-8229.
ORP / TRSL Comparison of Benefits – View this brochure to see a comparison of the benefit features of the ORP and the TRSL plans.
ORP / TRSL Capsule – View this informational page for FAQ’s regarding ORP and TRSL.
FOLDER THREE: HEALTH INSURANCE & OGB (PRUDENTIAL) LIFE INSURANCE
IMPORTANT NOTE: An election to enroll for or waive any of the following insurances must be made before your salary check will be issued. You do, however, have thirty (30) days from your date of employment to change, without restrictions, any insurance decisions you make.
All insurances covered in this section are optional. A description of each of the insurances and the premium rate schedules for each are included in the Schedule of Employee Benefits. Click on the appropriate link below to view brochures which cover each individual plan in detail.
Health Plan Choices
- Preferred Provider Organization (PPO)
Health Maintenance Organization (HMO)
- LSU System Health Plan (Definity)
Enrollment forms should be completed as follows:
- Office of Group Benefits and Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) Enrollment/Change Form (Required) - Must be completed by all employees, regardless of whether or not you are enrolling in the coverage (medical, life, mental health). Please note the following regarding the enrollment form:
The insurance company will accept no erasures, whiteouts, or strikeouts on the enrollment form.
1) Complete Section A.
2) Complete Section B.
3) In Section C, if participating in the medical insurance, write in the name of the plan you have selected; either the PPO, EPO, HMO, Definity Option 1 or Definity Option 2.
4) Complete Section D. Indicate the level of coverage selected. Employee, spouse and dependent data must be listed if enrolling in any of the medical options. However, employee and spouse data must be provided regardless of whether spouse is being enrolled for coverage. This information is needed for coordination of benefits and for a verification process which ensures that the employee is not already covered under the Group Benefits Program through the spouse's employment.
5) In Section F, Medicare, the question is whether the employee and spouse are presently covered by Medicare. If a covered party is covered by Medicare, this affects the premium rate after retirement.
6) Complete Section G, if applicable. This coverage is available to retirees only.
7) Complete Section H. Mental Health coverage is provided under all health plans. This is an additional benefit. Contact the AgCenter HRM Office for rates.
8) Complete Section J, for life insurance options. If participating in this option, you must also complete the separate form titled “Enrollment Form – State of Louisiana Control #33624” found in the Life Insurance Enrollment Kit. This form is necessary in order to name your beneficiary (complete only if enrolling in this life insurance plan).
9) Complete the Insurance Portability Law (IPL) Form (Required if enrolling in medical coverage) - Complete sections 1 thru 5 if covered under a prior health insurance policy within 63 days of enrollment of this coverage or sections 1 and 2 if prior health coverage was not in effect within 63 days of date of health insurance application. Please Note: A certificate of insurance from your prior health plan can be submitted in lieu of the Insurance Portability Law (IPL) Form.
If you have enrolled for any type of coverage (including coverage under any of the health plans or the OGB (Prudential) Life Insurance plan, sign and date at the bottom (left-hand side) of the form next to the “X”.
Section I, is to be completed only if you are waiving all coverage (both health and life insurance).
FOLDER FOUR: OTHER BENEFITS
All insurances covered in this section are optional. Folder #4 includes information on disability, accident, dental, vision, supplemental medical, and life insurance plans. Also included is information on the University's Flexible Benefits Plan for tax sheltering certain insurance premiums and health and dependent care expenses. A general description of each of these items is included in this folder and in the "Schedule of Employee Benefits."
1. Annual Leave Accrual Rate Election Form (Required) - To be completed by all new employees (Academic and Non-classified employees only) whose length of appointment is greater than 180 days. Choose only one option. Sign form and print name & social security number. Election must be made within 30 days of employment.
2. Tax Sheltered Annuity Program (403(b), 403(b)(7) and 457 Plans) - Complete and return this set of forms only if you wish to participate.
3. Tax Saver Flexible Benefits Plan (Required) - This form must be completed by all employees whose appointment is 75% of full-time or greater. Complete both the "Premium Only" and the "Spending Accounts" sections. Complete the section at the bottom of the form, then sign and date it. View the Tax Saver FAQ’s and or the Tax Saver Plan Document for additional information regarding the benefits of this plan. Participants who are electing to enroll in the Health Care and / or Dependent Care Spending Account(s) may also want to enroll in the FSA Direct Deposit and / or the Debit Card Option.
4.. Student Tuition Assistance and Revenue Trust Program - This program, commonly referred to as the “START Saving Program,” was created to help residents save for their children’s postsecondary education. As an incentive to save, the State of Louisiana will allocate funds to an employee’s account at a variable rate, depending upon the amount employees deposit and their adjusted gross income. Applications for children over the age of one are only accepted during open enrollment periods which begin July 1st and end November 1st of each year. The program accepts new applications for children under the age of one at any time during the year. A brochure providing an overview of this program is included in your packet. Interested employees should contact the AgCenter Human Resource Management Office for additional information.
IMPORTANT NOTE: An election to enroll for or waive any of the following insurances must be made before your salary check will be issued. You do, however, have thirty (30) days from your date of employment to change, without restrictions, any insurance decisions you make.
5. Extension Benevolent & Protection Life Insurance (Required) - Available to LCES Academic employees only. This policy provides for $5,000 of life insurance and $5,000.00 AD&D insurance for a monthly premium of $17.25. It becomes effective the first of the month after completion of one full calendar month. Coverage is available to the employee only....no dependent coverage. If enrolling, complete sections 1 through 3 and sign the form. If you do not want coverage, write DO NOT WANT across the front of the form, include your social security number, sign, and date it.
6. Hartford Long-Term Disability Insurance (Required) - If you wish to enroll, complete all information and sign form below "Signature of Employee." If you decline coverage, sign and date the last line of the form and mark the box that states, ”I decline to enroll” .
7. Group Accident Insurance Coverage (AD&D) – If you wish to enroll, complete the enrollment form. If enrolling, be sure to indicate the amount of coverage desired and whether selecting the "Employee Only" plan or the "Family" plan.
8. LSU OPTIONAL INSURANCE PLANS - The plans offered are:
a) Dental Plan – Enhanced Plan Option 1 or Basic Plan Option 2
b) Vision Plan
c) ING Term Life Insurance
d) UNUM Long Term Care Insurance -
Brochure / Enrollment Form / 3 Year Benefit Rates / 6 Year Benefit Rates
e) Asset Protection Plan - Brochure / Sign Up Today Form
9. Optional Insurance Plan Election Form (Required) - This form must be completed after all insurance elections and/or waivers have been made. Complete this form in addition to any plan you elect to participate in.
FOLDER FIVE: ALIEN TAX INFORMATION FORMS (All Non - U.S. Citizens Only)
1. Alien Tax Information Request Form (Required) - Please contact the AgCenter HRM office to confirm that these are the correct forms required for your situation.