The LaSalle Parish Chapter of the Louisiana Retired Teachers Association met on Thursday, Nov. 30 at the LaSalle Parish Library for an update of 2023 legislative efforts and a preview of what to expect in 2024.

The meeting included 10 local members and three guests: Ben Sandifer, Past President, District VII Francis Pugh, Secretary, District VII Sue Sandifer, President, District VII Sue Sandifer, Louisiana Retired Teachers Association District VII president, was guest speaker. She is a graduate of Louisiana Tech University and has a master’s in education from Louisiana State University. Sandifer taught for 33 years in Caddo, Bossier, LaSalle and Catahoula parishes for 33 years and has been a member of the LRTA since 1998.

Sandifer presented an update of LRTA’s 2023 work during Louisiana’s legislative session. One of LRTA’s biggest wins was the passage of a bill to create a new, more predictable model for funding future permanent benefit increases (PBI) for retirees and beneficiaries of the four state retirement systems. The bill received bipartisan support and passed with a vote of 99 to 0. It went into effect July 1, 2023.

The group also discussed Social Security’s Windfall Elimination Provision and how it affects government employees. At this time, WEP negatively affects retired teachers who receive money from the state retirement system and have earned Social Security benefits from other jobs, or through an eligible spouse. As written, WEP cuts or eliminates those earned Social Security benefits. LRTA and its members worked to change that in 2023 and will continue working on this issue in 2024.

Elections of local officers for 2023 were held during this meeting, with Clyde Crooks selected as president of the LaSalle Parish chapter.

LaSalle Parish Retired Teachers will meet again in the Spring following the District VII meeting. If you are interested in becoming a member of the LRTA and the LaSalle Parish chapter, please contact Clyde Crooks at 318312-1680.

The Louisiana Retired Teachers Association (LRTA) is a nonprofit, membership organization that was incorporated in 1956 to organize and establish a body of retired educators that could work together as an incorporated organization to protect and enhance benefits for individuals receiving retirement benefits from the Teachers’ Retirement System of Louisiana (TRSL). LRTA remains the only membership organization in Louisiana devoted solely to protecting the interests of retired educators and continues to promote the professional, social and economic welfare of all Louisiana retired educators.