Related Questions
Your MERS benefits are not subject to Louisiana state taxes, but they are subject to Federal taxes. The state tax exemption can be claimed on Schedule E, line 4D. The code is 05E. In the "Description Box for Other Retirement Benefits" line, print Municipal Employees' Retirement System of LA and provide date of retirement.
For federal taxes, you will receive a 1099-R each year with your gross and taxable earnings. If you received any money from your DROP account or rolled-over your DROP balance, you will receive a separate 1099-R. 1099’s are mailed by January 31 to the address we have on file. We strongly urge you to keep us updated with your current address by using the Self Service Portal to create an account that you can use to submit changes or by submitting a Retiree Update Form.
1. Print a copy of the Personal Information Update Form from our website and mail or fax it to our office; OR
2. Mail or fax the changes to be updated in a letter you sign and date; OR.
3. Your former employer can download the MERS' Personal Information Update form for you to complete and then fax it to our office; OR
4. Log into your account on the Self Service Portal and make the change.
1. You can print a copy of the Authorization for Direct Deposit Form from our website to mail or fax to our office.
2. Your former employer can download the MERS' Authorization for Direct Deposit Form for you to complete and then fax it to our office.
3. You can submit the change through your account on the Self Service Portal.
1. You can print a copy of the W4-P form from our website to mail or fax to our office.
2. Your former employer can download the MERS' W4-P form for you to complete and then fax it to our office.
3. You can submit the change through your account on the Self Service Portal.
1.You must complete a Retiree Income Verification Request form and either mail or fax to the retirement system office. If you do not have internet access you may make your request by writing a letter and mailing it to our office.
2. Benefit Verification Letter can be found on the Self Service Portal.
1. As long as your address is correct in our system, call our office to tell us what year you need a copy of and it will be mailed to your home address on file.
2. 1099R copies can be found on the Self Service Portal.
Direct deposits are guaranteed to be in your bank or credit union on the first day of the month. When the first falls on a Saturday, Sunday or holiday, funds may not be available until the following business day. In these cases, please contact your financial institution directly for information on when your funds will be made available to you. That decision is made by your financial institution, not MERS.
No, a COLA will not be paid in 2026.
Members should be aware that COLAs are not guaranteed unless a self-funded COLA was selected at the time of retirement. When granted by the system, COLAs must be funded for the lifetime of all retirees who will receive the adjustment.
MERS has a Funding Deposit Account that may be used to fund COLAs. Monies are deposited into the account when the employer contribution rate is set at a rate higher than the rate necessary to fund the system.
When adequate funds are in the Funding Deposit Account, the Board of Trustees may consider granting a COLA. The funded level of the system and the history of COLAs come into play. Because a COLA was paid in 2025 and the funded level of MERS is under 90%, a COLA may not be paid in 2026.