Louisiana § RS 11:952.38 - Retirement allowance options

Full text of Louisiana Louisiana Civil Code § RS 11:952.38 — Retirement allowance options, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.

§ RS 11:952.38. Retirement allowance options

A.  A member may retire under one of the following options:

Option 1:  pays total of retirement allowance formula in a retirement benefit for life of member, with no benefits payable to a beneficiary after his death except as provided in R.S. 11:952.42(D).

Option 2:  pays ninety percent of total retirement allowance formula in a retirement benefit for life of member.  Upon member's death, pays fifty-five percent of total retirement allowance formula as a benefit to the surviving spouse for life provided the spouse was married to the member at least two years prior to his retirement.

Option 3:  pays a reduced retirement allowance benefit which depends on the difference between member's age and the age of the person the member names to receive benefits after the member's death.  The retirement allowance benefit payable to the member shall be reduced ten percent of the total retirement allowance formula, if the named beneficiary is either older, same age, or less than five years younger; fifteen percent if the named beneficiary is five but less than ten years younger; twenty percent if the named beneficiary is ten but less than fifteen years younger; twenty-five percent if the named beneficiary is fifteen but less than twenty years younger; thirty percent if the named beneficiary is twenty but less than twenty-five years younger; thirty-five percent if the named beneficiary is twenty-five but less than thirty years younger, and forty percent if the named beneficiary is thirty or more years younger.  Upon member's death after retirement, the person named will receive one-half of the member's reduced retirement allowance benefit.

B.  The election of an optional benefit may not be revoked or changed by the member after the date his retirement allowance becomes effective.  If the member or the beneficiary designated under the option dies prior to the date as of which the retirement allowance becomes effective, the election shall thereby be revoked.

C.  If a member fails to file a written designation of an option with the board of supervisors by the date his retirement allowance is to become effective, Option 1 benefits shall be applied and cannot be revoked or changed by the member's late filing for another option.

Added by Acts 1971, No. 26, §1.  Amended by Acts 1972, No. 519, §1.  Redesignated from R.S. 17:1631 pursuant to R.S. 24:253.

Source: official Louisiana text · Last verified 2026-08-27

Frequently Asked Questions About Louisiana § RS 11:952.38

What does Louisiana Civil Code § RS 11:952.38 cover?

Section RS 11:952.38 ("Retirement allowance options") is part of the Louisiana Civil Code, the codified statutory law of Louisiana. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.

How do I cite Louisiana § RS 11:952.38?

A common citation format is "Louisiana Civil Code § RS 11:952.38" (Louisiana). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.

Is this the official text of Louisiana law?

No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Louisiana official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Louisiana attorney.

How does Louisiana § RS 11:952.38 apply to my situation?

Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Louisiana can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.

Sources & Verification

Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Louisiana.