What is the ATRS Member Portal? 

The ATRS Member Portal is a quick and efficient tool that will link you to your ATRS account, providing several resources and tools to the member or retiree.

Who is the Member Portal For?

The ATRS Member Portal is for active, inactive, and retired members. If you are an option beneficiary, a surviving beneficiary, or an ex-spouse receiving a benefit, you do not have authority to establish online access in the name of an ATRS member or retiree.

How do I log-in and create a new account?

Click this link to find our easy steps to creating an ATRS Member Portal account. Remember these important tips when creating an account:

• Use a username and password you will not forget
• Use a personal email account, not work email, when creating an account
• Once the login process is complete, you will be prompted in the portal to input personal information in order to finalize and connect portal account to ATRS account

What features will I find as a member or retiree?

Member

• Designate or update your ATRS beneficiary
• Update address
• View annual statement
• Run a benefit estimate
• Apply for retirement
• Apply for T-DROP
• View T-DROP balance
• Apply for retirement out of T-DROP
• Upload documents to file

Retiree

• Designate or update your ATRS beneficiary
• Update address
• View 1099 tax statement
• View annuity calculation and monthly retirement amount
• View CBA balance
• Upload documents to file

What can I expect using the Benefit Estimator?

There are two versions of the benefit estimator, a full version for vested members with at least 5 years of ATRS credited service, and a basic version for non-vested members. The full version utilizes the member’s current years of service and final average salary (FAS) to produce a benefit estimate for a member.  The estimate shows what your monthly benefit would be based on your current years of service and FAS.

The basic version is available to members that are not vested. Members are able to add additional years of service, and an estimated FAS. This allows for a member early in their career to run estimate scenarios, thus seeing the impact of being contributory vs non-contributory and the impact on their benefit. 

The Benefit Estimator only has access to your ATRS information, so it cannot produce an accurate estimate if you have reciprocal service credit in another state supported retirement system. Please reach out to ATRS at Info@artrs.gov, or call 501-682-1517, with your ATRS ID (or last four of your Social Security Number and date of birth) for a benefit estimate. Once your information has been verified, ATRS will be able to run a benefit estimate using your reciprocal information.

What type of Troubleshooting might I encounter on the Portal?

While accessing your ATRS Member Portal, you may receive one of the following codes. Below are steps to take when addressing these issues:

• Code 204: Entering incorrect information (such as last for of social security number, name, zip code) that ATRS has on file. Make sure you are using your full name (no nick names), enter the last zip code you know ATRS had on file, check values entered.
• Code 412: Not eligible for an account with ATRS. You may be an option beneficiary, survivor beneficiary, or ex-spouse entitled to a benefit; however, you do not have authority to establish online access in the name of an ATRS member or retiree.
• Code 425: Failed login attempts. The system will take 15 minutes to reset, after which you can attempt to log-in again.
• Code 500: Internal error with ATRS where account is not fully set up on ATRS side. Please reach out to our membership department at 501-682-1517 with your ATRS ID (or last four of your Social Security Number and date of birth) to verify your information. Once verified, ATRS will connect you with our membership department for assistance.
• Code 409: had existing ATRS Member portal account that had been connected to your ATRS account information under a different email. Please reach out to ATRS at 501-682-1517 with your ATRS ID (or last four of your Social Security Number and date of birth) to verify your information. Once verified, ATRS will be able to contact our support team to delete your old account, which will take 24 hours to delete, and you will then be able to create a new account.

You may also encounter the follow situations:

• If you have forgotten your username or password, use the Lost Username/Password feature.
• If both your username and password have been forgotten, please reach out to ATRS at 501-682-1517 with your ATRS ID (or last four of your Social Security Number and date of birth) to verify your information. Once verified, ATRS will be able to contact our support team to delete your old account, which will take 24 hours to delete, and you will then be able to create a new account.

At ATRS, we value our members' questions and concerns and we do our best to answer and address each question. We have listed several of the top questions posed to ATRS in the following categories.

What happens to the money that I contribute to the system?

When ATRS receives your member contribution they are credited to your Member's Deposit Account. Although remitted on your behalf, employer contributions are not credited to your account, but are used together with employee contributions to pay current retirement annuities. The remaining funds are invested in a diversified portfolio of stocks and fixed assets.

Will I eventually get my contributions back?

Yes, you will in terms of a lifetime retirement benefit annuity or if you request a refund. (A refund is available only upon termination from an ATRS Employer.) Contributions paid into ATRS are usually recovered in retirement benefits within 18 to 24 months after retirement. The monthly annuity you receive after that period is paid for the rest of your life through investments.

How do I know how much money I have in my Member's Deposit Account?

Once each year ATRS will provide you with a printed update of your account, known as the "Member's Annual Statement of Account", or you may contact the ATRS Benefits and Counseling Department at (501) 682-1517 or info@artrs.gov to request a copy of your account history.

As an active contributory member, will I have access to the funds in my Member's Deposit Account?

No. You may not access your funds as an active member. If you terminate your employment with a covered employer you may request a refund of your contributions plus interest. However, acceptance of these funds will cancel ALL your service credit (both contributory and noncontributory), ALL membership rights, and ALL beneficiary designations.

Who manages the investment funds?

The ATRS Board of Trustees employs professional money managers who are specialists in their particular area of investments.

Does the Arkansas Teacher Retirement System offer loans to members? Can I borrow from my account?

No. By definition, the Arkansas Teacher Retirement System is a "DEFINED BENEFIT PLAN." One of the specific provisions of a Defined Benefit Plan is that there are no stipulations allowing members to borrow from their accounts. Nor do we have any provisions for loans by our membership.

What requirements must I meet in order to become a member of the Arkansas Teacher Retirement System (ATRS)?

Anyone employed by a Participating Employer is a member of ATRS.

Do I have to become a member of ATRS?

Yes. Membership is a condition of employment in Arkansas public schools and certain state agencies, colleges and universities. If you work for certain agencies, colleges or universities in Arkansas you may have the option to belong to an alternative system such as TIAA-CREF.  

See Participating Employers for more information.

Where is ATRS?

ATRS is located in downtown Little Rock, at 1400 W. 3rd St.  Our offices are open 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. 

See Directions to ATRS for directions and information on where to park.

When will I be vested in the retirement system?

You will be vested (eligible to receive a retirement annuity) with 5 years of Arkansas credited service.

How much am I required to contribute?

As a contributory member you contribute a percentage of your salary (see contribution rates for the current percentage). Contributions are tax-deferred. As a noncontributory member, no contributions are deducted from your salary.

See Your Contributions for more information.

What if I terminate employment with an ATRS covered employer?

If a member terminates employment with an ATRS covered employer and enters employment with another state employer whose position is covered by a participating reciprocal retirement system, the member would be able to utilize reciprocal service for various benefits.

When a member terminates employment with an ATRS covered employer, the member retains all service credit (contributory and noncontributory) with the system.

If a contributory member terminates employment with an ATRS covered employer, he or she may request a refund of member contributions. However, if a member has any intention of returning to work for an ATRS covered employer, the member is encouraged to leave his or her contributions and Service Credit with ATRS as it is very costly to reestablish Service Credit once contributions have been refunded. For more information about refunds, see Requesting a Refund.

If my position is eliminated due to a reduction in force or if I am terminated, what benefits am I entitled to?

Upon termination of employment, an ATRS member may request a refund of contributions plus interest or apply for your retirement annuity when you meet the age and service requirements.

What if I become disabled or incapacitated?

The Arkansas Teacher Retirement System (ATRS) cannot and will not disclose, discuss, or transact business regarding the member’s account with anyone but the member, or the member's legally authorized representative (i.e. agent or guardian).  If a member wants another person to manage the member's account, the member may wish to appoint a trusted friend or family member by signing a Power of Attorney (either Durable or Non-Durable).  The Power of Attorney document can spell out exactly how much authority is given to the agent(s) (the person authorized to manage member's business affairs). 

If the member becomes unable to manage their own account and no agent has been appointed under a Power of Attorney, a court may appoint a guardian to manage the member's ATRS account.

Before a member decides whether to authorize another person to act on their behalf, the member should discuss this matter with an attorney and/or family.  ATRS cannot and does not provide legal or financial advice to anyone.

What if a member dies?

When an ATRS member dies, a close family member or friend should notify ATRS. Prompt notice allows ATRS to disburse valuable death and survivor benefits.  ATRS may be notified by contacted at (501) 682-1517.  ATRS requires the name, address, member's date of death, and telephone number of a family member, friend, or other person who can act as a contact for ATRS.