Download the 2026 Direct Deposit schedule today!

 For more information, you may contact us at (501) 682-1517 or info@artrs.gov.

The Cash Balance Account (CBA) is designed for members of the Arkansas Teacher Retirement System (ATRS) who are retiring out of T-DROP and want all or part of their T-DROP account balance in an account with highly competitive interest rates with no risk to principal.

The CBA pays very competitive monthly compounded interest rates beginning the month after the account is established. Interest rates on CBA accounts start at 2.5% and grow to 4% over time and are not subject to reduction. In addition, during years of strong returns the ATRS Board of Trustees may grant additional incentive rates to CBA participants.

The ATRS Board of Trustees may adopt, by Resolution, an interest rate increase based upon current interest rates and financial market conditions. Once a member rolls all or a portion of their T-DROP balance into the CBA, the interest rates in effect at that time can never be lowered but may be increased.

Currently, your CBA will receive interest according to the following participation schedule:

• For the first year:      2.50% 
• For the second year:  2.75%
• For the third year:     3.00% 
• For the fourth year:   3.25%
• For the fifth year:      3.50%
• For the sixth year:     4.00%

PLEASE NOTE: Any withdrawals throughout the fiscal year will impact your accrued interest.

CBA Withdrawals 

CBA participants may request a one-time or recurring monthly distribution from the CBA at any time. A combined total of six (6) distributions may be requested per fiscal quarter. CBA funds are immediately available for withdrawal upon the account funding. The member's CBA principal and interest are tax-deferred until the member makes a withdrawal.

Please see Cash Balance Account Distribution Request Forms to make a withdrawal.

For more information, see: CBA FAQs

Contact ATRS at (501) 682-1517 or info@artrs.gov
for further information regarding Cash Balance Accounts (CBA).

A new retiree has one (1) year after his or her effective retirement date to make changes in his or her annuity election. However, from a member's effective date, a member may only change the Option election once during the first year of retirement. If the election change reduces the member's payable monthly benefit, the member must promptly reimburse ATRS any overpayment with interest.

If a retiree is newly married at the time of retirement or marries after retirement, the member may elect to cover the spouse after being married one (1) full year. Upon meeting the one (1) year marriage requirement, the member has six (6) months to file an election to cover the spouse under Option A or Option B. (See Review of Annuity Options)

Important After retirement and upon the death of a beneficiary or the divorce or marriage dissolution from a spouse designated as a beneficiary, a retiree may cancel any optional plan elected at retirement and return (pop-up) to the straight life annuity.

For more information specific to your situation, please contact an ATRS Counselor at (501) 682-1517 or info@artrs.gov.

Simple Cost-Of-Living Adjustments (COLAs) are payable on July 1 for retirees who have been on the ATRS payroll for twelve months or longer.

Simple COLAs are calculated on the retirees' base amount, which is the original amount the retiree received when he or she retired, plus any ad hoc raises received as a result of legislation. The base amount does not include cost-of-living raises.