ATRS Retirement Checklist

12 MONTHS PRIOR TO RETIREMENT

• Get a Benefit Estimate to get a general idea of your retirement annuity.
• Review your Annuity Options (Straight Life, Option A, B, or C).
• Prepare to complete any established purchase accounts.
• Inquire about the possibility of purchasing additional service credit.
• Contact your insurance (medical and life) provider to verify your post-retirement eligibility and rates.
• Understand your tax status after retirement.
• Review and understand ATRS' Termination Separation Policy.
• Make certain any reciprocity service credit is established.
• If you have reciprocal service credit with another system, contact that system regarding their retirement requirements, deadlines, etc.
• Contact ATRS at (501) 682-1517 or info@artrs.gov with any questions.

ATRS will accept your retirement application no earlier than four (4) months prior to your effective date of benefits and no later than one (1) month prior to your effective date of benefits. REMEMBER, your effective date is not the date you stopped working – it is always the 1st day of the month in which you are to receive your first annuity payment. Please see chart below. If you change your mind, you simply need to submit a request in writing to ATRS to withdraw your retirement application any time prior to the effective date and your application will be withdrawn!

6-9 MONTHS PRIOR TO RETIREMENT

• Prepare a post-retirement budget to determine if your standard of living can be maintained, considering emergency expenses, insurance rates, financial obligations, future large purchases (car, appliances, home renovations, etc.).
• If part of your post-retirement budget includes returning to work after retirement, please make certain to review ATRS' Termination Separation Period Policy regarding employment with an ATRS covered employer.
• Contact ATRS to request a current estimate of your benefits based on current laws, rules, and information specific to your account (selected annuity option, purchased service, etc.).
• Request an Application for Retirement Annuity from ATRS. Contact ATRS at (501) 682-1517 or info@artrs.gov or download the application packet from our website.
• Visit with an ATRS Counselor for information specific to your account, in person, or by phone. Walk-ins are welcome. 

3 MONTHS PRIOR TO RETIREMENT

• If you haven't already, request an Application for Retirement Annuity packet from ATRS at (501) 682-1517 or info@artrs.gov.

• Begin completion of all required documents:

Retirement Application (notary required)

Annuity Option Selection

Proof of Marriage (if optional beneficiary is your spouse)

Certificate of Service and Final Salary for Retirement (Employer must complete)

Birth Certificate – member's & beneficiary(s)

Social Security – member's & beneficiary(s)

Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) if applicable

Termination Separation Acknowledgment

Direct Deposit

Tax Election Form

Beneficiary Forms (Lump Sum Death Benefit & Disposition of Residue)

PLEASE NOTE: ATRS must receive your submitted application one calendar month prior to the effective retirement date. For example, a July 1 retiree's application must be submitted to ATRS on or before May 31 so, please allow ample time to complete and gather all required documents.

The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) recently implemented a significant postmarking rule change effective December 24, 2025.  This rule change clarified that postmarks will now reflect the date on which mail is first processed at a regional facility, NOT when it is dropped off at a local office.  This change means mail could be postmarked days after it was dropped off at your local office, creating the potential for missed deadlines.  To ensure a specific date is noted on your retirement application or Teacher Deferred Retirement Option Plan (T-DROP) application, or any other document that is required to be submitted to ATRS by a specific deadline, members can request a free manual postmark at a USPS retail counter or get proof via Certified Mail or a Certificate of Mailing.

Ways to get a guaranteed postmark to ensure your application or paperwork meets mailing deadlines:

Manual Postmark: Take your mail to a local USPS retail counter and ask for a free manual (hand-stamped) postmark on the current date.

Certificate of Mailing: A paid service ($2.40) providing official proof the USPS accepted the item on a specific date.

Certified Mail: Offers proof of mailing and delivery confirmation for a fee.

1 MONTH PRIOR TO RETIREMENT

• You should have already submitted your Retirement Application by now!
• Complete any outstanding paperwork and submit ASAP.
• Review the ATRS Termination Separation Policy.
• Unless you are age 65 prior to your retirement effective date, you must terminate employment with an ATRS covered employer prior to your retirement date and, in most cases, that retirement date is July 1. NOTE: Your retirement effective date is not the date you stop working. It is always the 1st day of the month.

YOU ARE RETIRED

• If you are considering returning to employment with an ATRS covered employer after retirement, make certain you comply with the ATRS Termination Separation Policy. You are strongly encouraged to contact ATRS at (501) 682-1517 or info@artrs.gov to make certain you are not violating the ATRS Termination Separation Policy.
• If you have changes in your personal status (address, bank, tax status, change in beneficiary due to death or divorce) please contact ATRS to request the appropriate forms to update your records or visit our Forms Page to download any forms you might need. 

See Retirement FAQs for more information.