May 1, 2020 - Executive Director Update: May 31st Deadline Reminder

May 31st is the deadline to file an application to become a July 1st Retiree or a 2020 T-DROP participant.

ATRS remains closed to walk-in traffic until further notice. Many of the ATRS staff are working from home to serve you while doing their part to reduce the spread of COVID-19. We are committed to serve and appreciate the patience members have already shown during this unprecedented time.

ATRS staff is working normal hours Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Retirement counselors are available and can be reached at (501) 682-1517 or info@artrs.gov.

Thank you all for your support, and understand we are thinking of your health and safety as well as our staff.

The goal of the ATRS Board and ATRS staff is to help in every way possible to make our members’ journey into retirement and T-DROP a happy and pleasant experience! We are here for one reason, to serve you. If this is the year that you plan to retire or enter T-DROP, please know that we look forward to helping you. If you are uncertain if this is the year for retirement or T-DROP, then the ATRS staff also welcomes you to get counseling and estimates to see on a comparative basis how staying a little longer may help build your retirement income.

ATRS staff will be available on Memorial Day, May 25, 2020 to counsel members, help with applications, provide projections, and accept applications. For all your questions, contact our Call Center at (501) 682-1517. The May 31, 2020 deadline is only 30 days away!

ATRS Employers: Please forward this executive director update email to all employees.

If you are considering retiring or entering T-DROP, then ATRS is here to help you with the process and make it as easy as possible. Starting early can help get you through the process more smoothly and with less stress. ATRS thanks you for your dedicated service to the schools and children of Arkansas. ATRS is now ready to help you on your retirement or T-DROP path, just as you have helped the children of Arkansas on their educational path during your career in public education.

You can find additional information in the Retirement and T-DROP frequently asked questions located on the ATRS Frequently Asked Questions web page.

CARES Act
On March 27, 2020, the CARES Act was signed into law, authorizing economic relief to those impacted by COVID-19. Among the many features of the CARES Act were several provisions that allow impacted participants to have expanded access to their retirement plans. This expanded access does not apply to the Arkansas Teacher Retirement System. Although the CARES Act has been signed into law, the full effects of the law are still being determined and additional guidance may be issued by the federal government.

Stay in Touch with ATRS and View YOUR Account Information

The ATRS website allows members to have direct access to specific member account information. Now, approximately 21,400 members have direct account access to individualized account information. Here is the link to the instructions to sign up: www.artrs.gov/registration.

You can also sign up to obtain these executive director updates through your private email address. Updates are made throughout the year such as at retirement season and other times when information needs to be shared. Now, over 23,600 people have signed up to receive this executive director update by direct email delivery. It is always a great pleasure for ATRS staff to learn of more ways to provide information to ATRS members, employers, beneficiaries, government officials, and the public. The ATRS Board is committed to providing a system that is member friendly and transparent. Remember that ATRS is here to serve you.

Best regards,

Clint Rhoden
Executive Director ATRS
Office: (501) 588-4367
Mobile: (501) 291-1623
clintr@artrs.gov

April 27, 2020: CARES Act

On March 27, 2020, the CARES Act was signed into law, authorizing economic relief to those impacted by COVID-19. Among the many features of the CARES Act were several provisions that allow impacted participants to have expanded access to their retirement plans. This expanded access does not apply to the Arkansas Teacher Retirement System.  Although the CARES Act has been signed into law, the full effects of the law are still being determined and additional guidance may be issued by the federal government.

  1. April 7, 2020 - Executive Director Update: ATRS Retirement Planner for 2020
  2. March 25, 2020 - Executive Director Update: COVID-19, March Payroll on Schedule, and ATRS Investments
  3. March 24, 2020: COVID-19 and Cybersecurity
  4. March 23, 2020: COVID-19 UPDATE
  5. March 20, 2020: Camden and Blytheville Pre-Retirement Workshops Canceled
  6. March 19, 2020: Russellville pre-retirement workshop has been canceled
  7. March 18, 2020: COVID-19 UPDATE-ATRS Offices Closed to the Public
  8. March 16, 2020: Communicating with ATRS
  9. January 22, 2020: 1099Rs - Frequently Asked Questions
  10. December 20, 2020: December Insurance Premiums for Group Life with AD&D
  11. November 21, 2019 - Executive Director Update: Thanksgiving and Statewide Meeting Summary
  12. October 23, 2019 - Executive Director Update: Statewide Meetings on Arkansas Retirement Systems
  13. October 17, 2019 - Executive Director Update: Statewide Meetings on Arkansas Retirement Systems
  14. September 30, 2019 - Executive Director Update: Statewide Meetings on Arkansas Retirement Systems
  15. September 12, 2019 - Executive Director Update: Newly Appointed Trustee for Position #6 - Administrator (Superintendent)
  16. September 10, 2019 - Executive Director Update: Statewide Meetings on Arkansas Retirement Systems
  17. August 29, 2019 - Executive Director Update: Statewide Meetings on Arkansas Retirement Systems
  18. July 10, 2019 - Executive Director Update: Vacancy on ATRS Board - Applications Welcome
  19. May 1, 2019 - Executive Director Update: May 31st Deadline Reminder
  20. Public Notice: April 22, 2019 Proposed Rule Changes
  21. April 8, 2019 - Executive Director Update: ATRS Retirement Planner for 2019
  22. April 5, 2019 - Executive Director Update: Week Number Twelve of the Legislative Session
  23. March 29, 2019 - Executive Director Update: Week Number Eleven of the Legislative Session
  24. March 22, 2019 - Executive Director Update: Week Number Ten of the Legislative Session
  25. March 15, 2019 - Executive Director Update: Week Number Nine of the Legislative Session
  26. March 8, 2019 - Executive Director Update: Week Number Eight of the Legislative Session
  27. March 1, 2019 - Executive Director Update: Week Number Seven of the Legislative Session
  28. February 22, 2019 - Executive Director Update: Week Number Six of the Legislative Session
  29. February 15, 2019 - Executive Director Update: Week Number Five of the Legislative Session
  30. February 8, 2019 - Executive Director Update: Week Number Four of the Legislative Session
  31. January 31, 2019 - Executive Director Update: Week Number Three of the Legislative Session
  32. January 25, 2019 - Executive Director Update: Week Number Two of the Legislative Session
  33. January 17, 2019 - Executive Director Update: Week Number One of the Legislative Session
  34. Public Notice: 2019 Board of Trustees Election
  35. October 31, 2018 - Board Chairman Update: ATRS Board unanimously choose Mr. Clint Rhoden as ATRS Executive Director
  36. October 4, 2018 - Board Chairman Update: Smooth Transition Underway at ATRS
  37. October 1, 2018 - Executive Director Update: Executive Director Retiring after a Decade at ATRS
  38. June 6, 2018 - Executive Director Update: ATRS Board Helps Members/ Modifies the Phase-in for T-DROP Annuitization
  39. May 24, 2018 - Executive Director Update: ATRS will be Open Memorial Day
  40. April 6, 2018 - Executive Director Update: Retirement/T-DROP Planner 2018
  41. February 7, 2018 - Executive Director Update: Quality 2019 T-DROP Interest Rates, New Application Window for 2018, and a Market Update
  42. Public Notice: Board of Trustees Election 2018
  43. November 13, 2017 - Executive Director Update: ATRS Adopts New Actuarial Assumptions
  44. July 31, 2017 - Executive Director Update: Lifetime Teaching Licenses for All Eligible ATRS Retirees
  45. May 23, 2017 - Executive Director Update: ATRS School Hall Meetings Celebrating 80 Years
  46. May 8, 2017 - Executive Director Update: ATRS is Open Again on Memorial Day to Serve Members
  47. May 4, 2017 - Executive Director Update: T-DROP Interest Rate for 2017-2018
  48. April 26, 2017 - Executive Director Update: ATRS Retirement and T-DROP Planner 2017
  49. April 19, 2017 - Executive Director Update: Final Report on the Regular Session
  50. April 10, 2017 - ATRS Board Meeting has been rescheduled for April 17, 2017
  51. March 31, 2017 - Executive Director Update: Week 12 of the General Assembly
  52. March 24, 2017 - Executive Director Update: Week 11 of the General Assembly
  53. March 17, 2017 - Executive Director Update: Happy 80th Birthday ATRS and Week 10 of the General Assembly
  54. March 14, 2017 - Executive Director Update: The Strength of ATRS
  55. March 10, 2017 - Executive Director Update: ATRS Legislative Package and Week 9 of the General Assembly
  56. March 3, 2017 - Executive Director Update: ATRS Legislative Package and Week 8 of the General Assembly
  57. February 24, 2017 - Executive Director Update: ATRS Legislative Package and Week 7 of the General Assembly
  58. February 17, 2017 - Executive Director Update: ATRS Legislative Package and Week 6 of the General Assembly
  59. February 10, 2017 - Executive Director Update: ATRS Legislative Package and Week 5 of the General Assembly
  60. February 3, 2017 - Executive Director Update: ATRS Legislative Package and Week 4 of the General Assembly
  61. January 27, 2017 - Executive Director Update: ATRS Legislative Package and Week 3 of the General Assembly
  62. January 20, 2017 - Executive Director Update: ATRS Legislative Package and Week 2 of the General Assembly
  63. January 13, 2017 - Executive Director Update: ATRS Legislative Package and Week 1 of the General Assembly
  64. January 6, 2017 - Executive Director Update: Actuarial Status and ATRS Legislative Package
  65. October 4, 2016 - Executive Director Update: Member Annual Statements 2015-2016
  66. May 16, 2016 - Executive Director Update: ATRS Open Memorial Day & Deadlines
  67. April 26, 2016 - Board of Trustees Election Results
  68. April 5, 2016 - Executive Director Update: ATRS Retirement and T-DROP Planner 2016
  69. June 12, 2015 - Executive Director Update: The Wonderful Arkansas 529 College Savings Plan!

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