ATRS Legislative Update: Week 4 (Feb. 3-7)

Last week after our update email was written, four bills affecting ATRS and its members were filed. The good news is that three of them do not appear to threaten our independence or benefits. The fourth bill, if amended, should not cause us harm. The bills that we are tracking include:

• HB1317 - Increases the criminal penalties for making a "material false statement or representation" to ATRS or any other state retirement system for the purpose of obtaining or modifying a benefit. One of the other state retirement systems has asked for this change, and we do not see it causing any harm to our members or benefits. ATRS is currently neutral on this bill.
• HB1365 - Repeals requirements that certain state boards and commissions have minority board members, including the ATRS Board of Trustees. Under current law, ATRS Board Position #8 is reserved for minority ATRS members. If this bill passes, any active or retired ATRS member would be eligible to run for position #8 when it comes open in 2027. This bill would not affect the term of our current Board member in position #8, Anita Bell. Because the position would still be elected and the ATRS Board would remain independent, ATRS is currently neutral on this bill. 
• SB151 - Forfeits the retirement benefits of any elected public official who is convicted of a crime that would make them ineligible to hold office. The bill would apply only to members who join ATRS after the bill's effective date. ATRS is currently neutral on this bill.

The fourth bill is HB1352 which would restrict our ability to invest in China. For the last year or two, our investment managers have been hesitant to invest in China because of increased risk. China's business environment is not the same as it was 5-10 years ago, and the political and legal instability there makes it much harder to do business. Our investment managers do not think that a restriction on future investments would have any harm on our investment returns.

What is a concern, though, is the requirement in Section 3 of HB1352 that we divest some of our existing investments. If implemented in the wrong way, a divestment could cause us investment losses. I have been talking with the sponsors, and I am cautiously optimistic that the bill will be amended to address our concerns. For that reason, ATRS is neutral for the time being. If that changes and amendments are not made, I will alert you at once.

On Thursday, the Joint Budget Committee unanimously approved SB66 which is the appropriation act for ATRS. It should be heard on the Senate floor next week. On Tuesday the 11th, the Joint Public Retirement Committee will have its next meeting. At this point, I am not expecting that any ATRS bills will be considered that day.

If you have questions about how a bill may impact ATRS, or if you are concerned about something ATRS is proposing, please reach out to me at the email address or phone number below.

Also, if you are receiving this email as a forward and would like to be added to the distribution list, you can subscribe to these legislative updates here.

Mark White
ATRS Executive Director
MarkW@artrs.gov
Office: (501) 621-8853
Cell: (501) 541-2057

1099R Tax Forms - Now Available in Member Portal and Frequently Asked Questions

The 1099R tax forms are now available in your Member Portal and are in the process of being mailed.

Click here for additional tax explanations.

To access your 1099 in the Member Portal, please follow the steps below:

1. Log in to your existing account or register at https://www.artrs.gov/registration

2. After logging in, click on the Member Portal icon

3. Click the Tax Forms icon

4. Click the View 1099 icon

Below are some frequently asked questions regarding your 1099R tax forms.  If you have additional questions, please feel free to contact us.

Who receives a Form 1099?

Any payee who receives taxable income from our system will receive a 1099.  This includes all monthly benefit recipients, members who have received a refund of contributions, or a Cash and Savings Help Program lump sum payment.  Members who have received a distribution from their T-DROP accounts including distributions from their Cash Balance Account (CBA) will also receive a 1099.

When are 1099s mailed?

The 1099s are mailed near the end of January.

What is the amount in Box 5?

If you have an amount in Box 5, this is the non-taxable portion of your retirement income.  Prior to 1997, member contributions were taken out of an active member’s check after tax.  Therefore, the taxes have already been paid on a certain amount of your contribution.  Upon retirement, ATRS used the IRS Simplified Method to determine the amount that should be excluded annually for tax purposes. This is the difference between Box 1 (Gross Amount) and Box 2 (Taxable Amount). This is does not include insurance premiums.

Why have I not received my 1099?

If you have not received your 1099, it is most likely a result of an incorrect address.  If you need to update your address, you may now update your address in your Member Portal or you may contact our office and request a Change of Address Form.  Once we receive the Change of Address Form and your address is updated, we can re-send your 1099.

Can I receive a duplicate 1099?

Yes.  You may contact our office after FEBRUARY 16, 2026 to request a duplicate 1099.

If you are receiving a monthly retirement benefit, you may print a copy of your 1099R from your Member Portal.  To view the 1099 in your Member Portal, you will first need to register at www.artrs.gov/registration.

Where do I find the amount paid for health insurance?

If ATRS deducts your health insurance premiums from your monthly benefit, the year to date amount paid for health insurance will be listed on your December Direct Deposit Detail you received in the mail near the end of December.  This information is not provided on the 1099.