April 20, 2022 - Executive Director Update: Newly Elected Trustees for Positions #1 and #9

Please join me in congratulating Ms. Susan Ford and Mr. Jeff Stubblefield on being elected to the ATRS Board of Trustees. Earlier today the results of the 2022 ATRS Board of Trustees election were certified by the election vendor. Ms. Ford was elected to serve for Position #1 - Member Trustee. Mr. Stubblefield was elected to serve for Position #9 - Retiree Trustee. The term for these two positions begins on July 1, 2022 and ends on June 30, 2028. Ms. Ford and Mr. Stubblefield will bring their unique perspective and years of experience to the Board of Trustees. I look forward to working with them in the future.

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 26,900 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 during retirement season and other times when information needs to be shared. Now, over 29,800 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 14, 2022 - Executive Director Update: ATRS Retirement Planner for 2022

Planning for Retirement

Retirement season has arrived for ATRS and its members. This is a special time of the year for ATRS. For some, this is the season to retire and for others to move from being an active member to T-DROP participant. It is an honor and great privilege to help members cross the finish line into retirement and T-DROP. We understand the retirement applicants' tears of joy and sometimes the tears of sadness that may flow together as retirement moves from a dream into a reality. Always remember that every ATRS retiree always receives a lifetime monthly retirement benefit!

The goal of the ATRS Board and ATRS staff is to help in every way possible to make this special journey into retirement and T-DROP a happy and pleasant experience for you! 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. One suggestion in the attachments is for you to pause and reflect if you are considering retiring but remain uncertain. ATRS staff will be available on Memorial Day (May 30, 2022) to counsel members, help with applications, provide projections, and accept applications. For all your questions, contact our Call Center at 501-682-1517.

I have attached a 2022 Retirement Planner that provides important information about retirement. Also attached is a copy of the notice that ATRS sends to ATRS employers about retirement.

May 31st is the deadline to file an application to become a July 1st retiree or a 2022 T-DROP participant.

ATRS Employers: Please forward this executive director update email to all employees. ATRS wants to get this planner to as many ATRS members as possible.

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.

List of Attachments:

1. Employer Memo
2. Retirement Planner

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 26,900 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 during retirement season and other times when information needs to be shared. Now, over 29,600 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