March 10, 2022 - Executive Director Update: ATRS Investments and Board Election

ATRS Investments

Global stock markets are experiencing significant volatility due to concerns over the circumstances in Europe. While markets have shown resiliency, it is possible that market volatility could continue.

The ATRS investment portfolio also experienced recent volatility with the global stock markets. However, it is important to note that the ATRS portfolio is well diversified across multiple asset classes and designed to weather stock market volatility.

As the latest crisis continues to unfold, ATRS is mindful of the volatility within the markets and is in communication with various market participants to evaluate developments. It is likely that until there is more clarity, there will be more volatile times ahead. However, the primary mission and focus of ATRS is to remain actuarially sound and pay member benefits by investing ATRS assets in a manner to earn the 7.25% actuarial assumed rate of return over a long-term horizon. ATRS is working with the ATRS custodial bank and ATRS investment consultants to closely monitor the evolving situation and the ATRS Board is ready to make any adjustments as needed.

We want to emphasize to all our members that your ATRS benefits are secure. ATRS is a long-term investor and the ATRS Board has structured a well-diversified investment portfolio with the ability to withstand market volatility. The ATRS Board remains committed to managing the System’s assets in a prudent and fiduciary manner that will ensure the viability of your pension. The ATRS Board makes decisions in terms of decades, not days, weeks, or months.

ATRS Board of Trustees Election

As a reminder, ATRS is conducting an election for the following two (2) positions on the ATRS Board of Trustees: Position No.1 (Certified Member Trustee – 1st Congressional District, Requires State Licensure); and Position No. 9 (Retiree Trustee). As a member of ATRS, this is your chance to elect a representative on the governing Board of Trustees. The elected trustees will take office on July 1, 2022 to fulfill a six (6) year term ending June 30, 2028.

Election ballots will be mailed to eligible voters on March 15, 2022. 

Deadline for ballots to be returned is April 15, 2022.

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 27,600 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 29,200 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

March 4, 2022 - Retirement Reminders and Resources

If you are retiring or entering T-DROP effective July 1, 2022, applications may now be submitted until May 31, 2022.

ATRS has provided several resources to assist you with any questions you may have regarding your retirement or T-DROP participation.

Pre-recorded video presentations are available on our website, https://www.artrs.gov/preretirement-workshops-and-counseling, that may answer many of your questions concerning retirement and T-DROP participation. Topics include Entering T-DROP,  Exiting T-DROP and Age and Service Retirement.

Our website is also a great resource for many topics including retirement, T-DROP participation and working after retirement. Most forms and applications are also available under Forms.

You may also register for an online account and once verified, your Member Portal will provide you with important information regarding your ATRS account.

Retirement counselors are available by phone at 501.682.1517, by email, info@artrs.gov and through our Web Chat feature located on our homepage.

If you would like to schedule an in-office visit or a virtual counselling session via Zoom, please contact us to schedule an appointment. 

  1. February 17, 2022 - Executive Director Update: ATRS Board of Trustees Election - Candidates
  2. Public Notice: Notice of Intended ATRS Board Action - Rules Amendment
  3. December 8, 2021 - Executive Director Update: ATRS Board of Trustees Election 2022
  4. Board of Trustees Election 2022
  5. October 18, 2021 - Chat Feature Now Available!
  6. September 23, 2021 - Member Annual Statements for 2020-2021
  7. August 23, 2021 - Executive Director Update: Act 290 of 2021 and Normal Retirement Age
  8. August 20, 2021 - Executive Director Update: New Appointed Trustee for Position #1
  9. July 1, 2021 - Executive Director Update: Vacancy on ATRS Board, Applications Welcome
  10. June 30, 2021 - Executive Director Update: Record Return for Fiscal Year
  11. June 28, 2021: Employer Information for 2021-22
  12. June 17, 2021: July 1 Retirees and T-DROP Participants
  13. May 27, 2021 - OPEN Memorial Day and May 31st Filing Deadline
  14. May 13, 2021 - Executive Director Update: May 31st Deadline Reminder
  15. April 30, 2021 - Executive Director Update: May 31st Deadline Reminder
  16. April 29, 2021 - Executive Director Update: Week Number Sixteen of the Legislative Session
  17. April 16, 2021 - Executive Director Update: ATRS Retirement Planner for 2021
  18. April 8, 2021 - Executive Director Update: Week Number Thirteen of the Legislative Session
  19. April 1, 2021 - Executive Director Update: Week Number Twelve of the Legislative Session
  20. March 26, 2021 - Executive Director Update: Week Number Eleven of the Legislative Session
  21. March 19, 2021 - Executive Director Update: Week Number Ten of the Legislative Session
  22. March 11, 2021 - Executive Director Update: Week Number Nine of the Legislative Session - JRC Meeting Room Change!
  23. March 4, 2021 - Executive Director Update: Week Number Eight of the Legislative Session
  24. February 25, 2021 - Executive Director Update: Week Number Seven of the Legislative Session
  25. February 18, 2021 - Executive Director Update: Week Number Six of the Legislative Session
  26. February 15, 2021 - UPDATED:JRC meeting for Wednesday, February 17th has been cancelled - Executive Director Update: Week Number Five of the Legislative Session
  27. February 4, 2021 - Executive Director Update: Week Number Four of the Legislative Session
  28. January 28, 2021 - Executive Director Update: Week Number Three of the Legislative Session
  29. January 21, 2021 - Executive Director Update: Week Number Two of the Legislative Session
  30. January 15, 2021 - Executive Director Update: Week Number One of the Legislative Session
  31. December 18, 2020 - Executive Director Update: Funding Status and Legislative Session
  32. Public Notice: Board of Trustees Election 2021
  33. November 10, 2020 - Executive Director Update: New Appointed Trustees for Positions #2 and #5
  34. November 2, 2020 - Executive Director Update: Investments and Your ATRS ID
  35. September 29, 2020 - Executive Director Update: Vacancies on ATRS Board, Applications Welcome
  36. September 22, 2020 - Retirement Workshops
  37. July 1, 2020 - Executive Director Update: Another Fiscal Year End
  38. June 23, 2020: 2020-21 Employer Information
  39. June 8, 2020: July 1 Retirees and T-DROP Participants
  40. May 11, 2020: Data Security Event Notification Letter
  41. May 1, 2020 - Executive Director Update: May 31st Deadline Reminder
  42. April 27, 2020: CARES Act
  43. April 7, 2020 - Executive Director Update: ATRS Retirement Planner for 2020
  44. March 25, 2020 - Executive Director Update: COVID-19, March Payroll on Schedule, and ATRS Investments
  45. March 24, 2020: COVID-19 and Cybersecurity
  46. March 23, 2020: COVID-19 UPDATE
  47. March 20, 2020: Camden and Blytheville Pre-Retirement Workshops Canceled
  48. March 19, 2020: Russellville pre-retirement workshop has been canceled
  49. March 18, 2020: COVID-19 UPDATE-ATRS Offices Closed to the Public
  50. March 16, 2020: Communicating with ATRS
  51. January 22, 2020: 1099Rs - Frequently Asked Questions
  52. December 20, 2020: December Insurance Premiums for Group Life with AD&D
  53. November 21, 2019 - Executive Director Update: Thanksgiving and Statewide Meeting Summary
  54. October 23, 2019 - Executive Director Update: Statewide Meetings on Arkansas Retirement Systems
  55. October 17, 2019 - Executive Director Update: Statewide Meetings on Arkansas Retirement Systems
  56. September 30, 2019 - Executive Director Update: Statewide Meetings on Arkansas Retirement Systems
  57. September 12, 2019 - Executive Director Update: Newly Appointed Trustee for Position #6 - Administrator (Superintendent)
  58. September 10, 2019 - Executive Director Update: Statewide Meetings on Arkansas Retirement Systems
  59. August 29, 2019 - Executive Director Update: Statewide Meetings on Arkansas Retirement Systems
  60. July 10, 2019 - Executive Director Update: Vacancy on ATRS Board - Applications Welcome
  61. May 1, 2019 - Executive Director Update: May 31st Deadline Reminder
  62. Public Notice: April 22, 2019 Proposed Rule Changes
  63. April 8, 2019 - Executive Director Update: ATRS Retirement Planner for 2019
  64. April 5, 2019 - Executive Director Update: Week Number Twelve of the Legislative Session
  65. March 29, 2019 - Executive Director Update: Week Number Eleven of the Legislative Session
  66. March 22, 2019 - Executive Director Update: Week Number Ten of the Legislative Session
  67. March 15, 2019 - Executive Director Update: Week Number Nine of the Legislative Session
  68. March 8, 2019 - Executive Director Update: Week Number Eight of the Legislative Session
  69. March 1, 2019 - Executive Director Update: Week Number Seven of the Legislative Session
  70. February 22, 2019 - Executive Director Update: Week Number Six of the Legislative Session
  71. February 15, 2019 - Executive Director Update: Week Number Five of the Legislative Session
  72. February 8, 2019 - Executive Director Update: Week Number Four of the Legislative Session
  73. January 31, 2019 - Executive Director Update: Week Number Three of the Legislative Session
  74. January 25, 2019 - Executive Director Update: Week Number Two of the Legislative Session
  75. January 17, 2019 - Executive Director Update: Week Number One of the Legislative Session
  76. Public Notice: 2019 Board of Trustees Election
  77. October 31, 2018 - Board Chairman Update: ATRS Board unanimously choose Mr. Clint Rhoden as ATRS Executive Director
  78. October 4, 2018 - Board Chairman Update: Smooth Transition Underway at ATRS
  79. October 1, 2018 - Executive Director Update: Executive Director Retiring after a Decade at ATRS
  80. June 6, 2018 - Executive Director Update: ATRS Board Helps Members/ Modifies the Phase-in for T-DROP Annuitization
  81. May 24, 2018 - Executive Director Update: ATRS will be Open Memorial Day
  82. April 6, 2018 - Executive Director Update: Retirement/T-DROP Planner 2018
  83. February 7, 2018 - Executive Director Update: Quality 2019 T-DROP Interest Rates, New Application Window for 2018, and a Market Update
  84. Public Notice: Board of Trustees Election 2018
  85. November 13, 2017 - Executive Director Update: ATRS Adopts New Actuarial Assumptions
  86. July 31, 2017 - Executive Director Update: Lifetime Teaching Licenses for All Eligible ATRS Retirees
  87. May 23, 2017 - Executive Director Update: ATRS School Hall Meetings Celebrating 80 Years
  88. May 8, 2017 - Executive Director Update: ATRS is Open Again on Memorial Day to Serve Members
  89. May 4, 2017 - Executive Director Update: T-DROP Interest Rate for 2017-2018
  90. April 26, 2017 - Executive Director Update: ATRS Retirement and T-DROP Planner 2017
  91. April 19, 2017 - Executive Director Update: Final Report on the Regular Session
  92. April 10, 2017 - ATRS Board Meeting has been rescheduled for April 17, 2017
  93. March 31, 2017 - Executive Director Update: Week 12 of the General Assembly
  94. March 24, 2017 - Executive Director Update: Week 11 of the General Assembly
  95. March 17, 2017 - Executive Director Update: Happy 80th Birthday ATRS and Week 10 of the General Assembly
  96. March 14, 2017 - Executive Director Update: The Strength of ATRS
  97. March 10, 2017 - Executive Director Update: ATRS Legislative Package and Week 9 of the General Assembly
  98. March 3, 2017 - Executive Director Update: ATRS Legislative Package and Week 8 of the General Assembly
  99. February 24, 2017 - Executive Director Update: ATRS Legislative Package and Week 7 of the General Assembly
  100. February 17, 2017 - Executive Director Update: ATRS Legislative Package and Week 6 of the General Assembly
  101. February 10, 2017 - Executive Director Update: ATRS Legislative Package and Week 5 of the General Assembly
  102. February 3, 2017 - Executive Director Update: ATRS Legislative Package and Week 4 of the General Assembly
  103. January 27, 2017 - Executive Director Update: ATRS Legislative Package and Week 3 of the General Assembly
  104. January 20, 2017 - Executive Director Update: ATRS Legislative Package and Week 2 of the General Assembly
  105. January 13, 2017 - Executive Director Update: ATRS Legislative Package and Week 1 of the General Assembly
  106. January 6, 2017 - Executive Director Update: Actuarial Status and ATRS Legislative Package
  107. October 4, 2016 - Executive Director Update: Member Annual Statements 2015-2016
  108. May 16, 2016 - Executive Director Update: ATRS Open Memorial Day & Deadlines
  109. April 26, 2016 - Board of Trustees Election Results
  110. April 5, 2016 - Executive Director Update: ATRS Retirement and T-DROP Planner 2016
  111. June 12, 2015 - Executive Director Update: The Wonderful Arkansas 529 College Savings Plan!

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