August 23, 2021 - Executive Director Update: Act 290 of 2021 and Normal Retirement Age

An Arkansas Teacher Retirement System member must have 28 years of service or have attained the age of 60 in order to receive full retirement benefits. Act 290 of 2021 does not change those requirements. This law only affects a member’s separation requirements. In order for a member to start drawing retirement benefits the IRS requires a member to terminate their employment or attain the Normal Retirement Age. Until now, the Normal Retirement Age was defined as the age of 65.

The purpose of this law is to simplify the separation period requirements by eliminating the current one-month separation period. This law changes the definition of the Normal Retirement Age to be at least age 65 with 5 years of actual service OR at least age 60 with 38 or more total years of actual service, T-DROP service, and reciprocal service. A member that has attained the Normal Retirement Age is able to draw full retirement benefits and remain employed without separating from employment. This law will be effective from September 1, 2021.

Members that do not meet the Normal Retirement Age cannot return to employment in a position covered by the system within 6 months of their effective date of retirement or their retirement will be canceled. This includes substituting, part-time and/or full-time employment with any ATRS covered employer. The effective date of retirement will always be the first of the month. It is not the last day of employment.

To reiterate, this law does not change any of the retirement eligibility requirements, but only affects a member’s separation requirements.

If you have any questions regarding your termination / separation period, please feel free to contact our office for your specific account information and the exact date that you would be eligible to return to work.

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 25,700 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 27,100 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

August 20, 2021 - Executive Director Update: New Appointed Trustee for Position #1

Please join me in congratulating Ms. Amanda Webb, from the Nettleton School District, on being appointed to the ATRS Board of Trustees. Yesterday the ATRS Board held a special board meeting to appoint a trustee to fill the unexpired position that was recently vacated. Ms. Webb was unanimously appointed to serve in position #1 until June 30, 2022. Ms. Webb will bring her unique perspective and years of experience to the Board of Trustees. I look forward to working with her in the future.

Board of Trustees Elections

I would also like to remind everyone that ATRS will conduct elections to fill two positions on the Board of Trustees that expire June 30, 2022.

The elections for the following positions on the ATRS Board of Trustees is scheduled in March, 2022:

  • Position No. 1 (Certified Member Trustee - 1st Congressional District, Requires State Licensure),
  • Position No. 9 (Retiree Trustee)

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 25,700 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 27,400 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

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

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