ATRS General Omnibus (ATRS Supports)

Makes technical corrections to correct typos and errors in current law, remove references to repealed laws, remove redundant or outdated language and provisions, and make application timelines consistent.

The bill will not reduce any benefits for any ATRS member or beneficiary. The System's actuaries found that the bill would not impact ATRS costs.  

VA Presumption for Disability Retirement Benefits (ATRS Supports)

Allows ATRS to accept a 100% service-connected disability rating from the US Department of Veterans Affairs as creating a rebuttable presumption of qualification for disability retirement benefits. 

The bill will not reduce any benefits for any ATRS member or beneficiary. The System's actuaries found that any cost impact of the bill would be minimal. 

Eligibility of Surviving Spouse for Survivor Benefits (ATRS Supports)

Shortens the waiting period for when a new spouse can become eligible for survivor benefits from 2 years preceding the member's death to 1 year, which would mirror the waiting period for two of the other state retirement systems. 

The bill will not reduce any benefits for any ATRS member or beneficiary. The System's actuaries found that any cost impact of the bill would be minimal. 

Survivor Annuity Benefits for Dependent Children (ATRS Supports)

Allows a member's child to collect survivor benefits through age 22 even if the child does not remain a full-time student. Current law stops survivor benefits at age 18 for children who go into the military, go into an apprenticeship, or work instead of continuing school.

The bill also allows survivor benefits for eligible children of members on disability retirement. Current law limits survivor benefits to eligible children of active members, T-DROP participants, or retired members who have returned to work for an ATRS-covered employer.

The bill will not reduce any benefits for any ATRS member or beneficiary. The System's actuaries found that any cost impact of the bill would be minimal. 

Election of a Distribution Option under TDROP (ATRS Supports)

Allows a member to cancel a T-DROP distribution election before the end of the 2^nd full calendar month following retirement. Current law allows members to cancel an election to go into T-DROP but does not allow them to cancel or change their distribution election when leaving T-DROP. Sometimes members rethink their distribution decisions, and doing so can help them prevent unnecessary tax penalties. 

The bill will not reduce any benefits for any ATRS member or beneficiary. The System's actuaries found that any cost impact of the bill would be minimal. 

Permissive Service Credit for Gap Year Service (ATRS Supports)

Allows a member to purchase partial years of gap-year service credit. Current law does not allow for the purchase of less than a full year of gap year service credit. This change will allow, for example, a teacher who misses 1 or 2 quarters due to pregnancy to later purchase back that service credit.

The bill will not reduce any benefits for any ATRS member or beneficiary. The System's actuaries found that the bill would not impact ATRS costs. 

Election to Change Annuity Options (ATRS Supports)

Clarifies the effective date for a member's change to an annuity option, so that the change is effective the month after the member submits the required form and repays the cost difference. Current law has language calling the change retroactive, but that creates confusion and ambiguity because the benefit to the member is prospective, not retroactive. 

The bill will not reduce any benefits for any ATRS member or beneficiary. The System's actuaries found that the bill would not impact ATRS costs. 

SB66

ATRS appropriation for the 2025-2026 fiscal year. (ATRS Supports)