May 31st is the deadline to file an application to become a July 1st Retiree or a 2020 T-DROP participant.
ATRS remains closed to walk-in traffic until further notice. Many of the ATRS staff are working from home to serve you while doing their part to reduce the spread of COVID-19. We are committed to serve and appreciate the patience members have already shown during this unprecedented time.
ATRS staff is working normal hours Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Retirement counselors are available and can be reached at (501) 682-1517 or info@artrs.gov.
Thank you all for your support, and understand we are thinking of your health and safety as well as our staff.
The goal of the ATRS Board and ATRS staff is to help in every way possible to make our members’ journey into retirement and T-DROP a happy and pleasant experience! 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.
ATRS staff will be available on Memorial Day, May 25, 2020 to counsel members, help with applications, provide projections, and accept applications. For all your questions, contact our Call Center at (501) 682-1517. The May 31, 2020 deadline is only 30 days away!
ATRS Employers: Please forward this executive director update email to all employees.
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.
CARES Act
On March 27, 2020, the CARES Act was signed into law, authorizing economic relief to those impacted by COVID-19. Among the many features of the CARES Act were several provisions that allow impacted participants to have expanded access to their retirement plans. This expanded access does not apply to the Arkansas Teacher Retirement System. Although the CARES Act has been signed into law, the full effects of the law are still being determined and additional guidance may be issued by the federal government.
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 21,400 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 23,600 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