Reciprocal Service is credited service rendered under a Reciprocal System. Act 488 of 1965, as amended, provides reciprocal service credit between Arkansas state retirement systems. If a member leaves the employ of a state employer whose position is covered by any of the designated retirement systems and enters the employ of another state employer whose position is covered by any of the designated reciprocal retirement systems, he or she shall be entitled to a deferred annuity payable from the preceding system subject to certain conditions.
Benefits of Reciprocity
Reciprocity allows a member to utilize his or her actual Service Credit in two or more systems to meet eligibility requirements. Once reciprocity is established, ATRS recognizes reciprocal service for the purpose of Vesting, Early Retirement, Age and Service Retirement, and T-DROP Participation.
Participating State Retirement Systems
- Arkansas Teacher Retirement System
- Arkansas Public Employees Retirement System
- Arkansas State Highway Retirement System
- Arkansas State Police Retirement System
- Arkansas Judicial Retirement System
- Arkansas Local Police & Fire Retirement System (LOPFI)
- Alternate Retirement Plan for the following:
- Arkansas Department of Higher Education
- Arkansas Department of Workforce Education
- College
- University
- Vocational-Technical Schools
How to Establish Reciprocal Service Credit
One of the conditions for establishing reciprocal service is that the member does not withdraw their accumulated contributions from the preceding reciprocal system. If the accumulated contributions were withdrawn from the preceding reciprocal system, the amount withdrawn must be repaid, along with interest, to the preceding system. See A.C.A § 24-4-402.
To establish reciprocal service credit, the member must complete and submit to ATRS the Request to Establish Reciprocal Service Credit form.
Please contact ATRS at 501-682-1517 or info@artrs.gov for further information regarding Reciprocity, participating state retirement systems or, to request a Request to Establish Reciprocal Service Credit form.