Arkansas Teacher Retirement System

Overview

The Arkansas Teacher Retirement System (ATRS) is a public pension fund established in 1937 to provide retirement benefits to public school and other public education employees in Arkansas. As a defined benefit plan, ATRS is administered under the provisions of IRS § 401(a), with benefit provisions outlined in Arkansas Code § 24-7-201 et. seq. and supplemented by ATRS Rules and Regulations. The system is governed by a Board of Trustees responsible for its general administration and proper operation. As of July 2024, ATRS comprises 142,198 members, including retirees, T-DROP participants, inactive vested members, and active members. The system covers 342 employers, including public and charter schools, state colleges and universities, state agencies, and other privatized employers. ATRS's mission is to provide retirement security for Arkansas's past, present, and future public education professionals, striving for excellence in managing the pension fund and delivering exemplary service to its members and stakeholders. The administration of plan benefits and operations are primarily governed by Arkansas law under the Arkansas Teacher Retirement System Act, ATRS Rules, and ATRS Board Policies.

Investment Focus

• Must be a public education employee in Arkansas