Get Arkansas Teacher Retirement

Retired Teacher Salary in Arkansas Annual SalaryMonthly PayTop Earners$62,739$5,22875th Percentile$45,385$3,782Average$37,278$3,10625th Percentile$25,362$2,113

The Arkansas Teacher Retirement System (ATRS) is a cost sharing, multiple-employer, combination contributory/non-contributory defined benefit pension plan.

New teachers starting out in Arkansas can retire with their full benefits when they reach 60 years of age and have accrued at least 5 years of service. Teachers with at least 28 years of service can retire with their benefits at any age.

A member with 5 years of credited service is eligible to apply for an Age and Service retirement annuity from ATRS by meeting one or more of the following requirements: 5-24 Years of service at age 60. 25 or more years of service at any age*

In Arkansas, you're eligible to retire based on your age and years of service: 28 or more years of service at any age. 25 to 27 years of service at any age (reduced benefits) Five to 24 years of service at age 60.

Upon reaching eligibility for retirement, a member receives a lifetime, monthly annuity from ATRS that is calculated based on their option selection.

At first glance, Arkansas' teacher retirement benefit does appear adequate. Overall contributions are sufficient—employees contribute 6% and employers contribute 6.44% toward retirement. Arkansas teachers do participate in Social Security. Replacement rates for full-career teachers are good.

Many retirees are concerned that receipt of Social Security benefits will reduce their ATRS benefit. The good news: this is not true. Although many state retirement systems do coordinate their benefits with Social Security, ATRS does not reduce its benefits once you become eligible for Social Security.