I find that this time of year provides an opportunity for reflection, and to ponder what may lay ahead. It seems particularly fitting this year as it was so filled with unique and often very difficult challenges for all – personally and professionally.
And so I wanted to take a moment to offer my sincerest wishes to each of you for a safe, joyful and healthy holiday season and New Year.
It is with extreme pride that I look back on the unique challenges our staff faced and overcame in having to quickly adapt to the pandemic while ensuring all our core services were delivered to members uninterrupted. I have reported in previous communications that from the onset, the ASRS consistently delivered in all key areas: benefit payments were made on time every time; applications and other administrative services were processed uninterrupted; service levels for answering calls and emails were at or above pre-pandemic levels, virtual meetings with our members were enabled, new educational opportunities for our members were created and presented in safe online and virtual platforms, and our investment program continued uninterrupted while offering ample liquidity.
In addition, our valued members – retired, active, and inactive – worked with us for the good of our community and State – some helping us to review all of our health insurance and dental programs – and others to offer perspective on how to best disseminate important information.
I’m sure we can all look back on 2020 with new perspective as we anticipate the coming new year.
Our staff and I look forward to a time when we can invite you back into our offices for meetings, to answer your questions in person, to come and present at meetings with our employer partners and retirement associations, and to interact as we all could before our world changed.
In the meantime, please be assured that we are here, working to meet our obligations to all our members and employer partners. Your benefits continue to be well managed, safely and securely.
With best wishes from all of us at the Arizona State Retirement System for a safe and happy holiday season to you - our members and your families,
Paul Matson
ASRS Executive Director
Keywords: Director's Message, Paul Matson, Holiday, New Year, ASRS, Members, Staff
