Blogs

Can a member receive Workers' Compensation and still apply for Long Term Disability (LTD)? 

Yes. A member may be eligible for LTD benefits while receiving Workers' Compensation. However, LTD benefits may be reduced due to the payments received from Workers' Compensation. 

In some cases, a member may work at a limited capacity or intermittently while on Workers' Compensation and still qualify for LTD benefits. 

Employer Responsibilities 

As we wrap up Fiscal Year 2026 and prepare to welcome Fiscal Year 2027, the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS) Contribution Accounting Team would like to share a few important reminders and best practices to help make year-end reporting smooth, accurate, and stress-free.

Fiscal Year Contribution Rate Changes

Please ensure your payroll systems are updated with the new FY2027 contribution rates:

Fiscal Year Retirement Rate LTD Rate

Retiring is a major milestone, but one of the first practical decisions you will face is how to handle your health insurance. As a member of the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS), the process is fairly straightforward once you understand the timing, your eligibility, and how your choices affect costs.

Beginning April 21, ASRS will transition to ID.me to enhance account security and help protect sensitive information. To help ensure a smooth transition, we encourage all employers to review their Employer Secure Account before that date.

Please make sure:

A Guide for ASRS Employers & Retiree Checklist 

As we approach retirement season, the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS) experiences a significant increase in retirement applications and benefit processing. During this critical time, employers play a direct and essential role in ensuring timely and accurate retirement processing.

ASRS relies on employer-reported information to finalize benefits and issue payments. Delays, missing data, or incomplete submissions can directly impact a member’s retirement timeline.

Broadspire will transition ASRS member information to the new My LeaveTech Connect portal, providing enhanced access to claim information and improve user experience.

This transition is scheduled for April 2026. Additional details, including access instructions, will be shared closer to the migration date.

What you need to do now:

To ensure a smooth transition, confirm your email address is current in your employer profile within the secure ASRS portal. 

What Employers Need to Know

As employers continue to modernize onboarding processes, the use of electronic signatures has become increasingly common and often encouraged. However, when it comes to the ASRS 65+ Membership Waiver, it is essential that digital signatures meet specific standards to ensure the form is valid and can be accepted without delay.

This article outlines acceptable electronic signature methods, employer responsibilities, and key compliance requirements to help prevent rejected forms and support a smooth onboarding experience.

Why Every ASRS Employer Needs More Than One Administrator—Especially Right Now

Administrators are the unsung heroes of your ASRS account. They work behind the scenes to keep things moving, grant access, update information, and make sure your organization can do business without a hitch.

But here’s the catch: when only one person holds the keys, things can get complicated… fast.

The “What If?” Scenario

What if your only administrator goes on extended leave?

If a member of the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS) has retired and is actively receiving a pension benefit, that individual is not eligible for Long-Term Disability (LTD) coverage upon returning to work in any capacity. Receipt of a retirement benefit constitutes a termination of active membership status for purposes of LTD eligibility.

To ensure smooth communication and timely processing, each employer is required to designate at least one LTD Associate and one LTD Signer. We also strongly recommend identifying a backup for the LTD Associate role, which helps prevent delays when your primary contact is unavailable. These roles are most commonly filled by members of your human resources or payroll teams, though employers may assign other knowledgeable staff as needed.