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As an ASRS member, there sure is a lot for you to know about your benefits and account. The ASRS Member Education team has created a “Road to Retirement” series to help you through each milestone of planning your future as you navigate your career. The series provides you all you need to know in a fun, straightforward manner! There are four distinct “Routes” for you to follow on your journey, ensuring you have the information you need when you need it. 

How familiar are you with your myASRS account? Your myASRS account is the fastest, easiest, most secure way to update your personal information, connect with ASRS staff with questions, plus a host of other functions specific to you and your account. Within your myASRS, you can:

Are you an employer who has vacancies to fill?

While the answer could be to hire retired ASRS members, do not forget that an Alternate Contribution Rate (ACR) is required should you choose to do so.

All ASRS employers are required to pay an ACR for all retired ASRS members who return to work in any capacity, are not actively contributing, and in any position that is similar in duties and responsibilities to that of a position ordinarily filled by an employee.

When an ASRS retiree returns to work for an ASRS employer and meets active membership criteria, then active contributions must begin and the member’s pension is suspended. The member will not receive a pension benefit until they either terminate employment or reduce their hours and re-retires. However, there is an exception to this rule. Under very specific conditions, an ASRS retiree can qualify to remain retired while working for an ASRS employer. It is the responsibility of both the retiree and employer to ensure compliance.

If retirement is on the horizon, you may have questions about the process and how to start receiving your lifetime pension. To help answer those questions, the ASRS offers our educational webinar,  “Route 4: Next Exit Retirement.” This meeting is for members retiring within six months and is designed to help clarify your retirement choices. 

This can be a complex question. If someone you care for – a parent, grandparent, spouse, etc. – has an account with the ASRS, but needs assistance accessing or managing that account, there are avenues you can take to help. 

“Can I borrow against my ASRS account?” is a common question. Unfortunately, the answer is no. The ASRS does not permit for members to take a loan from their account.  This may not be the case for Defined Contribution plans, such as a 401(k) or 457(b), which typically allow account holders to borrow against the balances in some fashion. 

Dealing with grief when a loved one dies is hard enough, but often you find yourself in a situation where you have to deal with financial and investment matters as well. The uncertainty about what to do next can be overwhelming. The following suggestions may help guide you through the process.

Did you know that your retirement pension is totally portable? The Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS) has over 700 employers representing all levels of education, counties and State service.