Here's What's New!

New Review Process to Help Employer Partners

You may have recently received a secure message about Membership Eligibility Inconsistencies from Employer Relations. This message and the accompanying report are part of a new, ongoing function of the Employer Relations team that should be a great benefit for our employers.

Service Purchase Role Assignments

Nearly six months ago, the ASRS moved processes online for Contributions Not Withheld (CNW), Military Call-Up, Leave of Absence and other service purchase programs. But some employers have yet to assign necessary roles for these new processes. That can lead to problems for your members, so please take a moment now to assign those roles. It’s simple—here’s how!

New ASRS Contribution Calculator

The Arizona State Retirement System now has a new tool on our website to help you identify the pay types that are considered compensation for retirement, as well as confirm the amounts being withheld from employees' pay. You are able to use this tool without having to contact the ASRS to receive the correct contribution amount. It’s quick and it’s easy.

"ASRS Basics for Employers" Meetings: Let Us Come To You!

Our ASRS Basics For Employers meetings are extremely popular – in fact, February and March meeting are currently all full. But, that doesn’t necessarily mean you have to wait to get the information you need. Let us come to you!

New Membership Rules in Effect

While the legislative session is typically limited to the first half of the year, rulemaking is a year-round activity. The ASRS recently adopted rules related to employee and employer membership in the ASRS. The rules became effective February 4, 2019.

What Happens if You’re Unable to Work Due to an Illness or Injury?

If you’re actively contributing to the ASRS, you may not realize your membership includes Long Term Disability (LTD). It’s often overlooked by most active members, since less than 2% of them ever need it. As a result, there are also misconceptions about how the program works.

Retiree Tax Reminders

As a reminder, the new federal tax tables and 2019 retiree insurance premiums will be applied to pension checks in February and may affect your net benefit payments.

My Parent Has an ASRS Account and Needs Help. Now What?

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.

Need-to-Know Information If You're Retiring This Summer

While the ASRS has a diverse group of members, a very large number of those members are school teachers or faculty. That means, among other things, a large number of people retiring at the same time each year; around May and June. We casually refer to it as Retirement Season here within ASRS offices. With approximately 200K-plus active ASRS members, that can mean a fair number of people wanting to retire at roughly the same time. So, what’s the best way to prepare yourself?

Does All My Pay Count Towards My Pension?

Most of us don’t even think about the contributions that come out of our paycheck that go towards building a guaranteed lifetime pension from the ASRS. When we do, it’s usually not until we’re getting very close to that long sought-after retirement date.