Here's What's New!

The 53^rd Legislature—Second Regular Session adjourned sine die at 12:26 a.m. on May 4, 2018.  The Legislature passed two bills that have a relatively minor impact on members and retirees.  Below is a brief summary.  You can also find more detailed information about these bills and other retirement-related on the ASRS Bill tracker.

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. 

The Arizona State Retirement System is marking its 65th Anniversary this year. It continues to be a privilege to provide a solid piece of retirement security to Arizona’s valued public servants.

It’s easy to overlook- You set up your secure ASRS account when you first become a member, you enter all your contact information, and then it’s all on autopilot until you retire, right??

One of the most comforting features of an ASRS pension is knowing it’s a life-long benefit. Having a steady income stream, regardless of the current (or future) economic climate or ups and downs of the markets can provide peace-of-mind for retirees.

Obviously this is a complex question. The short answer is that your financial situation is unique to you, and you should proceed however is best for your situation. But how do you know “what’s best for me?” Let’s look at some basic information that may help point you in the right direction.

Please note; if you send payment to the ASRS via our PO Box, the address has changed. The address is now; PO Box 33910, Phoenix AZ 85067

While mail to the previous PO Box will be forwarded for a short time, please make note of the new address to ensure a smooth transition going forward.

Thank you!  

As the ASRS releases new website functionality for employers regarding Contributions Not Withheld (CNW), you will see a minor change to the employer invoice for CNW beginning August 29, 2018.  The electronic invoice will include the initial Late Fee, which is due to the contribution payment being received more than 14 days after the member’s pay period end date.  This enhancement of the secure website enables the ASRS to implement a paperless CNW process in accordance with A.R.S. § 38-738 (B).

The ASRS employs a number of safeguards to ensure final pension payments made to members are fair and accurate.  One of the final steps in the process is a review of the contributions reported to the ASRS in the member's last ten years to ensure the correct figures were used in calculating the final benefit payment.