A look at "Route 4: Next Exit Retirement" - the final session of our four-part educational series, geared towards members thinking of retiring within 6 months. 

One of the most common questions we get from retirees relates to whether they will receive regular increases to their pension. Many are surprised to learn that the ASRS was not designed to provide for yearly post-retirement benefit increases. 

It’s never too early to begin planning for your retirement, and our Route 1 and 2 are eLearnings available anytime on our website. Route 3: Destination in Sight marks the first educational opportunity offered as a live-streaming, interactive webinar led by ASRS Retirement Specialists, where you can ask questions and get real-time answers. Route 3 is designed for members within three years of retirement. 

Here's an overview of the information covered in Route 3: 

A look at Survivor Benefits: What they are, how they function, and how you can prepare should the unfortunate happen. 

A look at the second eLearning in our educational series for current, active ASRS members: what it covers, who it's for, and when you should take it.

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. 

For many, a new year often brings new goals and resolutions. Is one of your resolutions for 2021 to start saving money? While one of the most comforting features of a future ASRS pension is knowing you’ll have a steady, guaranteed income stream, your ASRS retirement benefit, by design, is not intended to replace your entire working income. Instead, it is designed to be one piece of the pie that makes up your retirement plan. The other pieces of that pie? Social Security and personal savings. Here are some tips to make getting started on a personal savings plan a tiny bit easier: 

Maintaining a proper work-life balance can be a struggle, and with the ability to work from home becoming more common, the lines between work and home have blurred more than ever before. Bedrooms, living rooms, and spare bedrooms have transformed into work spaces. Temporary offices have become permanent shared office spaces. Daily commuting to-and-from work that would traditionally serve as a mental transition period between work and home are gone, and with it, for some, the mental off-switch that would result from a drive home listening to the radio or favorite podcast.

As a member of the Arizona State Retirement System, you make contributions with each of your paychecks. Both you and your employer contribute equal amounts, which are invested to generate revenue and build the ASRS trust fund, which in turn pays your guaranteed lifetime pension benefit upon retirement. These contributions, plus interest, combine to form your account balance.