employer news

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. 

To protect member privacy and ensure accurate service, members should contact ASRS directly when they have questions about their own accounts and use their personal, secure ASRS online account to submit inquiries.

ASRS has seen an increase in employers calling, emailing, or sending secure messages on behalf of members. While employers play an important support role, ARS §38-755 limits the information ASRS can share with third parties, including employers.

When members contact ASRS directly:

While members are receiving Long-Term Disability (LTD) benefits, Broadspire will issue a W-2 for these benefits, which will be mailed by January 31st. W-2 forms will be sent to the member’s address on file with Broadspire. If a member contacts the Employer regarding a missing LTD W-2, please direct them to their Disability Specialist for assistance. 

Additionally, please note that updated claim packets will be available through the employer's secure account by January 31, 2026.

Workforce changes like a Reduction in Force (RIF) can be difficult for employers and employees alike. When a RIF affects ASRS–covered employees, employer reporting isn’t just a formality.  It has real consequences for a member’s retirement records and how quickly a member can access benefits such as refunds or retirement disbursements.

A new year is the perfect time to review, refresh, and strengthen your ASRS Secure Employer Account. In the coming months, the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS) will transition to ID.me multi-factor authentication (MFA) to further protect employer and member information.

To ensure a smooth transition and avoid any interruption to your ability to conduct business with ASRS, employer action is essential.

An Employee's resignation or termination does not affect their Long-Term Disability (LTD) claim or its processing. If the Employee is no longer employed when they begin the application process, they may still be eligible, provided they were an active contributing member of the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS) as of the potential date of disability. 

If the LTD claim is approved and the Employee begins receiving LTD benefit payments, they will continue to accrue ASRS service credit toward their retirement.

As an employer with ASRS-participating members, you play a crucial role in ensuring compliance and giving eligible new hires all the information and tools they need. One of the most important, but sometimes overlooked, items is the 65+ Membership Waiver. Understanding this waiver, and having the right processes in place, benefits both your organization and your employees.

In March, ASRS will be upgrading the log-in process for all secure accounts, both Member and Employer, in order to strengthen account security and streamline access. To ensure a smooth transition, we need your help now.

Before this upgrade goes live, please take time to review and update your employer account information. Accurate access and clean user records are essential for a seamless rollout.

What You Need to Do Now

1. Confirm Administrator Access

Double-check that your designated administrators are still correct: