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ASRS Legislative News

The 53rd Legislature – First Regular Session, adjourned on May 10, 2017. The Arizona State Retirement System had five legislative initiatives pass into law. They all have relatively minor impact to members and retirees, mainly clarifying language in existing state statutes.

Below is a brief summary. You can also follow these and other retirement-related bills throughout the legislative session on our ASRS Bill Tracker.

Contribution Rates to remain stable

After the close of each fiscal year, the ASRS conducts a valuation of the various benefit plans that it manages to ensure they are fiscally sound. From the valuations, contribution rates are set for the next fiscal year. Despite a relatively slow economy and lower investment performance, the contribution rates for the pension plan (which includes the health insurance premium benefit) will remain unchanged for the next fiscal year, which begins July 1, 2017.

New administrator selected to oversee ASRS LTD program

Broadspire Services Inc., a leading third-party administrator, will replace Sedgwick as administrtor of the ASRS Long Term Disability Program effective September 1.

The change should have no major impact for the more than 4,000 members currently on the ASRS LTD plan. A letter from Broadspire is being mailed to all current members receiving Long Term Dsiability benefits.

LTD members may contact Sedgwick with questions about their coverage through Aug. 31. All contact from Sept. 1 forward should be directed to Broadspire.

A Checklist for Settling Affairs

A checklist of documents you may need to settle a loved one's affairs:

Power disruption affected some services Monday

An interruption in electrical power Monday afternoon to the ASRS building at 3300 N. Central Ave. in Phoenix caused disruptions in some services, including the ASRS Call Center and access to the secure member website The disruption began around 3 p.m. Monday and most all systems were restored by 1 a.m. The ASRS apologizes for any inconvenience to those who may have tried to call Monday afternoon or access certain applications on the secure website.

ASRS Retiree Open Enrollment for 2018 Plan Year

Open Enrollment for ASRS retiree group health insurance start Wed, Nov 1st and runs through Thur, Nov 30th, with plan benefits beginning on Jan 1, 2018. This year will be a PASSIVE enrollment, meaning if you are happy with your current plans and coverages, NO ACTION IS REQUIRED. Your current selections will roll over into the 2018 benefit year.

Why Do I Need Savings If I Have a Pension?

ASRS retirees are fortunate to have both a pension and social security benefits... do we really need a savings account as well? Read on for what experts say about the role of personal savings in your financial future.

March Board, Investment Committee meetings canceled

Please note that the Board of Trustee meeting and the Investment Committee meeting originally scheduled for March have been canceled. The next scheduled Board meeting will be Friday, April 28 at 8:30 a.m. in the Board Room of the ASRS building, 3300 N. Central Ave., Phoenix. The next Investment Committee will be Monday, April 24 at 2:30 p.m. in the 14th floor conference room at the ASRS building.

Input Needed for "Regulation Rollback"

A new rulemaking initiative called "Regulation Rollback" is being implemented by the Governor's Office and your input is needed. Read on for more information about how you can weigh in.

New fiscal year, new contribution rates

Contribution rates for members and employers have been set for next fiscal year, which begins July 1, 2017.

The total contribution rate for the defined benefit plan, health insurance supplement and long term disability plan will be 11.50 percent for both employer and employee, up just slightly from the total rate of 11.48 percent for the current fiscal year, which ends June 30, 2017.

The new rate will be in effect through June 30, 2018. See Contribution Rates for more information.