State Public Pensions in Arkansas: when someone dies
A 5-step process for Arkansas Public Employees Retirement System (APERS) and Arkansas Teacher Retirement System (ATRS) after a death in Arkansas.
Administering agency
Arkansas Public Employees Retirement System (APERS) and Arkansas Teacher Retirement System (ATRS)
Authority
Ark. Code Ann. 24-7-710 (ATRS survivor benefits)
Steps to take
- Identify whether the deceased was a member of APERS (government employee) or ATRS (educator).
- Report the death to the member's retirement system so pension payments stop — APERS at 501-682-7800, ATRS at 501-682-1517.
- For APERS, a counselor sends an eligibility questionnaire to determine whether there are qualifying survivors; an application is then mailed to the survivors the questionnaire identifies.
- Confirm the beneficiary designation on file and ask what survivor annuity, lump-sum death benefit, or refund of contributions is payable.
- File the survivor or death-benefit application promptly — an ATRS surviving spouse must apply within six full calendar months of the death to receive immediate survivor benefits from the month after death.
Arkansas Public Employees Retirement System (APERS) and Arkansas Teacher Retirement System (ATRS)
Phone: 501-682-7800
Visit the agency website →Frequently asked questions
Contact the member's retirement system. APERS, for state and local government workers, is reachable at 501-682-7800 (toll-free 800-682-7377). ATRS, for public educators, is reachable at 501-682-1517. Each handles survivor and death-benefit claims for its members.
If a vested member — one with at least five years of active service — dies before retirement, a monthly survivor annuity may be payable to a spouse who was married to the member for at least six months before death, to dependent children, or to dependent parents if there is no spouse or child. If no one qualifies, APERS refunds the member's employee contributions to the named beneficiary, or to the estate if no beneficiary was named.
Yes. An active member or retiree with at least ten years of actual service credit qualifies for a lump-sum death benefit of up to $10,000 — $10,000 for ten or more years of contributory service, $6,667 for ten or more years of only noncontributory service, and a prorated amount for mixed service. It is a legislatively created benefit, not a life insurance policy.
Yes, in effect. An eligible surviving spouse receives monthly benefits beginning the month after the member's death only if ATRS receives the survivor application within six full calendar months of the death. If the application arrives later, benefits begin the month ATRS receives it.
Sources
Data sourced from State Public Pensions in Arkansas primary sources (5 pages reviewed). How we research.
Administering agency
Arkansas Public Employees Retirement System (APERS) and Arkansas Teacher Retirement System (ATRS)
Authority
Ark. Code Ann. 24-7-710 (ATRS survivor benefits)