APERS will be closed on Monday, November 11, 2024 in observance of Veterans Day. Regular hours will resume on Tuesday, November 12, 2024.

Board of Trustees

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Board of Trustees

Act 177 of 1957 established a retirement system for employees of the state of Arkansas and created the APERS Board and its duties, organization, powers, and function.

Trustees serve without compensation and are responsible as fiduciaries to protect the long-term value of the system’s investment portfolio and provide benefit security for members. They are entrusted to invest funds at the highest possible long-term rate of return consistent with appropriate levels of diversity and risk. This must be accomplished at the lowest possible cost to participating employers.

The board receives counsel from staff, advisory committees, and investment consultants to help formulate its investment policy.

Meet the Board of Trustees:

The Honorable Larry Walther, Chair
Treasurer of State, Ex-Officio Member

Secretary Daryl Bassett, Vice Chair
Department of Labor and Licensing
State Employee Member, Appointed by the Governor

Judge Barry Moehring
County Judge
County Employee Member, Appointed by the Governor

Secretary Jim Hudson
Department of Finance and Administration, Ex-Officio Member

Mayor Joe Hurst
Mayor of Van Buren
Municipal Employee Member, Appointed by the Governor

Mr. Dale Douthit
Chairman of Arkansas Workers’ Compensation Commission
State Employee Member, Appointed by the Governor

Mr. Gary Carnahan
Municipal Employee Member, Appointed by the Governor

The Honorable Dennis Milligan
Auditor of State, Ex-Officio Member

Ms. Candace Franks
Retired State Employee Member, Appointed by the Governor

Ms. Kaye Donham
Retired State Employee Member, Appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives

Mr. Richard Wilson
Retired State Employee Member, Appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate

Mr. Russell White
Retired Law Enforcement Member, Appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives

Mr. Gary Wallace
Retired Law Enforcement Member, Appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate

Board Rules

While APERS strives to maintain the accuracy of the information on this website regarding your retirement benefits, the passage of a new law will take precedence over any APERS rule. 

Board Meetings and Materials

Board Meetings

Q4 2024 Board Meeting
When: December 4, 2024
09:00 am

Other Meetings

Investments Finance Sub-Committee Meeting
When: November 5, 2024
10:00 am
Investments Finance Sub-Committee Meeting
When: September 25, 2024
01:30 pm
Member Appeals Sub-committee Meeting
When: September 5, 2024
09:00 am

Resources

Disclaimer on Benefits and Rights

Disclaimer Concerning Benefit Calculations, Benefit Projections, Counseling, and Certain Conditions Regarding APERS Benefits and Rights

The purpose of this Disclaimer is to summarize, in plain language, existing APERS policy concerning benefit calculations, benefit projections, counseling, and certain conditions regarding APERS benefits and rights. This Disclaimer does not reflect any alteration or amendment of existing APERS policy. This site includes general information about APERS programs and benefits and may not represent or include completely the law and/or rules that govern APERS. Arkansas law and/or administrative rules will supersede any information in conflict.

APERS strives to provide accurate information and assistance to plan participants who have questions regarding their APERS benefits. All information and calculations concerning benefits are based upon current law and policy, even though information often concerns future benefits. Likewise, laws and policies affecting plan participants are subject to change from time to time. The Arkansas General Assembly, U. S. Congress, federal agencies, and the APERS Board of Trustees may change how benefits are calculated and change other rights of plan participants. Any benefit projection or information provided by APERS is subject to future law or policy that is applicable to APERS.

APERS staff depends upon information provided by the plan participants and offers counseling and projects future benefit estimates based upon that information. Such estimates can vary materially from actual results. Calculations concerning benefits, as well as the information APERS provides during counseling, can be materially affected if the plan participant provides inaccurate or incomplete information, or omits material facts. Plan participants are presumed to have knowledge of all publicly available laws and policies that affect their APERS benefits and rights. APERS is under no duty to ensure that plan participants are specifically informed of a new law or policy unless required within the law or policy itself. If APERS attempts to notify plan participants who may be affected by a change of a law or policy, the failure to notify a specific plan participant does not create any right or cause of action for the plan participant.

APERS does not provide plan participants with specific recommendations regarding retirement options, tax advice, or legal advice. Each plan participant is solely responsible for determining whether benefit calculations, benefit projections, benefit estimates, and retirement plan options are suitable for the plan participant based upon his or her specific retirement objectives and personal and financial situation. APERS encourages plan participants to consult their own lawyer, accountant, tax professional, or other retirement adviser before making a decision that affects their benefits and rights regarding APERS.

Federal law and policy, state law and policy, APERS records and documents, and accurate data always govern the final determination of plan participant benefits and rights. An error by APERS does not create any common law rights on behalf of the plan participant. The rights of a plan participant are solely governed by the rights set forth in law and policy applicable to APERS.