Individual Retirement Counseling

Retirement Education Generally

It is important for you to understand your retirement eligibility, benefit amounts, and optional benefits so that you can determine your optimal retirement date. That date can be based on several factors including age, credited service, compensation, marital status, and health. Choosing your optimal retirement date requires education on these factors, and we offer a variety of education options. You should choose an option suited to your preference and needs.

You may be an independent learner who is comfortable with the tools available on our website including benefit information and how-to guides, or transactions available in the MyAPERS self-service portal including estimating benefits and applying for retirement. If you prefer assisted education, we offer both group retirement education and individual retirement counseling. Individual retirement counseling offers the most private, personalized education available.

Individual Retirement Counseling

You should choose individual counseling if you prefer or need a higher level of assistance that is tailored for you. It offers a one-on-one session with you and a retirement counselor, who spends dedicated time reviewing your benefit information and options. You also schedule the session for a date, time, and type that works best for you.

We offer three types of individual retirement counseling sessions to suit your needs:

In-person at our office
Telephone sessions
Video conferencing (Zoom)

How-To

Schedule an Appointment

To schedule an appointment for any type of individual retirement counseling, call us at:

(501)682-7800 locally, or
(800)682-7377 toll free.

When you call, be prepared to provide the following information to assist us in preparing your tailored information:

Estimated retirement date(s)
Current contact information
Marital status and spouse information
Interest in any optional benefits or service credit including reciprocal service, service credit purchases, the Deferred Retirement Option Plan (DROP), or the Partial Annuity Withdrawal (PAW) Program.

Whichever type of counseling you choose, we will send you instructions on how to prepare prior to the meeting.

Location and Parking

If you choose in-person counseling, we offer free parking to our visitors at our parking deck located on the west side of the Union Plaza building between 4^th Street and West Capitol Avenue. Bring your parking ticket inside, and our receptionist will validate it for you.

APERS Member Services
Union Plaza Building
124 W. Capitol Ave, 4^th Floor
Little Rock, AR 72201

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to meet with a counselor before I can retire?

No, you are not required to meet with a counselor. We offer self-service options as well as group education including webinars and in-person seminars.

Should I make an appointment for individual counseling?

We recommend making an appointment. An appointment is the most convenient method of individual retirement counseling because we prepare your information in advance and are ready for you when you arrive. It allows us to review your record, make any adjustments, or ask any questions before you arrive.

Will my appointment cover insurance and other retirement topics?

Our counselors are subject matter experts in APERS law and processes, so the information they provide will pertain only to benefits we offer. If you have questions about other state retirement systems, insurance, leave payouts, taxes, or Social Security, we will be happy to direct you to the appropriate entity so their experts can assist you.

Resources

How To: Virtual Meeting Instructions
Publication: MyAPERS Options (pending)

Online Training Seminars

The online seminars offered through APERS are designed to educate members about their retirement benefits and help them make informed decisions. These seminars cover topics such as retirement planning, benefit options, and financial planning.

Legal Disclaimer

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Application Deadlines

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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.