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Beneficiary Designations

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Beneficiary Designations

All contributory members are asked to designate a beneficiary for their member contributions. If you die, and no one qualifies for a monthly survivor benefit, these beneficiaries will receive your accumulated contributions. If you do not designate a beneficiary, your refund can only be issued to your estate, which will require probate court paperwork and additional time.

It is particularly important that you periodically review your beneficiary designations and update them when appropriate.

How-To

How do I update my beneficiary designations?
If you need to update your beneficiary designations, the fastest method is via the myAPERS Portal under Your Info. Alternatively, you may contact APERS at 501-682-7800 to request the appropriate form and to ask any questions you may have about the process.

How do I check my member contributions balance?
In myAPERS, you can navigate to the Your Account page and click on details next to your account ID. You may also contact APERS at 501-682-7800 to inquire.

Frequently Asked Questions

I am not sure if I have named a beneficiary. How can I check?
In myAPERS, you can navigate to the Your Info page and then scroll down to the beneficiary section. If no beneficiaries are listed, you will have the opportunity to name a beneficiary. You may also contact APERS at 501-682-7800 to inquire.

Why should I name a beneficiary?
Naming a beneficiary ensures that your member contributions are refunded according to your wishes, in the event of your death. Naming a beneficiary also ensures that your beneficiary will not have to complete probate paperwork to obtain the funds.

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.