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Retirement Education

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Retirement Education

Wherever you are on your retirement journey, we have educational resources available for you. Whether you are new to APERS, are a vested member in the middle of your career, are actively considering retirement or entry into the Deferred Retirement Option Plan (DROP), or are ready to exit the DROP, we have educational opportunities available for you. These opportunities provide the information you need to make the best possible plans for your future. Click one of the links below to start.

I'm New to APERS

(not vested)

As a non-vested member (having fewer than five years of service), find out the basics about APERS and what you can expect over the course of your career. 

I'm in The Middle of My Career

(vested)

As a vested member (having five years of service or more), find out the basics of retirement planning and how APERS can help you meet your retirement goals.

I'm Ready to Retire or Enter the DROP

As a member within 12 months of retirement or entering the DROP, find out about the process of applying to retire or to enter the DROP. You will also obtain an estimate of what your annuity will be.

I'm Ready to Exit the DROP

As an active DROP participant considering exiting the DROP within 12 months, find out about the process of applying to exit the DROP and the ways you can receive your accumulated DROP balance.

How to Enroll for a Seminar or Webinar

The first step to enroll is to create a myAPERS account if you have not already done so.

After you are logged in, click “Register for a Seminar” under the Quick Links on the left side of the screen.

How to Register for a Seminar

If you still have questions after attending a seminar or webinar, please reach out to us via myAPERS secure message or by phone at (501) 682-7800.

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.