Arizona State Retirement System

Many of our retirees have noted a change in the amounts of their January 2018 benefit checks. This is usually due to changes in health / dental premiums which went into effect on January 1st. Rates were included in the recent Open Enrollment Guide, which can be viewed on the ASRS website on the Healthcare pages. For questions about your specific situation, you can log into your myASRS account & send us a Secure Message, or call our Member Advisory Center at (602) 240-2000 to speak with a Benefits Advisor. Please be aware that we are currently experiencing higher than normal call volumes in this post-holiday season. https://www.azasrs.gov/content/health-care

Lol lol lol lol lol ... increase???? The state of Arizona???? That’s a joke right? State employees have had 1 raise in 23 years. The last mandated raise was in what ummm 2010

No you cannot. You have to take it all out, which means that you can’t be working for the contributor any longer.

You may cancel your current insurance(s) online. Find the Enrollment link in your myASRS account on the ASRS website. It’s in the APPLY NOW section under MEDICAL/DENTAL INSURANCE and follow the instructions. Your cancellation must be received by the ASRS prior to the first day of the month your cancellation is to become effective. If you do not notify ASRS you will be responsible for your monthly premium until ASRS receives your cancellation. To dis-enroll from the ASRS Medicare plans, you must submit a disenrollment letter signed and dated by all Medicare enrolled members. Please keep in mind, should you need to re-enroll, you will need to wait until annual Open Enrollment (usually in late-fall) or for a qualifying life event. https://www.azasrs.gov/content/online-health-insurance-enrollment

It entirely depends on your years of service. I would recommend logging into your myASRS account and playing with the Benefit Estimator to get an idea of what your benefit will look like at different retirement dates. If you still have questions after that, consider calling to speak with a Benefits Advisor at 602-240-2000

Www.azasrs gov

Changes every year

If you have Delta Dental coverage, it includes a vision discount program through EyeMed Vision Care. This is a DISCOUNT plan, not insurance. It is important to note that Eyemed does not retain a member file. Thus, if you were to contact Eyemed directly, they would be unable to verify your eligibility within their system. To receive the vision discount, you must first verify that your provider is a contracted provider within EyeMed's system. Then, at the time of the service, your provider will honor your discount. To locate an EyeMed doctor near you, please call Vision Discount Services (via EyeMed, Group #9231093), 1-866-246-9041 or locate a provider online via the following link: eyemedvisioncare.com/deltadental

We have a limited number of staff working on-site right now so appointments are recommended: 602-240-2000

Simply log into your myASRS account to change any of your contact info, including your email address. If you haven’t set up your online account - or have forgotten your password - that’s no problem! Simply click “First Time Registering” or “Having Trouble Logging In” from the myASRS login page and follow the prompts. Https://www.azasrs.gov You’ll find the myASRS login link in thr top right corner of any page on our website.

Our office is not yet open to the public (except for self-service document drop-off). However, if you are in need if an appointment, we are offering video or telephone sessions. Please call (602) 240-2000 to schedule yours.

If you are living in Arizona and are on the Medicare Advantage HMO plan, you would need to switch to the Medicare Advantage PPO plan which is for our out of state retirees. This chart explains which plan is right for you: https://www.azasrs.gov/sites/default/files/Need_Help_Choosing_a_Medicare_Health_Plan.pdf

ASRS retirees can elect state/federal withholdings by indicating how many allowances they wish to take. The ASRS does not withhold social security. To learn more about ASRS pension withholdings, visit: https://www.azasrs.gov/content/tax-information

Yes, the first open enrollment email will be sent out within the next week to tell ASRS retirees know what to expect & when. Open Enrollments packets will be mailed out by mid-October. Open Enrollment will begin November 1st through November 30th. Watch your in-box and mailbox for information coming soon! Also, we encourage you to join our Facebook page for the most timely updates. Thanks for the question!

The opportunities for ASRS members to enroll in an ASRS retiree group health insurance program are, 1.) when you retire; 2.) during open enrollment which is every fall, typically during the month of November; or 3.) if there's been a significant life change (i.e. marriage, divorce, change in dependents, etc). To learn more about our programs and options, please visit the ASRS retiree healthcare pages on the ASRS website: https://www.azasrs.gov/content/health-care

You do have the option to refund your account & you can learn more here: https://www.azasrs.gov/content/refunding-your-account-and-terminating-asrs-membership

This is a very common request and, fortunately, you can log into your myASRS account at any time to pull a copy of your account statement. Your real-time statement is available 24/7. You can access your myASRS account by clicking the link in the upper right-hand corner of any page of the ASRS website. If you haven't set up your online access yet (or you've forgotten your password), no worries! Just click on First Time Registering or Having Trouble Logging In from the login page, and the system will walk you through set up or resetting your password. Thanks for being a member!

Your benefit amount will fundamentally remain the same; however, factors that will impact a change to the amount may include health insurance premiums, payment of a Permanent Benefit Increase, levies or child support payments, etc. To learn more about benefit payments: https://www.azasrs.gov/content/benefit-payments

Unfortunately no. It is ridiculous that this is not in option. Life throws u curveball and you would think you could at least barrow your own money. I know co workers that have had to quite their job just so they could pull their money to save their home or bury a parent or child or feed their children. Too bad there isn’t even another retirement option for state of Arizona employees who by the way are highly underpaid and state of Arizona in fact is the lowest paying in the nation. ASRS will be gone soon. Temps don’t pay into retirement.

Are you actually asking about your personal retirement account on Google? Maybe, just maybe, ASRS has a members contact that would be a better venue for your question.

ASRS can email a blank form to your email on file.

Yes, there are several notaries on-staff. It is recommended to call to schedule an appt: 602-240-2000

Please call 602-240-2000 to discuss your situation with a Retirement Specialist.

To update your address with the ASRS, please log into your myASRS account. 1099R forms are scheduled to be mailed in late January.

When

We’re sorry about your loss and we are here to help you: https://www.azasrs.gov/content/report-death

I don't know. Call HR and ask

Consecutive 36 months within your last 10yrs.

When one retires your monthly retirement payout is based on the amount you and your employer have put into your pension account

All ASRS contact info can be found on our website under Contact Us: https://www.azasrs.gov/content/contact-us

when you fill out your retirement paperwork there are choices though make. Having a spouse you will have to automatically include her. if you were previously married while working for the state, and depending on how long you were married she may get part of your retirement as well. I suggest you make an appointment and talk to a Retirement Specialist.

Because ASRS pension accounts are classified as 401(a) accounts with the IRS, it is not possible to borrow against your future retirement benefit. That said, retirement system members are encouraged to participate in supplemental savings plans which are structured differently and also include the option to borrow against the balance in some circumstances. To learn more about the ASRS supplemental savings plans, visit: https://www.azasrs.gov/content/supplement-your-retirement To learn more different plan types (i.e. 401(k) V 401(a)), visit: https://www.azasrs.gov/blog/can-i-borrow-against-my-pension

Have your dad log into his myASRS account to download another copy of his forms. If online access hasn't been set up yet (or if he's forgotten his password) - that's no problem! Simply click on "First Time Registering" or "Having Trouble Logging In" from the myASRS login page for assistance. https://secure.azasrs.gov/web/Login.do

As a reminder, the new federal tax tables & 2019 retiree insurance premiums were applied to pension checks in January, and may affect your net benefit payments. Retirees wondering about changes to their January 2019 pension amount can log into their secure myASRS account to view their deposit statement which shows tax & other withholdings. While logged in to your myASRS account, you can also update your current tax withholding amounts: https://secure.azasrs.gov/web/Login.do For additional information about tax reporting, withholdings, links to the IRS withholding calculator and ASRS’ special tax notices, visit the Tax Information page on the ASRS website: https://www.azasrs.gov/content/tax-information You may also notice this year's 1099R form looks slightly different than in previous years, which is due to our recent upgrade in payment processing. Read more here: https://www.azasrs.gov/blog/asrs-upgrading-its-payment-process-beginning-january-2019

Ms Burrell, without knowing more specifics about your circumstances, we're unable to answer these questions without additional information. Please call the ASRS Member Advisory Center at (602) 240-2000, or log into your myASRS account and send our Benefit Advisors a Secure Message. We look forward to assisting you.

Where does the rest go Bridgette? Is that a penalty? Example: I have 80k total 10+ years so I keep mine and my employers portion but my “refund now estimate” Amount is 73k where is the other 7k going ? Sorry if it is a dumb question....

Simply log into your myASRS account, anytime, 24/7. If you haven't set up your online profile yet (or, you've forgotten your password) simply click on "First Time Registering" or "Having Trouble Logging In" from the login page: https://secure.azasrs.gov/web/Login.do

Yes, the ASRS offers a "Service Purchase" program to buy back eligible public service that will count towards your retirement. Learn more about the program on our website, here: https://www.azasrs.gov/content/service-purchase

Please log into your secure myASRS account via the ASRS website. All of your personal information is provided online 24/7 in our secure member portal. https://secure.azasrs.gov/web/Login.do

If you have previous service with a qualified employer, we do have a "Service Purchase" program. You can learn more about it and how to apply here: https://www.azasrs.gov/content/service-purchase

Unfortunately that is not an option. However, if you have prior public service (such as teaching in another state, military service, etc) there is a program called Service Purchase that allows you to "buy back" that public service and it will credit towards your overall years of service and get you closer to your points needed for retirement. To learn more about Service Purchase: https://www.azasrs.gov/content/service-purchase Alternatively, you may also be interested in supplemental retirement savings. While it doesn't count towards your points or years of service, it will supplement the monies you have saved for retirement and offer possibly offer you some flexibility in your planning: https://www.azasrs.gov/content/supplement-your-retirement

You can access your funds upon retirement, where you will make a non-revocable selection of the time of monthly annuity you would like to receive. Or, if you terminate employment with an ASRS employer, you may also choose to refund your account and terminate your ASRS membership. To learn your options when leaving ASRS employment: https://www.azasrs.gov/sites/default/files/pdf/Leaving_ASRS_Employment.pdf To learn more about refunding & terminating membership: https://www.azasrs.gov/content/refunding-your-account-and-terminating-asrs-membership

The ASRS retirement plan is classified as a 401(a) defined benefit plan by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). IRS regulations make no provision for taking a loan against a 401(a) plan as may be the case with other retirement savings plans, such as a 401(k) or voluntary 457 deferred compensation plans (such as the ASRS Supplemental Savings Plan), which may allow loans. To learn more: https://www.azasrs.gov/blog/member-question-can-i-take-loan-my-retirement

Please call our Member Advisory Center for assistance with your personal account information: 602-240-2000

If you could re-ask your question, we would love to assist you.

The ASRS retirement plan is classified as a 401(a) defined benefit plan by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). IRS regulations make no provision for taking a loan against a 401(a) plan as may be the case with other retirement savings plans, such as a 401(k) or voluntary 457 deferred compensation plans (such as the ASRS Supplemental Savings Plan), which may allow loans. To learn more: https://www.azasrs.gov/blog/member-question-can-i-take-loan-my-retirement

The ASRS retirement plan is classified as a 401(a) defined benefit plan by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). IRS regulations make no provision for taking a loan against a 401(a) plan as may be the case with other retirement savings plans, such as a 401(k) or voluntary 457 deferred compensation plans (such as the ASRS Supplemental Savings Plan), which may allow loans. To learn more: https://www.azasrs.gov/blog/member-question-can-i-take-loan-my-retirement

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If you never refunded or rolled over your funds, they are still on account with the ASRS and will continue to accrue interest. Should you ever return to employment with an ASRS employer, your years of service would pick up where you left off. To access your funds, you can either leave on account with us until you are eligible to retiree, OR you can choose to refund and terminate your ASRS membership. Leaving ASRS Employment: https://www.azasrs.gov/sites/default/files/pdf/Leaving_ASRS_Employment.pdf Refunding & Terminating Membership: https://www.azasrs.gov/content/refunding-your-account-and-terminating-asrs-membership

Basically, if you return to work for an ASRS employer having previously refunded your account, you will be starting over as far as building up years of service and accruing points towards retirement eligibility. This table will explain how years of service and points accrue towards retirement eligibility: https://www.azasrs.gov/content/retirement-eligibility

If you work for an ASRS employer and meet membership eligibility criteria for participation, then yes, you would be required to participate. The most basic definition of eligibility as defined by Arizona statute is employees hired to work at least 20 hours each week for at least 20 weeks within a fiscal year become active members of the ASRS. For further explanation, please speak with your Human Resource administrators.

If you work for an ASRS employer and meet eligibility requirements, then the answer is yes. Please check with your HR department to see if you qualify for membership.