Bill > HB1156

This bill amends the Arkansas Teacher Retirement System (ATRS) law by reducing the minimum marriage duration requirement for a surviving spouse to receive survivor annuity benefits from two years to one year. Specifically, the bill modifies the existing statute so that if an active member does not designate an alternative beneficiary, their surviving spouse who was married to them for at least one year immediately preceding the member's death will be eligible to receive an annuity. The annuity will be calculated as if the deceased member had retired on the date of death and elected Option A, which provides 100% survivor annuity benefits. The bill includes an emergency clause that emphasizes the importance of updating the retirement system's provisions, explains the need for administrative clarity, and sets the effective date as July 1, 2025. The emergency declaration highlights the bill's significance for maintaining an orderly benefits system for ATRS members and ensuring proper administrative procedures.

Labor and Employment

https://arkleg.state.ar.us/Bills/Detail?id=hb1156&ddBienniumSession=2025%2F2025R