Short answer: the Arkansas Teacher Retirement System doesn't provide or advise on retiree health insurance. For state or school retiree coverage, call the Employee Benefits Division (EBD). ATRS's checklist says to do that about six months before you retire, once your retirement application is in. Member Handbook p. 6, Retirement and Insurance; p. 50, 6 Months Prior to Retirement; 2026 Retirement Planner p. 8, Important Tips for Retirees
What ATRS says
ATRS does not administer health insurance. For state or school retiree health insurance, contact the state's Employee Benefits Division (EBD) at (501) 682-9656 (or 877-815-1017) or https://my.arbenefits.org. Soon-to-be retirees should reach out to EBD once they've submitted a retirement application. Member Handbook p. 6, Retirement and Insurance; p. 50, 6 Months Prior to Retirement; 2026 Retirement Planner p. 8, Important Tips for Retirees
ATRS's planner calls health care cost a big concern in retirement and says to understand your options and plan your health insurance before retiring. For Medicare it points to medicare.gov. 2026 Retirement Planner p. 8, Important Tips for Retirees
When to call EBD
ATRS's retirement checklist says to contact the Employee Benefits Division (EBD) about insurance six months before you retire. Member Handbook p. 50, 6 Months Prior to Retirement When you can retire, and how much less you'd get retiring early, is on the early retirement page.
If you're in T-DROP
No change in school benefits/insurance until retirement while in T-DROP. Member Handbook p. 49; T-DROP pamphlet p. 2 ('No loss of school benefits')
What the sources leave out
None of the ATRS sources names the public school employee (PSE) plan, a premium subsidy or eligibility rules; those are EBD's. So we don't give premiums, subsidies or eligibility rules here. EBD is the place to ask.
ATRS sources only refer retirees to EBD/ARBenefits; nothing on the public school (PSE) retiree plan, premiums or eligibility.
What would settle it: EBD's retiree benefits guide from my.arbenefits.org.From the sources
- ATRS doesn't run health insurance. For state or school retiree health insurance, contact the Employee Benefits Division (EBD) at (501) 682-9656 or 877-815-1017, or my.arbenefits.org, once you've applied to retire.Member Handbook pp. 6, 50; 2026 Retirement Planner p. 8
- T-DROP participants keep their school benefits and insurance until they retire.Member Handbook p. 49; T-DROP pamphlet p. 2
Questions
Does ATRS provide retiree health insurance?
No. ATRS pays your pension. Retiree health insurance for state and school employees is handled by the Employee Benefits Division (EBD).
When should I contact EBD?
ATRS suggests reaching out to EBD once you've sent in your retirement application, about six months before you retire.
Do I keep my school insurance in T-DROP?
Yes. ATRS says T-DROP participants keep their school benefits and insurance until they retire.
Where do I learn about Medicare?
ATRS points retirees to medicare.gov. ATRS doesn't advise on health insurance.
Source: ATRS Member Handbook, 2026-2027 school year (current as of July 2026), pp. 6, 49, 50. Also: 2026 Retirement Planner p. 8; T-DROP pamphlet p. 2. Last reviewed .