AR
Arkansas House Bill HB1156

Arkansas 2025 Regular Session

Arkansas House Bill HB1156

Introduced
1/16/25  
Refer
1/16/25  
Report Pass
2/18/25  
Engrossed
2/19/25  
Enrolled
2/24/25  
Chaptered
2/27/25  

Caption

To Amend The Law Concerning The Eligibility Of A Surviving Spouse For Survivor Annuity Benefits Under The Arkansas Teacher Retirement System; And To Declare An Emergency.

Impact

This amendment is expected to provide clearer guidelines and support for surviving spouses within the Arkansas Teacher Retirement System. By defining eligibility based explicitly on the duration of the marriage prior to the member's death, the bill aims to streamline the benefits process and reduce ambiguity. It recognizes the contributions and sacrifices made by families of educators, enhancing the overall benefit structure of the retirement system for its members' families.

Summary

House Bill 1156 seeks to amend the eligibility criteria for survivor annuity benefits under the Arkansas Teacher Retirement System. The bill stipulates that a surviving spouse married to an active member for at least one year prior to the member's death will be entitled to receive an annuity calculated as if the active member had retired on the date of death. This is significant as it ensures that the surviving spouse receives a substantial financial benefit, aligning with practices considered supportive of teachers and their families.

Contention

A point of contention may arise concerning the one-year marriage requirement, as stakeholders could argue that this timeframe is insufficient for establishing entitlements. Critics might advocate for a longer duration to ensure that benefits are genuinely reflective of a lasting partnership, potentially sparking discussions about fairness and adequacy in how survivor benefits are structured. Furthermore, the declaration of an emergency clause indicates the urgency of addressing current complexities in benefit administration, which may call into question the speed and thoroughness of legislative processes used to enact such changes.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

AR SB115

To Amend And Update The Law Concerning Survivor Annuity Benefits Under The Arkansas Teacher Retirement System; And To Declare An Emergency.

AR HB1186

To Amend And Update The Law Concerning Annuity Options Under The Arkansas Teacher Retirement System; And To Declare An Emergency.

AR HB1260

To Amend The Law Concerning Annuities Under The Arkansas Local Police And Fire Retirement System; And To Declare An Emergency.

AR SB126

To Amend The Arkansas Public Employees’ Retirement System Plan Regarding Survivor Benefits; And To Declare An Emergency.

AR HB1202

To Amend The Law Concerning The Multiplier Used To Calculate A Life Annuity Under The Arkansas Teacher Retirement System; And To Declare An Emergency.

AR HB1187

To Amend And Update The Law Concerning The Lump-sum Death Benefit Under The Arkansas Teacher Retirement System; And To Declare An Emergency.

AR HB1201

To Enact The Arkansas Teacher Retirement System’s General Omnibus Act; And To Declare An Emergency.

AR SB129

To Amend The State Police Retirement System Plan Regarding Survivor Benefits; And To Declare An Emergency.

AR HB1193

To Amend Titles Of Members Of The Board Of Trustees Of The Arkansas State Highway Employees' Retirement System; And To Amend The Laws Regarding Survivor Benefits Under The Arkansas State Highway Employees' Retirement System.

AR HB1188

To Amend And Update The Law Concerning The Final Average Salary Under The Arkansas Teacher Retirement System; And To Declare An Emergency.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.