Teachers · Public Employees
Arkansas Teacher Pension Calculator 2026
Arkansas Teacher Retirement System (ATRS). See your exact monthly pension, vesting timeline, and COLA-adjusted income — free, no sign-up.
Pension multiplier
2.1%
Social Security
No ⚠️
Vesting
5 years
COLA
CPI-linked (up to 3.0%)
Your teacher pension breakdown
Select your state and fill in your details →
About the Arkansas Teacher Retirement System (ATRS)
The Arkansas Teacher Retirement System (ATRS) is Arkansas's primary retirement plan for public school teachers. It is a <strong>defined benefit</strong> plan, meaning your retirement income is guaranteed by formula — not dependent on market performance.
Your monthly pension is calculated as: Years of Service × 2.1% × Final Average Salary (averaged over your highest 3 years). For example, a teacher with 30 years of service and a $70,000 final average salary would receive approximately $3,752/month before any deductions.
Vesting: You must complete 5 years of service to vest. Before that point, leaving the system means forfeiting your pension benefit entirely (though you can withdraw your own contributions).
Cost-of-living adjustments (COLA): The Arkansas Teacher Retirement System (ATRS) provides a CPI-linked (up to 3.0%) COLA, helping your pension maintain purchasing power through retirement.
Employee contribution rate: Arkansas teachers contribute 14.0% of their salary to the pension system each year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Arkansas have Social Security for teachers?
No. Arkansas teachers do not participate in Social Security. Your Arkansas Teacher Retirement System (ATRS) pension is your primary guaranteed retirement income. If you have Social Security earnings from other employment, the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) will likely reduce those benefits.
How many years to vest in the Arkansas Teacher Retirement System (ATRS)?
You need 5 years of service to vest. Once vested, you are entitled to a pension at normal retirement age even if you leave teaching before then.
What is the Arkansas teacher pension formula?
Your monthly pension = Years of Service × 2.1% × Final Average Salary (highest 3-year average). A teacher with 30 years and $70,000 FAS earns ~$3,752/month.
Does the Arkansas Teacher Retirement System (ATRS) have a COLA?
Yes — a CPI-linked (up to 3.0%) annual adjustment. Use the calculator above to see how COLA compounds your income over 10 and 20 years.
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