Updated October 22, 2026. Quick answer: The ATRS Member Handbook says an active or recently active member who is vested, has not met age and service retirement requirements and is found totally and permanently disabled from the current job can receive Disability Retirement. The benefit is computed the same way as an age and service benefit with no reduction, and a disability retiree may work for a covered employer no more than 79 days in each fiscal year.
What this covers
The Member Handbook has a section headed “Disability Retirement”. It says “The Disability Retirement process is a complicated area of law.” This page quotes that section. For the wider choices, see Arkansas ATRS retirement decisions and public pension retirement decisions.
What the handbook says
Each row is the handbook’s own wording.
| Topic | What the handbook says |
|---|---|
| Who is eligible | “You are eligible for Disability Retirement if you are currently an active member or were an active member in the fiscal year immediately preceding the current fiscal year” |
| Not yet at retirement age | “Have not met Age and Service Retirement requirements (age 60 or 28 years of service at any age);” |
| Vesting | “Are vested in ATRS, which includes reciprocal service;” |
| The medical test | “Are found by the ATRS Medical Committee, with final approval from the Board, to be totally and permanently physically or mentally disabled, so that you are unable to perform your current job duties.” |
| Benefit amount | “the amount you draw is computed the same way as if you had retired under Age and Service Retirement. You do not have a reduction on your monthly benefit.” |
| Annuity choices | “You are allowed to choose your annuity option from Straight Life Annuity, Option A, or Option B. Disability retirees do not get to choose Option C.” |
| Working as a disability retiree | “you may work for an ATRS covered employer for no more than 79 days in each fiscal year.” |
When to apply, and if you became inactive
“you should file your application as soon as you are aware of a medical condition that may be totally and permanently disabling”. On a recent break in service the handbook says “you may still file an application for Disability Retirement if you have not been inactive for more than 1 fiscal year after your last period of covered employment” in which you earned at least a quarter year of service credit.
If the application is denied
“If your Disability Retirement application is denied, you may request a second review of your application. You may request a second review only once.” After that, “you may reapply for Disability Retirement.”
Social Security Disability
“No, you do not have to be approved for Social Security Disability before you apply for ATRS Disability Retirement.” The handbook adds: “if you are younger than 57 years old when your ATRS Disability Retirement benefits begin, you must apply for and receive a Social Security Disability determination within 3 years of your effective date of Disability Retirement with ATRS.” If the claim is denied, “ATRS has a disability review process.”
Who decides
“The ATRS Medical Committee reviews all Disability applications.” “The Medical Committee is made up of 3 physicians who meet monthly to review applications.”
Leaving the job, and working afterward
“No, if you are approved for Disability Retirement, you do not have a termination separation period.” “However, you must still terminate your covered employment before you can begin receiving Disability Retirement benefits.” On working afterward the handbook says “If you work for more than 79 days, your Disability Retirement benefits will stop, and you will become an active member of the System again.” “It is the member’s responsibility to keep up with the number of days worked in a fiscal year.”
What the handbook does not say
The section prints no benefit dollar example, and it does not set out what counts as a day worked beyond the sentence above. For disability benefits from an employer’s private plan, see what happens when long-term disability ends at 65.
Edition
This page reads the Arkansas Teacher Retirement System (ATRS), Member Handbook, 2026-2027 school year, the file ATRS served on 2026-10-22. It describes ATRS, the system for Arkansas public school teachers and other covered education employees. Other Arkansas systems (APERS, LOPFI and the rest) have their own rules, and Arkansas law and your own member account control over this summary.
Common mistakes
- Assuming Disability Retirement needs a Social Security award first. The handbook says “you do not have to be approved for Social Security Disability before you apply”, but a member under 57 must apply within 3 years.
- Expecting Option C. The handbook says “Disability retirees do not get to choose Option C.”
- Working past the day limit. The handbook says benefits “will stop” if a disability retiree works more than 79 days in a fiscal year.
Related: Arkansas ATRS retirement decisions, public pension retirement decisions, and when long-term disability ends at 65.
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Answer againSources
- Arkansas Teacher Retirement System (ATRS), Member Handbook, 2026-2027 school year: www.artrs.gov
- Related official page (not quoted): Arkansas Teacher Retirement System, official site: www.artrs.gov
- Related official page (not quoted): IRS, Retirement topics: Disability: www.irs.gov
Read from the pension system handbooks linked above on October 22, 2026. General information, not tax advice. Your own facts decide the outcome, and a pension system or a qualified professional is the right place to confirm anything consequential.