Arizona State Retirement System members who are elected officials and reach normal retirement can now start collecting retirement benefits while staying in office, and retirees of normal retirement age may now return to work in any elected office, not just term-limited state offices.
Official title: ASRS; retirement; elected officials
- September 12, 2026
What changes
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NowAn ASRS member who is an elected official and reaches the normal retirement date may retire without leaving the elected position. They become a retired member, earn no service credit, are not eligible for long-term disability, and cannot later buy credit for that time.
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NowIf such a retired elected official also holds a nonelected job that requires ASRS contributions, they shall quit all such nonelected jobs or cut their hours below the level needed for active membership.
BeforeA retired member could return to work as a state elected official subject to term limits and still get retirement benefits.
NowA retired member who reaches normal retirement age may return to work as any elected official and still get retirement benefits.
BeforeA member at normal retirement could already retire without leaving a job with hours below active membership level; the text shows no notice or contribution rule for this.
NowFor these members and for elected officials retiring in office, the employer shall pay the alternate contribution rate to ASRS, and the member and employer shall notify ASRS in writing on or before the retirement date.
BeforeThe employer alternate contribution rate applied to a retired member who "returns to work" with an ASRS employer.
NowThe rate applies to a retired member who "works" with an ASRS employer after employment, covering retirees who did not leave their job.
Who it affects
- Elected officials who are members of the Arizona State Retirement System
- ASRS retirees who return to work as elected officials
- ASRS members at normal retirement who keep working below active-membership hours
- Public employers of these members
- Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS)
What you need to do
Elected officials or members who retire without leaving their job must, together with their employer, notify ASRS in writing on or before the retirement date. Retired elected officials holding a nonelected job requiring ASRS contributions must leave it or reduce hours below the active-membership level.
What the law doesn't answer
- How many elected officials may use this option
- Whether it applies to officials who retired or took office before the law took effect
- What happens if a member or employer does not give the required written notice
- What the alternate contribution rate will be in a given year beyond the minimum of 2%
- Whether retiring in office affects the amount of the retirement benefit
This summary describes the law as enacted. Later laws, court rulings or referendum petitions can change the picture. Check the official text for the current wording.