TO ALLOW A MEMBER OF THE ARKANSAS PUBLIC EMPLOYEES' RETIREMENT SYSTEM TO RECEIVE SERVICE CREDIT FROM SERVICE UNDER AN ALTERNATE RETIREMENT PLAN TO MEET ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS.

HB 1325 allows Arkansas public employees who previously participated in an alternate retirement plan (like a different state or local plan) to count that prior service toward retirement eligibility under the Arkansas Public Employees' Retirement System. It applies specifically to members who did not vest in or withdraw contributions from their previous plan during that employment period. To qualify, employees must provide documentation from both their previous employer and the alternate retirement plan, verified by the Retirement System's Executive Director. This change helps employees who switched retirement systems meet minimum service requirements for benefits without losing prior work history.