AR SB53

Public employees convicted or pleading guilty/nolo contendere to a felony arising from their official actions forfeit all credited service and retirement benefits from state retirement systems.

Elected public officials (Governor, judges, legislators, and 12 other specified offices) face the same forfeiture of retirement benefits for felony convictions or guilty pleas related to their official actions.

Upon conviction or plea, the court must notify the applicable retirement system, which immediately stops any annuity payments and refunds accumulated employee contributions minus any annuity already received.

Individuals can be restored to full retirement rights if their conviction is overturned and they are acquitted, or if they receive a pardon, provided they repay any refunded contributions.

The public employee provisions apply to those hired or promoted after the effective date; elected official provisions apply to those elected or re-elected on or after January 1, 2020.