Take Action — Demand Arkansas Pension Transparency

Every Arkansan whose retirement is managed by a state pension fund has a stake in how that money is invested. Here’s how you can make your voice heard — starting today.

5 Minutes

Sign on in support

We’re building a list of Arkansans — educators, public employees, retirees, and concerned taxpayers — who believe pension investments should be based solely on financial merit.

Add your name by emailing divestforarfuture@proton.me with your name, city, and why you care.

Write to pension trustees

The people who make investment decisions for your retirement fund are required by law to act solely in your financial interest. Let them know you’re paying attention.

Keep it professional and focused on fiduciary duty. The most effective messages are short, specific, and center on pecuniary factors — not politics. Ask for a pause, an independent analysis, and transparency. You can cite that new records confirm no independent credit analysis was found across nearly 1,100 documents from two FOIA rounds, and that the APERS board authorized the investment without independent financial analysis being presented beforehand.

For ATRS members (educators and retired educators):

Write to ATRS trustees at info@atrs.gov. You can use or adapt this message:

Dear ATRS Trustees,

As an Arkansas educator and ATRS member, I appreciate your work to safeguard our retirement. I’m writing to ask you to pause execution of the June 2025 authorization of up to $50 million in Israel Bonds until an independent, written analysis is completed and shared with members. That review should compare risk, return, and liquidity to other fixed-income options and explain how this investment satisfies Arkansas’s pecuniary-only and prudent-investor requirements.

Sincerely, [Your name, role, and city]

For APERS members (public employees and retirees):

Write to APERS at APERS@arkansas.gov. You can use or adapt this message:

Dear APERS Trustees,

As an Arkansas public employee and APERS member, I appreciate your work to safeguard our retirement. I’m asking you to pause execution of the 2025 Israel Bonds authorization until you complete and share an independent, written analysis. Please compare risk, return, and liquidity to other fixed-income options and explain how any investment in Israel Bonds meets Arkansas’s pecuniary-only standard and prudent-investor duties.

Sincerely, [Your name, role / agency, and city]

30 Minutes

Contact your legislators

The 2027 Arkansas legislative session is an opportunity to establish stronger pension transparency requirements. Let your state legislators know this issue matters to you.

Text RESIST to 50409 to reach your Arkansas state legislators through Resistbot. Ask them to:

Support the Pension Investment Transparency Act in the 2027 session — issuer-neutral legislation requiring independent analysis before pension funds commit to non-tradable sovereign debt
Require independent credit analysis before large new bond purchases
Ensure that Arkansas’s pecuniary-factors standard applies to purchases and sales alike

You can also find your legislators at arkleg.state.ar.us.

Ongoing

Attend a board meeting

Public comment at pension board meetings is one of the most direct ways to be heard by the people who manage your retirement funds. Board meetings are open to the public under Arkansas law.

ATRS Board Meetings

Location: ATRS Board Room, 1400 W. Third St., Little Rock
Upcoming 2026 dates: Check the ATRS Board Calendar for the current schedule
Public comment: Contact Board Secretary Tammy Porter at tammyp@atrs.gov to sign up ahead of the meeting
Written comment: Email info@atrs.gov with the subject line “Public Comment for [date] Board Meeting”

APERS Board Meetings

Location: APERS Office, 124 W. Capitol Ave., Little Rock
Upcoming 2026 dates: March 11 and June 10 (9:00 a.m.) — check apers.org for updates
Public comment: Contact the Executive Director’s office at APERS@arkansas.gov for sign-up details
Written comment: Email APERS@arkansas.gov with a subject line referencing the board meeting date

Tips for public comment: Keep your statement to 60 seconds. Focus on fiduciary standards — risk, return, liquidity, and process. Ask specific questions: Was an independent credit analysis performed? Why were internal staff recommendations overridden? How does this investment meet the pecuniary-only standard?

Volunteer

We need Arkansans across the state — especially educators and public employees — to help build this campaign. There are roles for every skill level and time commitment:

Research and FOIA — Help analyze public records and file information requests
Outreach — Talk to coworkers, attend community events, connect with local organizations
Communications — Help with writing, social media, and media outreach
Legislative advocacy — Contact and meet with legislators ahead of the 2027 session

Email divestforarfuture@proton.me to get started.