Arkansas Code Title 24. Retirement and Pensions § 24-7-730. Required distributions

(a)(1)(A) Notwithstanding the provisions of this subchapter regarding the required dates of distribution of benefits under the Arkansas Teacher Retirement System to former members, the distribution of a former member's benefits under the system shall in any event be made or begun by April 1 of the calendar year following the latter of the calendar year in which the member retires or the calendar year in which the member attains the applicable age.

(B) The applicable age for a member is as follows:

(2)(A) If the member dies before the distribution of benefits under the system commences, the entire death benefit, if any, due as a result of the member's death shall be distributed no later than five (5) years after the member's death except to the extent that a written election is made to receive distributions in accordance with subdivision (b)(2)(B) or (C) of this section.

(B) If any portion of the member's benefit is payable to a designated beneficiary, distributions shall be made in substantially equal installments over the life or life expectancy of the designated beneficiary commencing no later than one (1) year after the member's death.

(D) Notwithstanding the provisions of this subchapter, all distributions of benefits under the system shall comply with the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code, 26 U.S.C. 401(a)(9) and the regulations under the Internal Revenue Code, including United States Treasury Regulation, 26 C.F.R. § 1.401(a)(9)-2 and those provisions shall override any distribution options in this chapter that are inconsistent with section 401(a)(9) of the Internal Revenue Code, 26 U.S.C. 401(a)(9).