2026 Health Insurance Rates, Benefits and ASEA Priorities

2026 Rates for the Arkansas State Employees Health Insurance Program Mostly Steady

The Arkansas Legislative Council has approved the rates for active and retired state employees in the State Health Insurance Program. Employee Benefits Division (EBD) will send final rates to plan members prior to open enrollment this fall. See below for the proposed contribution rates (what you will pay). Hint: it's over all good news, with only a few modest increases.

ASEA Focus for 2026 and 2027

The Annual Business Meeting was held on August 16, 2025. Board members representing both active and retired state employees discussed many ideas before settling on the following to become part of our strategic goals for 2026 and 2027.

Active Employees

• Helping Tenured Employees.

• Career Service Payments - adding a 5-year tier, requesting an increase for all tiers, and researching if these payments can be added to the retirement benefit calculation.

• Increasing Leave Payout Upon Retirement.

Retirees

• Finding Ways to Help Retirees Offset Medical and Pharmacy Expenses.

• Lowering State Tax Rate on Retirement Income.

• Addressing the Social Security Offset.

Your Feedback Wanted

ASEA has heard a lot of feedback from members about the new pay plan, especially as the changes are implemented. If you have specific feedback about the changes to your position/ within your agency that ASEA can address, please give us a call or send an email to tgray@aseaar.org.

Watch for more details on these and other topics in your next ASEA News, coming this fall.