UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                              WASHINGTON, DC 20549


                                    FORM 8-K


                                 CURRENT REPORT
                     Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
                         Securities Exchange Act of 1934


                Date of report (Date of earliest event reported):
                     February 24, 2006 (February 24, 2006)

                         AMERICAN RETIREMENT CORPORATION
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               (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

           Tennessee                    01-13031                62-1674303
------------------------------      ---------------        ---------------------
 (State or Other Jurisdiction         (Commission            (I.R.S. Employer
       of Incorporation)              File Number)          Identification No.)

            111 Westwood Place, Suite 200
                 Brentwood, Tennessee                             37027
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       (Address of Principal Executive Offices)                 (Zip Code)

                                 (615) 221-2250
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              (Registrant's Telephone Number, Including Area Code)

                                 Not Applicable
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          (Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)

     Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to
simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the
following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

     |_| Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities
Act (17 CFR 230.425)

     |_| Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange
Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

     |_| Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the
Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

     |_| Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the
Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))





Item 2.02. Results of Operations and Financial Condition

     On February 24, 2006, American Retirement Corporation issued a press
release announcing its fourth quarter and full year 2005 earnings results. A
copy of the press release is furnished herewith as Exhibit 99.1.

     Supplemental information relating to American Retirement Corporation's
fourth quarter and full year 2005 results is furnished herewith as Exhibit 99.2.

Item 7.01. Regulation FD Disclosure

     On February 24, 2006, American Retirement Corporation issued a press
release announcing its fourth quarter and full year 2005 earnings results. A
copy of the press release is furnished herewith as Exhibit 99.1.

     Supplemental information relating to American Retirement Corporation's
fourth quarter and full year 2005 results is furnished herewith as Exhibit 99.2.

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits

   (d)  Exhibits.

            99.1    Press Release dated February 24, 2006

            99.2    Supplemental Information



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                                   SIGNATURES

     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, hereunto duly authorized.

                                   AMERICAN RETIREMENT CORPORATION


                                   By: /s/ Bryan D. Richardson
                                       -----------------------------------------
                                       Bryan D. Richardson
                                       Executive Vice President - Finance and
                                       Chief Financial Officer

Date:  February 24, 2006


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                                  EXHIBIT INDEX


     Exhibit
     Number           Description
     ------           -----------

      99.1            Press Release dated February 24, 2006

      99.2            Supplemental Information



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