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): June 6, 2006 (June 6, 2006) AMERICAN RETIREMENT CORPORATION -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (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 ---------------------------------------------------- ----------------------- (Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code) (615) 221-2250 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (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) |X| 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 7.01. Regulation FD Disclosure On June 6, 2006, American Retirement Corporation issued a press release announcing the record date and meeting date of a special meeting of shareholders to consider and vote on a proposal to adopt the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of May 12, 2006, by and among Brookdale Senior Living, Inc., Beta Merger Sub Corporation, and the Company, as the merger agreement may be amended from time to time. A copy of the press release is furnished herewith as Exhibit 99.1. On May 26, 2006, the Company and Brookdale filed notification and report forms under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended. If the Company and Brookdale do not receive a request for additional information, the waiting period will expire on June 26, 2006, if not terminated earlier. Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits (d) Exhibits. 99.1 Press Release dated June 6, 2006 2 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: June 6, 2006 3 EXHIBIT INDEX Exhibit Number Description ------ ----------- 99.1 Press Release dated June 6, 2006 4