A journal foil bearing system includes a retainer arrangement with an internal groove extending in a depth direction from the bore of the housing. The internal groove has a first portion and a second portion. The first portion extends further in the depth direction than the second portion and includes a seat surface of the internal groove. The retainer arrangement additionally includes a first top foil end and a second top foil end of the top foil member. The first top foil end is configured to abut the second top foil end to arch-bind the at least one top foil within the bearing system. The first top foil end is received in the first portion of the internal groove and is configured to seat against the seat surface to limit rotation of the first top foil end about the axis. The second top foil end is received in the second portion of the internal groove.