State Public Pensions in Illinois

The systems take a report of death by phone, then send the survivor the forms and document list for the benefit payable.^{1, 2}

SURS prefers a report of death by phone so it can gather the necessary information, and also accepts reports of death by mail or fax.¹

IMRF directs survivors to telephone an IMRF Member Services Representative to report the death.²

The information packet SURS sends after the death is reported includes a request for one certified copy of the member's death certificate.¹

IMRF mails a letter to the person handling the deceased member's affairs that requests a photocopy of the death certificate.²

The continuing benefit depends on the survivor or payment option the member elected at retirement. A surviving spouse or beneficiary may receive a monthly survivor annuity or a lump sum.³

Some payment options leave no continuing benefit, and the covering system confirms what is payable.³

A death benefit or survivor annuity may be payable to the designated beneficiary or surviving spouse, depending on the member's service and the system's rules.³

Under TRS Tier 1 rules, beneficiaries of an active or inactive member receive a return of the member's retirement contributions plus interest.⁴

Under TRS Tier 1 rules, dependent beneficiaries qualify for monthly survivor benefits if the member had 1.5 years of TRS service credit and at least 60 days of creditable service in the 18 months before death.⁴

State employees⁵

Teachers⁴

Local government²

Universities¹