State Public Pensions in Illinois
Illinois public employees belong to one of several separate retirement systems depending on their employer. Survivor and death benefits are set by the member's system and depend on whether the member was active or retired and the payment option elected, so beneficiaries report the death to the specific system that covered the deceased.
Administering agency
Illinois public retirement systems (SERS, TRS, IMRF, SURS)
State Public Pensions in Illinois: key facts
- Main systems
- State Retirement Systems of Illinois (SERS, for state employees), Teachers' Retirement System (TRS), Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF, for local government), and State Universities Retirement System (SURS).
- Retiree death
- 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.
- Pre-retirement death
- 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.
- System contacts
- SERS 217-785-7444; TRS 877-927-5877; IMRF 800-275-4673 (1-800-ASK-IMRF); SURS 800-275-7877.
- Reporting the death
- The systems take a report of death by phone. SURS prefers a phone report so it can gather the necessary information, and will also accept a report by mail or fax; IMRF directs survivors to telephone a Member Services Representative. Each system then sends the survivor the forms and document list for the benefit payable. SURS sends its packet roughly 30-45 days after an annuitant's death, or 45-60 days if the member was active or inactive, and asks for one certified copy of the death certificate; IMRF mails a letter to the person handling the member's affairs requesting a photocopy of the death certificate.
Steps to take when someone dies
- Identify which system covered the deceased: SERS (state employees), TRS (teachers), IMRF (local government), or SURS (universities).
- Report the death to that system so the member's pension payments stop.
- Confirm the beneficiary designation on file and ask which survivor annuity or death benefit is payable.
- File the survivor or death-benefit claim with the documents that system requires, including the copy of the death certificate that system asks for — SURS requests one certified copy, IMRF a photocopy.
Illinois public retirement systems (SERS, TRS, IMRF, SURS)
Visit the agency website →Frequently asked questions
Contact the system that covered the deceased: State Retirement Systems of Illinois (SERS) at 217-785-7444 for state employees, the Teachers' Retirement System (TRS) at 877-927-5877, the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF) at 800-275-4673 for local government, or the State Universities Retirement System (SURS) at 800-275-7877.
It depends on the survivor or payment option the retiree elected at retirement. A surviving spouse or designated beneficiary may receive a continuing monthly survivor annuity or a lump sum, and some options leave no continuing benefit. The covering system confirms what is payable.
The systems may pay a death benefit or survivor annuity to the designated beneficiary or surviving spouse when an active member dies before retirement. Under TRS Tier 1 rules, for example, beneficiaries of an active or inactive member receive a return of the member's retirement contributions plus interest, and 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. The amount depends on the member's service and the rules of SERS, TRS, IMRF, or SURS.
Sources
Data sourced from State Public Pensions in Illinois primary sources (5 pages reviewed). How we research.
Administering agency
Illinois public retirement systems (SERS, TRS, IMRF, SURS)