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.

OverviewWhen someone dies

Public Pensions

Illinois

ilsrs.illinois.gov→

Administering agency

Illinois public retirement systems (SERS, TRS, IMRF, SURS)

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Verified Jul 2026

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, including a request for a certified copy of the death certificate.

When someone dies

Steps after a death in Illinois

4-step process for Illinois public retirement systems (SERS, TRS, IMRF, SURS).

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SimplyTrust Editorial·Updated July 14, 2026

Sources

Data sourced from State Public Pensions in Illinois primary sources (4 pages reviewed). How we research.

Public Pensions

Illinois

ilsrs.illinois.gov→

Administering agency

Illinois public retirement systems (SERS, TRS, IMRF, SURS)

WebsiteVisit website →

Verified Jul 2026

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, including a request for a certified copy of the death certificate.