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Home→Agencies→Public Pensions→Illinois→When someone dies

State Public Pensions in Illinois: when someone dies

A 4-step process for Illinois public retirement systems (SERS, TRS, IMRF, SURS) after a death in Illinois.

OverviewWhen someone dies

Public Pensions

Illinois

ilsrs.illinois.gov→

Administering agency

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

WebsiteVisit website →
Verified May 2026

Steps to take

  1. Identify which system covered the deceased: SERS (state employees), TRS (teachers), IMRF (local government), or SURS (universities).
  2. Report the death to that system so the member's pension payments stop.
  3. Confirm the beneficiary designation on file and ask which survivor annuity or death benefit is payable.
  4. File the survivor or death-benefit claim with the documents that system requires, including a certified death certificate.

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 1-877-927-5877, the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF) at 1-800-275-4673 for local government, or the State Universities Retirement System (SURS) at 1-800-275-7877.

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. The amount depends on the member's service and the rules of SERS, TRS, IMRF, or SURS.

Public Pensions

Illinois

ilsrs.illinois.gov→

Administering agency

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

WebsiteVisit website →
Verified May 2026