SURS Retirement
Eligible Illinois State University employees will pay into the State Universities Retirement System (SURS). SURS provides retirement, disability, death, and survivor benefits to eligible SURS participants and annuitants. Contributions to SURS are mandatory.
- SURS retirement plans
- SURS phone number: 1-800-275-7877
Social Security
A prospective employee should be aware that since Illinois State University does not participate in the retirement portion of Social Security, receipt of a SURS annuity may reduce, or eliminate entirely, his or her Social Security benefit at retirement under the Windfall Elimination Provision or the Government Pension Offset. If you receive an annual Social Security Statement, it does not take either of these provisions into account.
Calculator
The Social Security Administration has developed a program that will estimate your Social Security benefit after the Windfall Elimination Provision has been taken into account.
- Basic calculator of Social Security benefit (online)
- Detailed calculator of Social Security benefit (download)
Under the Government Pension Offset, a Social Security benefit you receive as a result of your spouse's employment will be reduced by 2/3 of your SURS benefit. This may eliminate your spousal benefit entirely, but you may still be eligible for Medicare.
Visa Status
Non-US citizens may not be eligible to participate in SURS if they hold a certain visa and have not yet established residency status for tax purposes.
- If you hold an F-1 or J-1 visa, you are encouraged to contact Brenda Banwart in the Comptroller's Office at (309) 438-3106 for assistance in determining your eligibility.
