Teachers’ Retirement System – TRS
The Teachers’ Retirement System of the State of Illinois (TRS) was created by the Illinois General Assembly in 1939 for the purpose of providing retirement annuities, survivors and disability benefits for PK-12 public school educators outside of the City of Chicago.
TRS contributions and benefits have fluctuated over the years. Prior to July 1, 1933, contributions were based on a flat dollar amount per year. The contribution rate for the first 10 years of service were $5/year, the next 5 years were $10/year and the next 10 years were $30/year. Current covered employee contributions are 9% of creditable earnings salary.
Employees are currently divided into either Tier I or Tier II based on their hire dates. Tier I members are public educators that began participation in an Illinois public pension plan prior to January 1, 2011. Tier II members are public educators that started employment in a position covered by an Illinois public pension plan on or after January 1, 2011.
The Tier status of an employee impacts retirement eligibility:
- TRS allows for an unreduced retirement annuity with the following:
- Age 55 with 35 years of service
- Age 60 with 10 years of service
- Age 62 with 5 years of service
- TRS Tier 2 requires age 67 and 10 years of service
- Tier 2 does allow for a permanently reduced annuity between the ages of 62-67 with 10 years of service. The reduction is equal to 6% a year for each year under the age of 67.
For more information on TRS Tier I and II requirements, please see Tier I Member Guide or Tier II Member Guide. For more information related to TRS retirees, see TRS Retired.
Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund – IMRF
The Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF) was created by the Illinois General Assembly in 1939 for the purpose of providing for the payment of retirement, death, and disability benefits for ESP employees of local governments and school districts outside of the City of Chicago and Cook County.
Unlike TRS, IMRF contributions vary across the state as IMRF is a local program. Each individual employer contributes to an account specific to their employees.
Employees are currently divided into either Tier I or Tier II based on their hire dates. Tier I members are public educators that began participation in an Illinois public pension plan prior to January 1, 2011. Tier II members are public educators that started employment in a position covered by an Illinois public pension plan on or after January 1, 2011.
State Universities Retirement System – SURS
The State Universities Retirement System (SURS) was created in 1941, originally as the benefits administrator for University of Illinois, later growing to include more than 60 universities, colleges and affiliated agencies in the state.Covered SURS members must choose one of three retirement plans: the Traditional Benefit Package, the Portable Benefit Package, or the Self-Managed Plan. This is a permanent choice and cannot be changed.Employees are currently divided into either Tier I or Tier II based on their hire dates. Tier I members are public educators that began participation in an Illinois public pension plan prior to January 1, 2011. Tier II members are public educators that started employment in a position covered by an Illinois public pension plan on or after January 1, 2011.
