SERS streamlines member services with new online retirement tools

The State Employees Retirement System (SERS) of Illinois held a Countdown to Retirement Tier 1 Webinar on April 24, 2025, aimed at providing essential information to members approaching retirement. The meeting focused on key aspects of retirement benefits, member services, and the importance of understanding the SERS website.

The session began with an introduction to general contact resources for SERS, including the official website (srs.illinois.gov), a call center number, and an email address for inquiries. Participants were informed about the definition of an annuity, which is a monthly pension payment for a member's lifetime, and the criteria for Tier 1 membership, which applies to individuals who joined SERS before December 30, 2010. It was emphasized that Tier 1 members must have at least eight years of service credit to be vested and eligible for retirement benefits.

The webinar then transitioned to a detailed overview of the SERS website, highlighting various member services available online. Attendees were guided through the website's layout, including icons for member services login, support, and retirement calculators. Specific tools such as the Social Security benefit estimate calculator and service credit calculator were showcased, providing members with resources to estimate their retirement benefits accurately.

Further discussion included instructions for accessing member services accounts, with a focus on the importance of using a personal email address for account registration, as members will no longer have access to work email addresses post-retirement. The session concluded with a walkthrough of the member services account interface, detailing the various tabs available for managing personal information, beneficiaries, and retirement calculations.

Overall, the webinar served as a comprehensive guide for Tier 1 members, equipping them with the necessary tools and knowledge to navigate their retirement planning effectively. Participants were encouraged to utilize the resources available on the SERS website to ensure a smooth transition into retirement.