[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6573150,"mediaKeyId","3112716-8bb597ca17146354405eed281ed8391c","parentId",3112716,"title","SERS outlines disability benefits, survivor annuities and retiree insurance rules","audioSeconds",1199,"startMs",6102640,"endMs",7301700,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3112716-8bb597ca17146354405eed281ed8391c&start=6102&end=7301","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3112716-8bb597ca17146354405eed281ed8391c/thumbnail_6102640.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6573150/Illinois/SERS-outlines-disability-benefits-survivor-annuities-and-retiree-insurance-rules","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6573150-fd9c57d898b480c292fb1de50aa9acd1/orig.mp4?Expires=1770430998&Signature=NkxY51hBXPNNcZi6euZHARmQ1AVxhJZ9yfN4VQPhromNq04QcqnNBZ3lvV3qrzVL67CwHTtJk-~PhC6HX5AcTa-lBj1BOPLVXmS1V~PZtYcyJgamF3sMtcCjkQKslpBDOagn6hL1mz6HVeLAwofWvHyyIhcrFCHPZEr1eSiC3Xs1hlUUDQNlktOSSdirYlwyfzoq6x5TmSY6QjHRFG17IByxk34skcJSKqJB2AsHfJ2YOqxY5bCo~hk8lPpUKy8nUX1BIBtExMnQtYI0RAp3xfd0pVdfFTWb9UQCkFIlxTIOCvDMdYYTlT5wETuiDDQLRH3IngxTOc1PAjK0j-bR3Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","State Employees Retirement System","date","2025-04-24T18:07:08.647Z","article","A State Employees Retirement System representative reviewed disability benefit types, survivor annuities and retiree insurance enrollment during the Countdown to Retirement workshop.

Disability coverage was described in three categories: occupational disability (work‑related injuries, up to 75% of FAC or salary), nonoccupational disability (non work‑related, up to 50% of FAC or salary), and temporary disability (for members whose workers’ compensation claims were denied or stopped). Occupational applicants must file a workers’ compensation claim and can receive benefits in coordination with TTD (temporary total disability); the presenter noted that SERS will offset amounts already paid by workers’ comp so SERS pays the balance up to its benefit limit.

Nonoccupational disability requires an approved medical leave, exhaustion of accumulated sick time, at least 18 months of credited service (SURS and TRS reciprocal time may count toward that threshold), and that the member be absent from work for 30 days or more. The presenter explained that service credit continues to accrue while a member receives disability benefits and that some nonoccupational benefits stop if the member exhausts half of credited service under the program rules.

Survivor benefits for an active member who dies were summarized: a $1,000 lump sum plus a monthly annuity (50% of the member’s pension) and continuation of insurance for eligible survivors. If no qualified survivor exists, the beneficiary receives contributions plus interest or a minimum check (the presenter said survivor payments include a check of $500 or a refund of contributions, whichever is greater, for some retiree cases). The presenter explained how SERS applies Social Security offsets to survivor annuities and repeated that members may elect a 3.825% pension reduction to remove that offset for survivors.

On retiree insurance, the workshop explained eligibility requires being vested and receiving a monthly annuity (Tier 1 vesting minimum of eight years). Premiums are based on years of service: 20 or more years yields free premiums; fewer than 20 years yields a state contribution equal to 5% per year of service applied to the premium. The presenter provided contact information for Central Management Services (CMS) for Medicare coordination and for MetLife on life insurance administration, and reminded members that Medicare enrollment and coordination paperwork should be sent to CMS’s Medicare coordination of benefits unit to avoid claim or premium errors.

The presenter closed with practical enrollment reminders: retiree insurance forms are part of the retirement packet, some changes can be made at retirement or during benefit choice periods, and retirees should verify dependent coverage and Medicare status with CMS.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Countdown to Retirement Tier 1 Webinar","oneSentenceSummary","The workshop covered SERS disability types (occupational, nonoccupational, temporary), survivor benefit structures and retiree insurance eligibility including Medicare coordination and CMS contact information.","taxTitle","State Employees Retirement System, S, Boards and Commissions, Executive, Illinois","taxId",48444,"location","Illinois","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6573153,"SERS explains COLA buyout, level‑income and reversionary options and Social Security offset",4480,1060030,5540990,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3112716-8bb597ca17146354405eed281ed8391c&start=1060&end=5540","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3112716-8bb597ca17146354405eed281ed8391c/thumbnail_1060030.jpg","/articles/6573153/Illinois/SERS-explains-COLA-buyout-levelincome-and-reversionary-options-and-Social-Security-offset","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6573153-3a6bd4cea787083905e3b1eb8e7d8562/orig.mp4?Expires=1770430998&Signature=CVm7YeSDJSbEZnnk6YDi9d7jawxOaju5tgbKdFTvqROFcOoNIyvyUQG6YifVBHAiebpRS4XKdNdgxhCSmZuKOGXmw~tBcI2ak8SQOXl8VhxrXlsy4Mkd~mNL1Xbtphu4hBZa~r9KL7Ed6DTQH67ifEODjwQRvJN5rxrsYqhGTnEj1lw8N0kE05I8AS5KZYulA0T9f1xAXbv4PtUHFP0RPGMF517As6syqwJX3R3ClAYEyYdQJXuoRhKV9tt9QMxZqNlpVQCjr4l3SoKIYGPXFTXnfd6j1PC~NWgWfCgxGRoOWnU10VNyheN4sKjGzvrRrcwLR8LUoQeXOWHPMvauWQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At its Countdown to Retirement workshop, a State Employees Retirement System representative described several retiree election options that affect lifetime income: the COLA buyout, level‑income, reversionary elections, and Social Security offset removal.

The representative said SERS currently offers a COLA (cost‑of‑living adjustment) buyout that allows eligible members retiring before June 1, 2026, to take a lump sum in place of future COLA increases; the presenter cautioned that the buyout has been extended previously and could end if funds are exhausted. The workshop presented an example buyout amount and a break‑even analysis showing when retaining annual compounding COLAs would be financially preferable to taking the lump sum.

Level‑income was explained as an irrevocable election for members who choose to have SERS supplement their pension until Social Security begins. The presenter said members must obtain a Personal Earnings and Benefit Estimate (PEB) statement from the Social Security Administration and that the election is made on the retirement application. Examples at the workshop showed how level‑income increases monthly SERS payouts until the member begins Social Security, after which SERS reduces the pension by the Social Security amount being received.

Reversionary elections — where a retiree permanently reduces their monthly pension to provide a one‑time reversionary payment to a designated dependent — were described as irrevocable and noted that reversionary amounts do not receive COLA increases. The workshop illustrated 100% and 50% reversionary examples and explained the effect on survivor totals.

On survivor offsets, the presenter described the Social Security offset removal: a member may elect to permanently reduce their pension by 3.825% to remove the half‑of‑gain Social Security offset on a survivor annuity. The representative advised members to compare their spouse’s likely Social Security benefits before choosing the removal election because the choice is irreversible and affects lifetime amounts.

Members were told that taking the COLA buyout precludes selecting some other options (for example, the workshop said the buyout is not compatible with level income or certain reversionary elections) and that formal details and individualized estimates are available through SERS member services.","The workshop covered the temporary COLA buyout offer, how level‑income and reversionary elections work, and the Social Security survivor‑offset removal option that reduces a pension by 3.825% to eliminate future survivor offsets.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6573158,"SERS workshop details buying service credit, short‑periods and sick/vacation conversion",2072,1734120,3807110,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3112716-8bb597ca17146354405eed281ed8391c&start=1734&end=3807","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3112716-8bb597ca17146354405eed281ed8391c/thumbnail_1734120.jpg","/articles/6573158/Illinois/SERS-workshop-details-buying-service-credit-shortperiods-and-sickvacation-conversion","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6573158-e11db1ad4e8f9b55216a60bd65ff7c7a/orig.mp4?Expires=1770430998&Signature=BxVa5-XfZWQyjLn4X2yXtt7l23mOLuj5UgzoT5FdTSYPQb~zeohenTPEUoNS6URmnrvUPey3u7pASAVloW7DsgU2DvgTVXGHmFWciBJyRqgJbMkURe87UoASjsaZrF6WoUMUqgYrKnk9cAvxY6gKlyGXM2hFloIRav36NiSX6UqODLr0s9j0Lpb--JoIiKJy-5evCe3b~EPz-kB0Q1sshrEpjT3CY8r4MoAYlzoL2P1nk2n2zBr1l4QVkHdfs1ktT~F8uD9T-dJiBJyqRxUOH4GrhZDpfXIRd865PFyv0HuCujL78dJvudwjAtcqCToPzD8cRw5iZC~DL5ny4Cy5wg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A State Employees Retirement System representative spent part of the Countdown to Retirement workshop explaining optional service purchases, how prior refunds and military service can be bought back, and how unused sick and vacation time can convert to service credit.

The presenter outlined common purchase categories: qualifying periods (tier‑specific six‑month blocks for Tier 1 members), short periods (temporary or seasonal work), military active duty (up to 48 months), refunds previously taken (repayment requires 24 months of reemployment) and leave‑of‑absence purchases (often up to 12 months). The representative noted a statutory interest rate used in offers: purchases typically carry a 6.5% annual interest factor, which can make older qualifying periods costly to buy back.

SERS described payment methods: payroll deduction (pretax) as an irrevocable option, tax‑deferred rollovers from deferred compensation or IRAs, post‑tax lump sums, and post‑tax installment agreements. Payroll deductions become irrevocable unless the member retires before the payroll plan is paid off, in which case the remaining balance must be paid at retirement.

The workshop demonstrated the sick/vacation conversion chart used to translate days into months of service credit and walked through an example where a combination of paid and unpaid sick time produced both paid service months (subject to member contribution withholding from the agency lump sum) and free months (unpaid days that convert to service). The presenter recommended saving at least 11 sick and 11 vacation days because, together, those 22 days equate to two months of service credit under the conversion chart.

Members were reminded to submit a request for a cost estimate for optional service purchases through the member services account; SERS accounting prepares the calculation and returns a payment offer. The presenter advised that buying qualifying periods often pays back in a few years in estimated increased monthly benefit, but emphasized members should review the SERS cost estimate before deciding.","SERS explained optional service purchase types, repayment rules for refunds, payment options, and the conversion chart used to turn unused sick and vacation time into service credit.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6573164,"SERS workshop explains who can retire and how pensions are calculated",2762,41370,2803550,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3112716-8bb597ca17146354405eed281ed8391c&start=41&end=2803","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3112716-8bb597ca17146354405eed281ed8391c/thumbnail_41370.jpg","/articles/6573164/Illinois/SERS-workshop-explains-who-can-retire-and-how-pensions-are-calculated","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6573164-807be066796c085fe817ea4b28b5260a/orig.mp4?Expires=1770430998&Signature=R4tsyLLZHEfAtgnDPxxkB0PuB~l7L9qo1UBoSAROrN21gyvimNt8aMUPn06hI8Nq~mfn1jvFLojLBQ0gwT6dAAWxYTcdJmXGaOsi5mudSztA-IGmirGC792AQ4o4vjsyQnImr~0DdvPlO12pQPX2TXCWmdjD~1Rs-YQfMFqR6qgKus7Xefd31KhPZNjLgqdANFLBNjffQDm~nb9jjNVpRifgepe8oQ4M1OoKjqQKmocsz6QgT5dxTsTvBgcoJWTF7kMGO3DnJYNU9NDBgnj6N--h8fHVYYOIAEaPABhkg41pGU4HkPdg~rZHuoeSfHU0Eiz5ot2c9Q22wz2G3sfO7g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At a State Employees Retirement System (SERS) “Countdown to Retirement” workshop, a SERS representative walked members through who qualifies for retirement under Tier 1 rules and how the system calculates monthly pensions.

The representative said the most common pathways to an unreduced Tier 1 pension are: age 60 with at least eight years of credited service; meeting the “rule of 85” (age plus years of service equal at least 85); or having 35 years of service at any age. For alternative-formula members (for example some sworn officers), eligibility generally requires age 50 with 25 years of alternative service or age 55 with at least 20 years.

SERS explained how final average compensation (FAC) is computed and used. FAC is the average of the highest consecutive 48 months within the last 120 months of service (the highest contiguous four years), and that percentage is multiplied by a formula factor to produce the pension. The regular (coordinated) formula shown at the workshop multiplies years of service by 1.67%, while the alternative formula uses 2.5% for those eligible. The presenter gave a worked example: a member with 20 years under the regular formula would receive 20 years × 1.67% = 33.4% of FAC as the pension factor.

The representative reviewed common variations and clarifications: coordinated employees (those who also pay Social Security) have different contribution rates than non‑coordinated employees; alternative‑formula members sometimes have the higher of FAC or salary used for the calculation when rules permit; reciprocal time from other public systems can be combined for eligibility but does not always change which formula applies. The presenter emphasized that FAC months must be consecutive (no “cherry‑picking” noncontiguous high months).

The workshop included a step‑by‑step example showing the FAC calculation (highest consecutive 48 months added and divided by 48) and an estimate of a sample projected monthly pension. Attendees were reminded that pension estimates on the member services site are illustrative only and do not guarantee an actual benefit amount.

Less critical details covered near the end of the session included procedural reminders: members must file a written resignation with their agency; the effective retirement date is the first of the month following resignation; and SERS typically issues the first pension payment 8 to 12 weeks after the retirement date, with the first payment retroactive to the effective date.

The presentation directed members with specific eligibility or calculation questions to their retirement coordinator via the member services account or to SERS call center resources.","A State Employees Retirement System representative outlined Tier 1 eligibility, final average compensation rules and how years-of-service and formula percentages determine monthly pensions.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

SERS outlines disability benefits, survivor annuities and retiree insurance rules

SERS explains COLA buyout, level‑income and reversionary options and Social Security offset

SERS workshop details buying service credit, short‑periods and sick/vacation conversion

SERS workshop explains who can retire and how pensions are calculated