WHAT IS SUAA?

The State Universities Annuitants Association is:

• 10,172 current and future retirees and others from Illinois public universities and community colleges.
• A not-for-profit organization created in 1971.

WHAT ARE SUAA'S GOALS?

Continue monitoring:

• State funding for the SURS pension program and the State Health Insurance Plan.
• Appropriation of mandated State contributions.
• Compounding of annual increases for both annuitants and survivors.
• All other current benefits

Improve:

• Benefits for low-income annuitants
• Retirement benefits for current annuitants with appropriate funding.
• Group health insurance for community college retirees, their dependents, and their survivors.

HOW ARE SUAA'S GOALS ACHIEVED?

Day to day operations:

• A professional Executive Director and Administrative Assistant.
• A Central Office in Springfield
• Prudent use of membership dues.

Communications:

• Newsletters to members.
• Reports of SUAA and SURS meetings.
• Information exchanges.
• Discussions with state officials.
• Reports to chapters.
• Website

Lobbying efforts:

• Support grassroots lobbying by chapters.
• Campaign cooperatively with other retiree groups.
• Maintain close relationships with legislators.
• Makes SUAA's positions clear.
• Monitor significant pension bills

WHAT HAS SUAA ACHIEVED FOR ITS MEMBERS?

The State Universities Retirement System began in 1941. As employees retired under the System, the features were tested and weaknesses addressed.

Prior to 1988:

Annuitants:

• Annual increase established at 1.5%, raised to 2%, then 3%.
• One-time annuity increases of $1 per year of service, and 8 cents per year of service times the number of years elapsed since annuity began.

Survivors:

• Annuity established at 30% of retiree's base annuity, raised to 50%.
• Survivor permitted to remarry at age 55 without loss of annuity.
• One-time annuity increases of 1% per year of service times years elapsed since survivor's benefit began, and $1 per year elapsed since benefit began.

1989

For 48 years the retirement systems were not fully funded. The unfunded liability was over $2 billion.

• A 40-year plan for funding of the retirement systems became law but funds were never appropriated.
• Survivors were included in 3% annual annuity increases.
• 3% increase to be compounded for both annuitants and survivors.

1994

• A 50-year plan for funding retirement systems with provision for continuing appropriation became law.

1996

• Minimum annuity for annuitants was increased from $15 to $25 per year up to 30 years of service (from $450 to $750 per month).

1997

• Health insurance coverage for community college retirees and survivors.

2002

• Increased the survivor annuity to 70% of the minimum annunity, a permanent 30 and out, removed remarriage before age 55 penalty.

WHAT ARE SUAA'S CURRENT PRIORITIES?

• Maintain ALL current benefits
• Adjust annuity payments to compensate for loss of Purchasing Power of greater than 20% due to inflation
• Premium subsidy for dependents covered under the community college group health insurance plan
• Raise SURS death benefit from $1000 to $5000
• Give all annuitants and survivors an increase in benefits (25¢ × years of service × years retired)

WHO ARE SUAA MEMBERS?

There are 44 local SUAA chapters and membership in SUAA is open to:

• Retirees from public universities and community colleges in Illinois and other SURS agencies.
• Spouses and survivors of retirees.
• Academic professionals, administrators, faculty, and all support staff.

OTHER BENEFITS TO MEMBERS

The SUAA Central Office staff, under the direction of the Executive Committee, provides:

• A registered lobbyist recognized by the Governor and State legislators as the advocate for SURS retirees.
• Coordination of the strong voice of SUAA's local chapters representing 36,000 annuitants as well as employees who will become annuitants.
• A communication network of newsletters, legislative bulletins, a website, workshops and meetings.
• Positive relationships with SURS, the Illinois Retirees Legislative Advisory Council (IRLAC), and other professional organizations with common concerns about annuitants' benefits.
• Information for spouses of annuitants who indirectly receive economic benefits and, later, may receive a survivor's annuity and insurance.

Local chapter meetings and newsletters may provide:

• Reports from SUAA meetings.
• Information about state and local issues.
• Presentations on timely issues.
• Guest speakers
• Social and recreational events and special group activities.
• News of colleagues and campus events.
• Directory of chapter members
• Volunteer opportunities
• Opportunities to be involved and to contribute.

HOW DOES SUAA WORK?

A Board of Directors, representing local chapters, meets three times a year to address policies and concerns of the membership. Meetings are open to all members.

An Executive Committee of three officers and four at-large members initiates direction for SUAA and the Executive Director based, in part, on issues raised and preferences expressed by the Board of Directors.

Chapters are the foundation of SUAA. Each chapter elects local officers including representatives to the state organization. Chapters determine local dues (typically $2 to $10) and collect for both the chapter and SUAA ($21). The Association is funded almost entirely by membership dues.

The success of SUAA is attributable to volunteers from the membership who contribute time and energy to achieve SUAA's goals.

HOW TO JOIN SUAA

Eligibility: Membership in SUAA is open to all members of the State Universities Retirement System (SURS) including current faculty-staff, annuitants and their spouses and survivors.

Membership is held through the local chapter. You may affiliate with any existing chapter.

To Join: Contact your campus chapter or call the SUAA Central Office for more information at toll-free 888/547-8473. Click here for downloadable membership forms.

WHAT IS THE LOCAL WIU CHAPTER OF SUAA?

The Western Illinois University Chapter (WIU-SUAA) was established on October 9, 1981. The purpose of the chapter is to:

• Promote the individual and collective interests and welfare of annuitants and prospective annuitants.
• Promote discussion with and service to the university.
• Improve communications between the university and its retirees.
• Provide social events for its members.
• Promote discussion and participation with other annuitant organizations in the State of Illinois.
• Actively pursue communications with legislators on issues relative to annuitants' concerns.