Family Changes

SURS members see a number of family changes throughout their careers. Below you will find the information regarding common changes in family.

Resources

Birth/Adoption

If you have a new child by birth, adoption or marriage, you may wish to update your beneficiaries.
To obtain the Beneficiary Designation Form:

  • Online:  The form is available on the SURS Member Website homepage.
  • Dial Toll Free:  800-275-7877
  • Dial Direct:  217-378-8800

If you are a benefit recipient who is receiving health insurance benefits, you may wish to add your new child as a dependent on your health insurance.

  • Online:  MyBenefits Service Center administered by the State of Illinois – powered by LifeWorks.
  • Dial Toll Free: 1-844-251-1777 MyBenefits Service Center: Monday – Friday 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. CST.
  • TTY Toll Free: 1-844-251-1778

If you are an annuitant with State of Illinois insurance, you may also need to update your life insurance beneficiaries through MetLife.  To obtain the required paperwork:

Divorce

If you get divorced, you may need to update your beneficiaries.  Please note that if your former spouse/civil union partner was listed as one of your beneficiaries and you wish to leave him/her as a beneficiary, you must re-designate him/her as a beneficiary after the date of the divorce.

To obtain the Beneficiary Designation Form:

  • Online:  The form is available on the SURS Member Website homepage. Go to www.surs.org and click on Member Login.
  • Dial Toll Free:  800-275-7877
  • Dial Direct:  217-378-8800

If your address changes, you may submit your address change in writing or online through your Member Website homepage.

If you are a benefit recipient who is receiving health insurance benefits, and your spouse/civil union partner is a dependent on your health insurance, you must remove him/her as a dependent.  Your former dependent’s insurance termination will be effective the day the divorce is finalized in the courts.

  • Online:  MyBenefits Service Center administered by the State of Illinois – powered by LifeWorks.
  • Dial Toll Free: 1-844-251-1777 MyBenefits Service Center: Monday – Friday 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. CST.
  • TTY Toll Free: 1-844-251-1778

If you are a State of Illinois annuitant, you may also need to update your life insurance beneficiary(ies) through MetLife.

To obtain the MetLife Beneficiary Designation Form:

If your retirement benefits are being considered for possible division in divorce proceedings, please refer to the information regarding Qualified Illinois Domestic Relations Orders (QILDRO).

Please note – only “SURS approved” QILDRO forms may be submitted. Approved forms should include the “watermark” that prints at the bottom of the page when completed.

Click here to view the QILDRO Brochure.

Marriage/Civil Union

If you enter into marriage or a civil union, you may need to update your beneficiaries.

To obtain the Beneficiary Designation Form:

  • Online:  The form is also available on the SURS Member Website homepage. Go to www.surs.org and click on Member Login.
  • Dial Toll Free:  800-275-7877
  • Dial Direct:  217-378-8800

If your address changes, you may submit your address change in writing or online through your Member Website homepage.

If you are a Retirement Savings Plan annuitant, you must contact your annuity provider, Principal or TIAA.

Principal: [email protected]
TIAA: www.tiaa.org

If you are a benefit recipient who is receiving health insurance benefits, you may wish to add your spouse/civil union partner as a dependent on your health insurance.

  • Online:  MyBenefits Service Center administered by the State of Illinois – powered by LifeWorks.
  • Dial Toll Free: 1-844-251-1777 MyBenefits Service Center: Monday – Friday 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. CST.
  • TTY Toll Free: 1-844-251-1778

If you are a State of Illinois annuitant, you may also need to update your life insurance beneficiaries through MetLife.

To obtain the MetLife Insurance Beneficiary Designation Form:

Moving

It is important that you keep your address current with SURS so you continue to receive correspondence from our office.  If your address changes, you may submit your address change in writing or online through your Member Website homepage if you are not a benefit recipient.

If you are a Retirement Savings Plan annuitant, you must contact your annuity provider, Principal or TIAA.

Principal: [email protected]
TIAA: www.tiaa.org

If you have seasonal addresses, you should provide SURS with both addresses as well as an effective date for each address.  SURS will automatically update your address based upon the effective dates you provide.

If you are a benefit recipient who is receiving health insurance benefits, and you are moving out of the coverage area for your health insurance carrier, you will need to change carriers.

  • Online:  MyBenefits Service Center administered by the State of Illinois – powered by LifeWorks.
  • Dial Toll Free: 1-844-251-1777 MyBenefits Service Center: Monday – Friday 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. CST.
  • TTY Toll Free: 1-844-251-1778