Frequently Asked Questions
Retirement Counseling Appointments
Basics
What information will I get during a counseling appointment?
Your counselor will discuss many things during your counseling appointment including but not limited to the following:
- Review current account information
- Estimated benefit amounts
- Insurance, if applicable
- Purchases, if applicable
- Death and survivor benefits payable upon your death
- Application process
- What to expect after retirement such as taxes, automatic annual increases, and return-to-work limitations
- Discuss the importance of supplemental savings and the SURS Deferred Compensation Plan (DCP)
When would I be eligible for a counseling appointment?
You must meet all eligibility requirements for retirement within five years of the current date.
How often can I have a counseling appointment?
You are allowed one appointment, or written estimate, every 12 months, as long as you meet the requirements to be eligible for an appointment.
What types of appointments are offered?
SURS offers four types of appointments:
- Office appointments at our Champaign or Naperville offices,
- Phone appointments
- Virtual appointments, or
- Campus appointments, upon your employer’s request
How do I request a retirement counseling appointment?
If you qualify for an appointment, you may request an appointment one of two ways:
- Complete the online estimate request form from the SURS Member homepage under “Retirement Counseling”, or
- Call SURS at 800.275.7877 and request the form be mailed to you
- Once you complete and submit the form to SURS either online from the SURS Member homepage, by fax, or mail, you may then call SURS to schedule the appointment.
What information do I need in order to complete my request for a counseling appointment?
The retirement estimate request form provides information to the retirement counselor to accurately project your anticipated retirement benefits. The estimates prepared for you will only be as good as the information you provide. You will be asked to provide SURS such information as anticipated retirement dates, current salary, future increases, sick leave, vacation, etc.
Why does SURS need my salary, sick leave and vacation?
Don’t you already have that information? In order to accurately calculate your anticipated retirement benefits SURS will need to know your projected salary, unused/unpaid sick leave, and unused vacation These benefits are provided by your employer and SURS does not have access to this information. SURS does receive verification from your employer on your sick leave and vacation balances after you terminate your employment. If you are unsure of your current salary rate, unused/unpaid sick leave balance, or vacation balance, please contact your benefits office.
How many estimates and dates can I request?
Each member is allowed to request two retirement dates, or estimates. These dates must be within five years of the current date.
How long is a counseling appointment?
All counseling appointments are scheduled for 45 minutes.
How do I know if a counselor will be visiting my campus?
You may call SURS at 800.275.7877 to see if your employer has scheduled retirement counselors to visit your campus, or contact your Human Resources Department.
Can I request an estimate without having a counseling appointment?
If you do not want a counseling appointment you may request that SURS send you a written estimate. Written estimates, like counseling appointments, are limited to one request per 12 months. Members may receive one or the other, not both.
What do I need to bring with me for my counseling appointment?
You are not required to bring anything with you to the appointment; however, SURS suggests the following:
- Pen and paper to make notes
- A list of any specific questions you want to ask the counselor
- Verifications – birth, marriage, etc.
May I bring someone with me to my counseling appointment?
Yes, SURS recognizes that planning for retirement can be overwhelming and your benefit not only affects you, but also your family. For these reasons, many members prefer to bring their spouse and/or financial planner to the SURS retirement counseling appointment.
If I have a phone appointment, when will I receive my estimates?
Estimates prepared for a phone appointment will be available on your member homepage at least 24 hours in advance of your scheduled appointment, if requested. SURS will also mail a copy to your home address after your scheduled appointment. If you have reciprocal estimates, they will not be available online, but mailed to your home address following your scheduled appointment.
How far in advance should I request an appointment?
SURS typically schedules appointments at least 2 months in advance. In addition, we also recommend you submit your retirement application at least 60 days prior to your retirement date. Therefore, if you would like to have an appointment before you submit your retirement application we encourage you to contact SURS 4-6 months before you retire.
Can I still have a counseling appointment if I am retiring within the next couple of months?
If your retirement date is within 60 days and you have not already had an appointment within the last 12 months, SURS will try to fit you in within the next week or two. Please call SURS at 800.275.7877.
Can I have a Counseling Appointment if I am no longer contributing to SURS?
If you have terminated your employment and are no longer contributing to SURS you are allowed to have one counseling appointment every 12 months as long as you are eligible to begin your retirement within the next five years. You will not need to complete a request to schedule this appointment. Simply call SURS at 800.275-7877 to request an appointment.
Are there certain dates that are better for retirement?
There may or may not be specific dates that will be better than others for the retirement benefit. It will depend on many things including eligibility, formula calculations, age, contract dates, etc. SURS does not pay partial months of benefits, so we normally will prepare your estimates for the first of a month. Please contact SURS at 800.275.7877 for more information specific to your account.
Still need help? Contact Us!
For any other questions, call SURS at
Dial Toll Free: 800-275-7877
Dial Direct: 217-378-8800