News Features
In Memory of SURS Trustee Scott Weisbenner
The State Universities Retirement System's board of trustees and staff were saddened to learn of Trustee Scott Weisbenner’s passing on Sept. 29. He was elected to serve as an active-member trustee on May 3, 2021. His term began in July 2021. As a William G. Karnes...
SURS Hires Two Emerging Markets Equity Managers
Champaign, IL – The State Universities Retirement System Board of Trustees on Sept. 16 voted to retain Nipun Capital and William Blair for Emerging Market Equity mandates with a 50/50 allocation of assets between the two managers, subject to successful completion of...
Retiree Healthcare Update
The Department of Central Management Services (CMS) has recently announced that open enrollment for the state of Illinois Total Retiree Advantage Illinois (TRAIL) Medicare plans will be Nov. 1- Nov. 30, 2022. Aetna PPO will be the only insurance carrier offered under...
SURS Restructured Portfolio Provides Defense Against FY 2022 Market Volatility
The State Universities Retirement System (SURS) today announced its investment portfolio returned -1.4%, net of fees, for fiscal year 2022, significantly outpacing the policy benchmark return of - 4.9%. When compared to a universe of other large public funds, the SURS...
SURS Commits $225 Million to Real Assets Portfolio, Retains Long-Volatility/Tail Risk Manager, Reelects Board Officers
Champaign, IL – The State Universities Retirement System Board of Trustees on June 3 added to the System’s real assets investments by committing $225 million to Clarion Lion Properties Fund, subject to successful contract negotiations. This is a new fund commitment...
Benefit Choice Period for Health Insurance Changes is May 1 – 31, 2022
The FY 2023 Benefit Choice Period to make health insurance changes is May 1 through May 31, 2022. This affects SURS active members as well as annuitants and survivors not enrolled in the Medicare Advantage 'TRAIL' Program. This is the only time of the year, other than...
SURS Spring Newsletter Now Available
Read about our new executive director, cybersecurity upgrades, tax forms, educational webinars, investments, Money Purchase Factor change and more. https://surs.org/advocate
SURS Chair Issues Statements on Russian Holdings and Additional Pension Contribution; Board Commits $75M to Tech and Science Fund
Champaign, IL – Following the SURS’ Board of Trustees meeting on March 11, Chairperson John Atkinson released the following statement regarding Gov. Pritzker’s call for the state pension funds to take all steps within their authority to explore divestment from Russian...
Governor Proposes Supplemental Pension Payment to Reduce Long-Term Liabilities, Renews Promise to Protect Retiree Benefits
Champaign, IL - Gov. Pritzker on Wednesday introduced his fiscal year 2023 budget that includes the full certified state contribution to the State Universities Retirement System (SURS) of $2,118,567,000. To reduce the unfunded liabilities of the five state-funded...
IBHE Recommends Funding Increases to Improve Equity
The Illinois Board of Higher Education (IBHE), the board that oversees the needs and guides the policies of the State Universities Retirement System’s (SURS) 61 employers, on Monday approved a 7% increase to their FY 23 budget to further fund their equity-driven...