Press Releases
The latest press releases from SURS. For press inquiries, click here.
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...
SURS Commits $200 Million to Real Assets Portfolio, Approves Long Volatility/Tail Risk Managers
Champaign, IL – The State Universities Retirement System Board of Trustees on April 21 added to the System’s real assets investments by committing $100 million to the IFM Global Infrastructure Fund (GIF), $50 million to Crow Holdings Realty Partners X and $50 million...
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...
SURS Board Certifies FY 2023 State Contribution and Effective Rate of Interest, Retains Securities Lender
Champaign, IL – The State Universities Retirement System (SURS) Board of Trustees on Dec. 3 certified the System’s fiscal year 2023 state contribution at $2,118,567,000, an increase of $17,288,000 from FY 2022. Each year, an independent actuary retained by SURS...
SURS Board of Trustees Appoints New Director
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – The State Universities Retirement System (SURS) Board of Trustees has named Interim Executive Director and Chief Benefits Officer Suzanne Mayer as the new executive director of the state pension fund. SURS oversees $28.1 billion in defined benefit...
SURS Board Approves $150 Million in Real Asset Commitments
Champaign, IL – The State Universities Retirement System (SURS) Board of Trustees on Sept. 10 voted to commit $100 million to Pantheon Global Infrastructure Fund IV and $50 million to Blackstone Real Estate Partners Asia Fund III, subject to successful contract...
SURS Lowers Assumed Rate to 6.5%, Assigns Millions to Real Assets Funds, Hires Executive Search Firm
Champaign, IL – The State Universities Retirement System (SURS) Board of Trustees on June 4 voted to decrease their long-term investment return assumption rate from 6.75% to 6.5%, effective June 30. The rate was last reduced in June 2018 from 7.25% to 6.75%. The...