The Portable Pension Plan is a defined benefit retirement plan that has much in common with the Traditional Pension Plan. It provides a more generous separation refund if you leave the System. However, the provisions for survivor benefits require a reduction to the retirement and death benefits.

For more details see the Portable Pension Plan member guide.

SURS retirement annuities are paid for life. Your eligibility to begin receiving a retirement annuity depends on when you satisfy the vesting and age requirements.

If you first began participation prior to Jan. 1, 2011, you are eligible to receive a retirement annuity when you satisfy any of the following:

• You are at least age 55 and have eight or more years of Illinois service (benefits will be reduced for early retirement if you retire between ages 55 and 60);
• You are at least age 62 and have five or more years of service; or
• At any age when you achieve 30 years of service, provided your covered employment terminated on or after Aug. 2, 2002.

If you first began participation on or after Jan. 1, 2011, you are eligible to receive a retirement annuity when you satisfy any of the following:

• You are at least age 62 and have 10 or more years of Illinois service (benefits will be reduced for early retirement if you retire between ages 62 and 67);
• You are at least age 67 and have 10 or more years of Illinois service (no age reduction).

You must begin receiving your retirement annuity by April 1 following the year you reach age 72 if you are not currently participating in SURS or another system covered by the Illinois Retirement Systems Reciprocal Act.