The SURS Traditional Pension Plan is the historical SURS defined benefit retirement plan. It was the only SURS plan available until 1998. It provides lifetime retirement benefits and a survivor benefit at no additional cost. However, the separation refund feature is not as generous as the Portable Pension Plan.

The Traditional Pension Plan is also the default plan assigned to members who fail to choose a plan within six months of certification.

For details see the Traditional 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.