State Universities Retirement System of Illinois (SURS) is a government administration organization that serves 61 employers in Illinois, including state universities, community colleges, and state agencies. With offices in Champaign and Naperville, SURS employs approximately 157 people who provide benefit services to over 240,000 members throughout the world. The company's main office is located at 1901 Fox Drive, Champaign, Illinois 61820, US.
Established as a vital component of the state's higher education system, SURS has a mission to secure and deliver the retirement benefits promised to its members. The organization is dedicated to administering retirement, disability, death, and survivor benefits for its members and their beneficiaries. As a leading provider of public employee retirement benefits, SURS plays a crucial role in attracting and retaining highly qualified employees to the Illinois higher education community.
One of the key aspects of SURS is its commitment to providing excellent customer service. The organization places a strong emphasis on maintaining open lines of communication with its members, ensuring that they have access to the information and resources they need to make informed decisions about their retirement benefits. To that end, SURS offers a wide range of resources and services, including retirement counseling, webinars, and educational materials, as well as online tools such as benefit calculators and application forms.
In addition to its comprehensive benefits offerings, SURS is also responsible for the prudent investment of its members' retirement funds. The organization adheres to a strict set of investment principles and guidelines, which are designed to achieve long-term growth while minimizing risk. By employing a diversified investment strategy, SURS seeks to generate a stable revenue stream that will enable it to fulfill its obligations to current and future retirees.
As a government administration organization, SURS is governed by a board of trustees, which is responsible for setting policy, overseeing operations, and ensuring that the organization remains financially sound. The board is comprised of representatives from various stakeholder groups, including university administrators, faculty, and staff, as well as members of the general public. This diverse composition ensures that the interests of all SURS members are fairly represented in the decision-making process.
Overall, the State Universities Retirement System of Illinois plays a crucial role in supporting the state's higher education institutions and their employees. By providing comprehensive retirement benefits and expert investment management, SURS helps to attract and retain the talented professionals who make Illinois' universities and colleges among the best in the nation.