University of Illinois System
Virtual Retirement Planning Conference
Tuesday, November 10, 2026
Conference Overview
The Virtual Retirement Planning Conference provides University of Illinois System employees with valuable information and resources to help prepare for retirement. Sessions include retirement benefits, insurance, Social Security, and retirement planning resources.
Agenda
8:30 AM – 9:15 AM
Preparing for Retirement: Steps, Timeline, and Benefits
Choose the Human Resources session that corresponds with your university or unit. Each session covers retirement, required actions, and notifications required prior to your last day with the University. Information includes health insurance transition, COBRA information, and retirement resources.
Illinois HR & UPB
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
UIC HR & UPB
University of Illinois Chicago
UIS HR & UPB
University of Illinois Springfield
System HR & UPB
University of Illinois System
9:15 AM – 9:30 AM
Break
9:30 AM – 10:00 AM
SUAA: Protecting Your SURS Benefits
SUAA advocates on behalf of all faculty and staff of public universities and community colleges — both retired and current employees — their spouses and survivors, who are participants and beneficiaries of the State Universities Retirement System.
10:00 AM – 10:15 AM
Break
10:15 AM – 12:15 PM
Track A
Understanding Your SURS Benefits
Tier I Traditional & Portable
Are you contemplating retirement? As you near this important milestone, it is crucial to fully understand your SURS benefits. This session is designed for all Tier I members in the Traditional and Portable plans.
Topics include retirement eligibility, service credit and retirement, benefit calculations, death and survivor benefits, insurance eligibility, retirement counseling sessions, applying for retirement and the application process, supplemental savings, available resources including the benefit estimator, and more.
Track B
Understanding Your SURS Benefits
Retirement Savings Plan, (Tier I/Tier II) (RSP formerly Self-Managed Plan (SMP))
Are you contemplating retirement? As you near this important milestone, it is crucial to fully understand your SURS benefits. This session is designed for all members in the Retirement Savings Plan, formerly the Self-Managed Plan.
Topics include financial distribution options at retirement, types of annuities, insurance eligibility, retirement counseling sessions, applying for retirement and the application process, timing of payments, supplemental savings, available resources including retirement planning tools, and more.
12:15 PM – 12:45 PM
Lunch Break
12:45 PM – 1:30 PM
SURS: State Insurance Benefits at Retirement
This session will provide a brief overview of the State of Illinois Insurance Program for those preparing for retirement.
Topics include responsibilities, eligibility, types of coverage, enrollment process, premiums, effective date, making changes, Medicare, and additional resources available.
1:30 PM – 1:45 PM
Break
1:45 PM – 3:15 PM
Understanding Social Security
Topics include advantages of having a my Social Security account, options and factors to consider when choosing your retirement benefit start date, impact of working while receiving benefits, spousal benefits, children’s benefits, survivor benefits, parts of Medicare, and enrollment periods for Part B.