University of Illinois employees participate in one of the three retirement plan options offered by the State Univesities Retirement System (SURS).

The state of Illinois has not adequately funded public pensions over the last decade. As of the end of FY11, total unfunded liability for the 5 State public pension systems was $83.1 billion. The SURS portion of the liability was $17.6 billion.

Exacerbated by the economic downturn that began in 2008, the state is expected to end FY12 with more than $8.5 billion in unpaid bills.

University statements

• President-designate Easter's legislative and pension update message to the university community, May 22
• President Hogan and President-designate Easter's legislative update message to the university community, May 15
• President Hogan and President-designate Easter's message regarding the letter from presidents and chancellors of public universities to Gov Quinn and legislative leaders, May 4
• President-designate Easter's statement about Gov. Quinn's pension proposal, April 23
• President Hogan's message about seeking a solution to pension concerns, including his op-ed in the Chicago Sun-Times, Nov 1, 2011

University information

• U of I expert on taxation and retirement issues Richard L. Kaplan talks about state-retiree health insurance, May 15
• University Senates Conference pension resolution, April 30
• Human Resources summary page with links to additional legislative information
• University financial summary page

Related information

• Gov. Quinn's proposal, April 20
• Letter to Gov. Quinn and legislative leaders from presidents of state universities in Illinois, May 3
• SURS home page
• SURS fact sheet on governor's proposal, April 23
• State Universities Annuitants Association (SUAA) home page
• Institute of Government and Public Affairs proposal

May 7, 2012