University of Illinois System

Retirement and Investment Plan Help

SURS

SURS Seminars/Webinars

SURS offers a series of live and recorded seminars and webinars for employees who are new, mid-career, and considering retirement. Please contact SURS directly with questions or for help registering for these SURS sessions.

Scheduling a SURS Retirement Savings Plan (RSP) Counseling Session

To schedule a counseling session for the SURS RSP, visit the SURS RSP Defined Contribution Plan Scheduler and login to schedule an appointment. You may also call 800-613-9543 or TDD 800-579-5708 to speak with a defined contribution center service associate. For more information, see SURS Retirement Counseling.

SURS Retirement Counseling Appointments - Traditional and Portable

Counseling with SURS to receive an estimate of your benefits is only available to employees within four years of retirement eligibility. For more information, see SURS Retirement Counseling.

Appointments can be scheduled via the SURS Member website after you complete and submit the Retirement Estimate Request form online or call SURS to obtain a form. For a virtual appointment, members must have a computer/tablet with a camera, microphone and speakers/headphones, or a smartphone, a reliable internet connection, and the Microsoft Teams app installed.

403(b) Plan

One-On-One 403(b) Counseling

Representatives from TIAA and Fidelity, the investment companies for the University's 403(b) Plan, offer free one-on-one counseling sessions for University of Illinois System employees. Your spouse or other family member is welcome to attend the session with you.

Some topics counselors are prepared to discuss include:

  • Enrollment in the 403(b) Plan
  • Rollover of money from other plans
  • General savings strategies
  • Choosing the right mix of investments
  • Retirement readiness

Scheduling a 403(b) Counseling Session

Fidelity Investments: Visit the Fidelity counseling registration page and select "Schedule a one-on-one meeting". You can also call Fidelity at 800-642-7131.

TIAA: Visit the TIAA counseling registration page and select Virtual Consultation to schedule a virtual appointment or Your Employer to schedule an in-person appointment. You can also call TIAA at 800-732-8353. 

403(b) Virtual Webinars and Seminars

Both investment vendors offer seminars and resources on a variety of topics:

Deferred Compensation 457 Plans

State Deferred Compensation 457 Plan

Schedule a phone or video conference one-on-one appointment with a Retirement Plan Counselor for a comprehensive account review. 

View State Deferred Compensation 457 Plan educational videos.

For questions about deductions and your contributions, contact University Payroll & Benefits using the UPB Service Portal.

For questions about Plan rules and catch-up contributions, contact the State Deferred Compensation Office.

For questions about available funds, enrollment, beneficiaries, contribution changes, your account, account value, and investment changes, contact Empower at 833-969-ILDC (833-969-4532).

SURS Deferred Compensation 457 Plan

Schedule an appointment with a Defined Contribution Account Representative.

View a recorded SURS 457 Informational Webinar.

For questions about deductions and your contributions, contact University Payroll & Benefits using the UPB Service Portal.

For questions about Plan rules, catch-up contributions, available funds, enrollment, beneficiaries, contribution changes, your account, account value, and investment changes contact SURS at 800-613-9543 or TDD 800-579-5708.

Retirement Planning Conferences

UIC and UIUC host retirement planning conferences which cover a variety of topics, including SURS, 403(b), other voluntary investment plans, and general retirement information. Currently, no conferences are scheduled.

Information provided on this site is general in nature about matters of interest to University of Illinois System employees. This information is not legal, financial, or tax advice. You should consult with a legal, financial, or tax professional for assistance with your individual circumstances.