EIU Benefit Services

State Universities Retirement System 

As a status university employee, you pay into the State University Retirement System (SURS) instead of Social Security. This may affect your future social security benefits due to the Windfall Elimination Provision. 

• All about SURS
• Windfall Elimination Provision   

New Employees

As a new employee, you have six months from your first day of employment to select your retirement savings plan:

• Traditional
• Portable
• Retirement Savings Plan 

This is a very important decision and once you select a plan, the selection is irrevocable. If you do not selected a plan within the first six months, you will default into the Traditional plan. Status employee contribute 8% of earning to SURS. 

How to make your election:

1. Go online to www.surs.org and click on the Member Login button to access, complete, and electronically sign the Retirement Choice Election form
2. You may fill out the enclosed form sent to your home address and return it to SURS in the self-addressed envelope 

 Additional Retirment Savings

As an employee, you have the opportunity to invest in voluntary tax-deferred retirement options. Your options include 403(b) and 457. For more information on additional retirement saving plans, please go to the "Retirement" drop down tab to "Voluntary Tax-Deferred Retirement".