Our association is a local chapter of the State Universities Annuitants Association (SUAA), a growing organization of nearly 15,000 members in 50 chapters.

Both NIUAA and SUAA promote the interests and the welfare of the members of the State Universities Retirement System (SURS). SURS members include present and future retirees as well as their spouses and survivors.

The associations continually monitor the activities of the legislature and other agencies that could affect the benefits of their members and other SURS retirees. Enhancement of retiree benefits is the goal whether it be obtaining a new benefit or guarding against the loss of a benefit.

For more than 30 years the NIUAA and the SUAA have been major players in obtaining the many benefits that retirees enjoy today. These benefits include:

• State funding for the SURS pension program and the State Health Insurance program
• Maintaining the automatic annual increase in the SURS pension, thus protecting the value of pension benefits in real terms (applicable to all major Illinois public employee retirement systems) 
• Exemption from state income tax on annuity payouts (currently 3.0%)
• Increase in the survivor’s benefit from 30% to 50%
• Opportunity for survivor to remarry at any age without loss of annuity benefit
• Continuation of health benefit for surviving spouse without cost

The local chapter also provides opportunities for the members to interact socially and professionally.

Sponsors

• Office of the President
• Division of University Advancement
• NIU Foundation
• NIU Credit Union