Below are some frequently asked questions about Member Access. Check back on this page regularly as we will update it with new questions and answers.
Member Statements
Expand list of Questions related to Member Statements
Getting into your Member Access Account
Expand list of Questions related to creating your Member Access account and signing in.
Using your Member Access Account
Expand list of Member Access Account Questions
Finding Information
- When I click on the "My Account" link in the upper right corner of new Member Access, I can’t find my information.
- Why don’t I see all of my documents in Member Access?
Voluntary Additional Contributions (VAC)
Payment Information in Member Access
Expand list of Questions related to viewing your Payment Information
- How do I view my payment information?
- How far back does my payment history information go?
- How do I update my tax withholding information?
- How do I update my Direct Deposit information if I use only one bank account?
- How do I update my Direct Deposit information if I have my deposit going into more than one bank account?
- Where can I see my annual benefit statements?
Frequently Asked Questions and Answers
Member Statements
Q. Some of my personal information has changed. How do I fix this on my Member Statement?
A. If some information on your statement is incorrect (a name is misspelled, your address is wrong, or you have a different beneficiary), you can update this information in your Member Access account. Follow the steps found here.
You can also call IMRF’s contact center at 1-800-ASK-IMRF (275-4673) and choose “Member Access Help” (option 4) to quickly connect with a representative.
Q. I’m a retiree. When will I get my Annual Statement?
A. Annuitant Statements are loaded into Member Access for retirees around the end of each calendar year. Follow these steps to find your Annuitant Statement.
Q. What is the “Pension Value”?
A. Pension Value can be found in your Member Statement. This compares the money you would need to purchase an annuity to receive the same level of benefits you receive from your IMRF pension.
Through contributions from members and employers, along with investment returns from IMRF, retirees have a higher rate of return than through traditional retirement savings plans.
Q. Why is my pension estimate lower than last year?
A. Pension estimates are calculated using the benefits that you are guaranteed in your pension tier, a yearly salary increase assumption of 2.75%, and an assumption that you will retire from an IMRF employer.
If you did not receive a raise of 2.75%, then your pension estimate will reflect this and recalculate your potential earnings based on the factors above. The estimate might also be adjusted if you take time off work and did not receive the same salary you did the previous year.
Getting into your Member Access Account
Q. What email should I use to sign up for Member Access?
A. IMRF members should use their personal email address to sign up for Member Access. This is important because if members change employers or retire, they will still be able to access their account and get messages from IMRF if they use their personal email address.
Q. How do I create my new Member Access account?
A. As long as you have an email address on file with IMRF, you will be able to self-register. Visit this page and follow the prompts. You can also follow the steps outlined in the video at the bottom of this page.
If you do not have an email address on file with IMRF, you will need to call 1-800-ASK-IMRF (1-800-275-4673) to register for an account.
Using your Member Access Account
Finding Information—
Q. When I click on the "My Account" link in the upper right corner of new Member Access, I can’t find my information.
A. Once you sign in to your new Member Access account, you can find much of your account information by scrolling and clicking on the Pension Profile box. This is in the middle of your Member Access homepage.
 |
Active Members |
Retired Members |
|
Under Pension Profile, you can choose from the following tabs:
The Pension Plan tab has information about your service credit, contributions, and salary history. |
Under Pension Profile, you can choose from the following tabs:
The Payment Information tab has information about your direct deposit account, tax withholding choices, and payment history. |
Retirees: You can also directly access specific areas of your account by scrolling down to the Online Tools section. This section is in the middle of your Member Access homepage. These three boxes will appear—click on the box for the topic you want to view to go directly to that area in your account.
Q. Why don’t I see all of my documents in Member Access?
A. Member Access will only display your annual statements and other documents for the past ten years. If you have a question about a document older than ten years, you will need to send a secure message to IMRF.
Voluntary Additional Contributions—
Q. How do I see my Voluntary Additional Contributions (VAC)?
A. To view your VAC, sign in to your Member Access account, click on the “Pension Profile” widget, then click the “Pension Plan” tab. Click the drop-down menu for “Accumulated contributions” and your VAC will display.
Q. How is my Voluntary Additional Contributions (VAC) information displayed?
A. In Member Access, you can see your yearly VA contribution amounts for the previous two years, and your current VA contribution totals (with and without interest) as of the day you are viewing them in Member Access.
Payment Information
Q. How do I view my payment information?
A.
- Log in to Member Access
- Scroll down to the “Online Tools” section on your Member Access home page.
- Click on the “View Payment History” box
- Click “Payment Information” on the left
This view gives you a summary of your payment information. To open a detailed statement for a specific payment date, click on the date of the payment.
Q. How far back does my payment history information go?
A. Member Access will display your payment history as far back as 2020. If you have a question about an older payment, you will need to send a secure message to IMRF.
Q. How do I update my tax withholding information?
A. The “Update Tax Withholding?” instructions in the Member Access Learning Center will walk you through how to update your tax withholding in Member Access.
Q. How do I update my Direct Deposit information if I use only one bank account?
A. The “Update Payment Preference” instructions in the Member Access Learning Center will walk you through how to update your banking information in Member Access.
Q. How do I update my Direct Deposit information if I have my deposit going into more than one bank account?
A. If you want your payment “split” into more than one bank account, the “Request a Split Payment?” instructions in the Member Access Learning Center will walk you through how to enter or update your banking information for more than one account.
Q. Where can I see my 1099-R tax forms?
A. The “View Annual Documents and Produce a Document?” instructions in the Member Access Learning Center will walk you through how to view your 1099-Rs.
Q. Where can I see my annual benefit statements?
A. The “View Annual Documents and Produce a Document?” instructions in the Member Access Learning Center will walk you through how to view your annual benefit statements.
Member Access Learning Center
In the Member Access Learning Center, you will find key documents which will help you navigate our new Member Access. Click here to explore the Member Access Learning Center.