New Members

Welcome to IMRF!

Your IMRF membership is a major financial asset, so it’s important to understand your account.

What is IMRF?

IMRF is a defined benefit plan that provides a lifetime of income protection. Your IMRF benefits include:

• Retirement benefits
  With enough time and service credit, you can become eligible for an IMRF pension. You never outlive your IMRF pension—it is payable for life.
• Disability
  Your IMRF benefits include disability protection if you become disabled. IMRF provides two types of disability benefits: temporary, and total and permanent.
• Death benefits
  IMRF provides certain benefits to your beneficiaries if you pass away.

What are the details of my benefits?

Your specific benefits and eligibility requirements depend on your plan and tier.

Not sure what plan and tier you’re in? Your welcome letter includes your plan and tier. You can also read more about plans and tiers here.

As a new member, what do I need to do first?

• Step 1: Read your welcome letter and review your membership information. If you notice any incorrect information, contact IMRF Member Services immediately.
• Step 2: Go to IMRF Member Access to sign into your account if you have one, or to sign up for your account if you don’t. To stay informed about your IMRF account, you must use Member Access:
• Member Access is where you set your communication preferences. This is how you let IMRF know your preferred delivery method for future documents and notifications from us. You should review the current communication preference settings in your Member Access account and update them if needed.
• Member Access is the best way to make changes to your personal information, complete and submit forms, and view your account information.
• Step 3: Complete your "Designation of Beneficiary" form (Available in Member Access). Your IMRF benefits include survivor benefits. If you do not have a beneficiary form on file with us, your default beneficiary is your estate.
• Step 4: Consider taking advantage of IMRF’s Voluntary Additional Contributions (VAC) program—a valuable savings opportunity available only to IMRF members! 

VAC is an easy way to save more for retirement. Here’s an example of how VAC can increase your retirement savings:

Select your plan/tier under “Members” in the menu at the top of this page, and then click “Voluntary Additional Contributions” to learn more!