IMRF Deposits Payments on the First of the Month
Your pension payments are deposited directly into your bank account on the first day of every month (check with your bank if the first is on a weekend or holiday).
You provided your direct deposit information to IMRF in your retirement application. If you need to change this information:
- The fastest and easiest way to submit changes is through your Member Access account
- You can also complete an IMRF "Application for Direct Deposit" form and return the form to us
- If you need us to mail you a paper form, please call Member Services at 1-800-ASK-IMRF (275-4673)
Keep Your Information Up to Date
If Your Account Number Changes with the Same Bank
If you are changing account numbers with your bank but your bank routing number will be the same, you can complete a new direct deposit form or you can call an IMRF Member Services Representative at 1-800-ASK-IMRF (1-800-275-4673), Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and provide us with the new number.
If You Are Changing Banks
IMRF requires a new direct deposit form if you are changing financial institutions -- we cannot accept this change over the phone or through email.
If Your Address Changes Tell Us Immediately
Although your payments are deposited directly, IMRF will continue to mail you income tax statements and other correspondence. If these documents are returned to us because of an address change we don't know about, your payments will be suspended until you change your address with us. You can change your address in your Member Access account or by writing us. If you write us, you must include your signature or we cannot accept the change. We cannot accept address changes over the phone or by email.
Make Your Changes Before the 10th of the Month
You need to send any changes to IMRF before the 10th of the month if you want the changes to be processed in time for your next pension payment.
IMRF must verify account changes with your financial institution. If this is not done before we process your next payment, that payment may be delayed. You might receive a check for that payment, and the following month’s payment will be directly deposited using your new information.
Direct Deposit is Mandatory
After three paper check payments, future payments will be suspended until you enroll in direct deposit, unless you qualify for an exemption. If you think you qualify for an exemption, you must call an IMRF Member Services Representative at 1-800-ASK-IMRF (1-800-275-4673), Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., to begin the review process.
If You Have an Exemption
If you qualify for an exemption of mandatory direct deposit, you will receive your pension as a monthly paper check. We encourage you to sign up for direct deposit as soon as you are able.
Check Mailing Date
Checks are mailed from Oak Brook three calendar days prior to the first of the month. Monthly checks are always dated the first of the month and should not be cashed or deposited before this date.
Lost Pension Checks
To allow for postal delays beyond our control, we ask that you wait until the 15th of the month before contacting IMRF about a missing monthly check.
After the 15th of the month you can call Member Services at 1-800-ASK-IMRF (275-4673) or write us to request a replacement check. If you write, please include:
- The check date of the missing payment
- Your name
- Your IMRF Member ID or the last four digits of your Social Security number
- Your address
- Your signature
A stop payment will be placed upon the original check upon receipt of your request. Upon confirmation from the bank, we will mail you a replacement check.
If you receive the original check:
- Before your replacement, please call our office to find out if you can cash the original check
- After you receive the replacement check, please return the original check to our office and cash the replacement check
There are different requirements for replacing missing lump sum checks. Contact Member Services for more information.
If Your Address Changes Tell Us Immediately
Failure to notify IMRF of an address change can result in a "lost" check. If the post office notifies IMRF of an address change, your payments will be suspended until you change your address with us. You can change your address in your Member Access account or by writing us. If you write us, you must include your signature or we cannot accept the change. We cannot accept address changes over the phone or by email.
