Surviving Spouse Pensions

for Retirees in the Tier 1 Revised ECO Plan
Sunset

When Your Surviving Spouse Pension Starts

Your surviving spouse pension becomes payable on the first day of the month following the death of the retired member. If we have not finished processing your benefit by this date, you will receive your first payment after this date but it will include a retroactive payment back to the date your pension became payable. You will receive a separate letter from IMRF that explains your first payment and what months your first payment covers.

Your payments will be directly deposited into your account on the first of the month. You will need to fill out an "Application for Direct Deposit" form (Available in Member Access).

Pension Increases

Your surviving spouse pension will be increased by 3% of the original amount every January 1.

Supplemental Pension Payment (13th Payment)

As a surviving spouse, you will receive a supplemental payment each July. The amount is a percentage of your June monthly payment amount and will be included with your July payment.

You Will Receive Your Pension Even If You Remarry

You will receive your survivor's pension for the rest of your life. Remarrying or entering into a new civil union does not affect your surviving spouse pension.

Even though there may be no change in your pension, you do need to advise us of any name or address change to make sure your payments are not interrupted. The fastest and easiest way to submit a name or address change is through Member Access. You can also mail or fax us your changes, but you must include your signature or we cannot accept them.

Death Benefit for Recipients of ECO Surviving Spouse Pensions

If the surviving spouse dies, the child’s pension remains payable to the ECO member’s minor (under age 18) unmarried children. If no child’s pension is payable, IMRF will pay to the retired member’s beneficiary(ies) any portion of the IMRF member contributions, with interest to the date of the member's retirement, which has not been paid as retirement and/or survivor benefits.

If member contributions with interest have already been paid as retirement or survivor benefits, there is no benefit of any type paid upon the death of a person receiving a surviving spouse pension.