Ongoing Pension Payments

for Retirees in the Tier 1 SLEP Plan
Seaside rocks

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:

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:

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:

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.