To: All Faculty & All Academic Professionals <everybody@illinois.edu> 
    From: "University Human Resources" <uihr@uillinois.edu>

Reply-To: slmussel@uillinois.edu
 Subject: MASSMAIL - Update on SURS and Furloughs -- A Positive Step 

Dear Colleagues,

I am writing you today to inform you that representatives from the 
University of Illinois, led by President Ikenberry and the State 
Universities Retirement System (SURS) have agreed to a  manageable method 
of reporting furlough days as formal leaves of absence at SURS for those 
employees required to take furloughs. 
  
As a result, in accordance with SURS statutes, employees who take 
furlough days will now be able to individually purchase the employee 
portion of SURS contributions forfeited while on furlough.  Making up the 
employee contribution to SURS allows an employee to receive service and 
earnings credit for furlough days.

The University and SURS are working together to develop a process for 
employees to make up employee contributions to SURS.  Once the process is 
finalized, we will notify you and will post instructions on the furlough 
website.

Unfortunately, SURS statutes do not provide a mechanism that would allow 
an employee to make up contributions to SURS that are forfeited under the 
voluntary pay reduction option.  As a result, by electing the voluntary 
pay reduction option, an employee will not receive credit for the lost 
pay at SURS and will have no mechanism to do so in the future.

Please be advised that the impact of furlough days or the voluntary pay 
reduction on SURS benefits varies significantly between employees, based 
on years of SURS participation, SURS retirement plan eligibility, 
earnings history, and retirement date.  Employees concerned about the 
impact that furlough days or the voluntary pay reduction may have on SURS 
benefits are urged to consult with SURS.

Employees who have already elected the voluntary pay reduction may revoke 
their election on or before February 8, 2010 at 
<https://nessie.uihr.uillinois.edu/cf/comp/voluntaryreduct/index.cfm>. 

Maureen M. Parks
Assistant Vice President, University Human Resources
This mailing approved by:
The Office of the President

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