SUAA - State Universities Annuitants Association
The State Universities Annuitants Association (SUAA) provides the framework for a unified message dedicated to preserving and protecting a strong public pension system, healthcare benefits, and the general well-being of its membership. SUAA advocates on behalf of all faculty and staff of public universities and community colleges - both retired and current employees - their spouses and survivors, who are participants and beneficiaries of the State Universities Retirement System.
SUAA actively advocates to preserve and to protect higher education, the SURS pension system, the healthcare plans, and other benefits provided for community college and university employees and retirees, their spouses and survivors. SUAA is the only advocacy organization that focuses solely on protecting benefits for all SURS members and beneficiaries. In addition, SUAA works closely with SURS to educate employees about benefit changes resulting from recently passed legislation.
SUAA News
Every voice matters in SUAA: Add yours today!
Why You Should Join
SUAA is your voice at the State Capitol: through voice, action, mission, and visibility. SUAA's work is often done behind the scenes, but here is how they are working every day to make a difference for their members:
Legislative Difference
Stopped Constitutional Threats
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Representing all SURS participants and beneficiaries by suing the State of Illinois for Public Act 98-0599 – Pension Reform; the law that was ruled UNCONSTITUTIONAL by Illinois Supreme Court, thereby saving the average pensioner hundreds of thousands of dollars during their pension’s lifetime.
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Led the charge to defeat adding a new section to Article XIII of the State Constitution, which would have been an attack on SURS employees and retirees.
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Continue to actively lobby the Legislature to prevent changes to the Constitution that would harm SURS retirees and active members, such as the "pension clause".
Promoted HIgher Education's Future
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Stopped legislation that would create a slippery slope toward abolishing tuition waivers for university personnel, that ultimately could target community colleges next.
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Continuing to support legislation in Springfield to strengthen health care and pension benefits for SURS members.
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Advocating for protecting and preserving the College Insurance Program (CIP health benefits).
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Protected faculty forced to take furloughs during the state's budget crisis.
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Working to preserve Illinois' higher education system as a critical, quality commodity for Illinois, through the Higher Education Creates Jobs campaign and other advocacy.