Spring 2026 - Topics & Report Newsletter

Technology Leader Kader Sakkaria Appointed to TRS Board of Trustees

Governor JB Pritzker appointed Kader Sakkaria* of Naperville to the TRS Board of Trustees in February 2026.

Kader Sakkaria is the Global Head of Data Technology at Arthur J. Gallagher & Co., one of the world's largest insurance brokerage and risk management firms. In this role, he leads the company's global initiatives in data modernization, cloud migration and advanced analytics. Previously, Sakkaria served as Chief Technology Officer at Alined Consulting Group and as Chief Digital and Technology Officer at Ruffalo Noel Levitz. Earlier in his career, he held technology leadership roles at Realogy Holdings Corporation and BMO Bank.

An active contributor to the global technology community, Sakkaria serves on the QuaXigma advisory board and previously was a board member at Dun & Bradstreet TransUnion. He earned a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science and a Master of Science in Computer Applications from the University of Madras, and an MBA from Northwestern University.

"Kader brings an exceptional depth of experience in technology strategy, data modernization and advanced analytics," said Stan Rupnik, TRS Executive Director & Chief Investment Officer. "His expertise will be tremendously valuable as TRS advances our pension system modernization project and explores broader applications of AI to enhance service for our members."

"We are proud to welcome Kader to the TRS Board of Trustees," said Matthew Hunt, TRS Board President. "His global technology leadership and commitment to innovation will strengthen our Board and support our ongoing efforts to serve Illinois educators."

* Appointment pending confirmation by the Illinois Senate

Markets Group Names Stan Rupnik as a 2026 Elite Institutional CIO

Congratulations to TRS Executive Director and Chief Investment Officer Stan Rupnik who was named one of Markets Group's 2026 Elite Institutional CIOs. Markets Group is an executive forum organizer that connects institutional investors, asset managers and allocators worldwide through various professional conferences, seminars and webinars.

This honor recognizes Stan's exceptional leadership overseeing both TRS's investment and operational functions, stewarding more than $83 billion in assets on behalf of Illinois educators.

Over more than two decades as CIO, Stan has provided critical leadership through notable institutional transformation, including the expansion and maturation of the alternative investment platform, adoption of a risk-based asset allocation framework, development of a direct private equity co-investment program, and the launch of the System's deferred compensation plan.

He has also placed a strong emphasis on organizational development and governance, investing in talent, transparency, and scalable infrastructure.

Stan's leadership strengthens TRS's ability to deliver our mission to provide expert pension service to Illinois public educators as they earn their promised retirement security.

Gurnsey Appointed to Teachers' Retirement Insurance Committee

TRS Chief Communications and Engagement Officer Janelle Gurnsey has been appointed by Governor JB Pritzker to serve as a member of the Teachers' Retirement Insurance Program Committee.

The committee plays an important advisory and oversight role for the Teachers' Retirement Insurance Program (TRIP), which provides health insurance coverage to retired Illinois public school educators and their eligible dependents.

The committee meets regularly to review program operations, consider benefit and funding matters, and make recommendations to help ensure the long-term sustainability and effectiveness of retiree health benefits.

At TRS, our mission is rooted in serving and safeguarding the retirement security of our more than 462,000 members. Janelle's appointment strengthens our ability to contribute meaningfully to statewide conversations that directly impact the well-being of the educators we serve.

We are honored to have a strong TRS voice at the table advancing our commitment to members across the State of Illinois.

New Retirement Claim Tracker Launched in MyTRSIL Member Accounts

We have a new way to serve members this retirement season!

As part of our mission of delivering expert pension service, a new tracking feature has been enabled to allow for retirement process transparency. Members can now track how close they are to receiving their first retirement payment.

The retirement process begins with you contacting us about your plan to retire and ends approximately 60 to 90 days after your retirement date when you receive your first annuity payment.

After completing your Personalized Retirement Interview, you will receive your retirement packet from TRS in 10-14 business days.

Using the tracker

After the packet arrives by mail, you can log into your MyTRSIL member account, trsil.org/myTRSIL, to track the status of your retirement claim in real time. After log in, select Check Claim Status under the My Claims section to see received forms, holds and finalization. The tabs will turn from red to green when complete.

Members can log in and receive a status update online at any time.

Optional Service Eligibility Requirements Must be Met at Retirement

TRS members can obtain additional credit toward retirement through purchases of eligible optional service or repayment of refunds. A member is under no obligation to purchase optional service.

Purchase Does Not Guarantee Service Addition to Member Record

Eligibility to have optional service added to a member's record cannot be determined until the time of retirement. In some cases, as a member courtesy, TRS provides the option to make required optional service contributions sooner to stop the accrual of interest. Interest will accrue until the amount is paid in full. However, TRS's acceptance of optional service contribution payments does not guarantee that the optional service credit will be added to a member's record at the time of retirement.

The member must still meet eligibility requirements at the time of retirement to have the optional service credit included in the benefit calculation. If a TRS member elects to purchase optional service and pay optional service contributions in advance, but does not meet the requirements at the time of retirement, TRS will refund the contributions for the ineligible service. No interest will be paid.

Eligibility Requirements Must Be Met

Specific eligibility requirements must be met for each type of optional service. More information about optional service and eligibility requirements can be read in the Optional Service Credit Chapters of the Tier 1 and Tier 2 Member Guides on the TRS website, trsil.org.

Common Optional Service Types

Out-of-system service

Illinois law does not permit credit for teaching service that is also used in any other statutory, public employee retirement system except Social Security or a military allotment. Members may not receive retirement benefits from two public pension systems for the same years of service.

Leave of absence or involuntary layoff

Members may purchase service credit for approved leaves of absence or involuntary layoffs. A layoff is involuntary if it is due to a reduction in force (RIF) authorized under the School Code. Involuntary leave does not include a dismissal for cause or other performance-related reasons.

Private school credit

The Illinois Pension Code allows a limited opportunity to purchase credit for service as a teacher or administrator in a recognized Illinois private school. Post-secondary institutions are not included. Members must apply for this credit on or before June 30, 2028.

Service canceled by a refund

When a member takes a refund of TRS contributions, the TRS membership ends and all creditable service is canceled. This service cannot be reinstated or used for calculating benefits until certain requirements are met.

Retiring Tier 1 & Inactive Member Buyout Programs Set to Expire June 30, 2026

Two buyout programs will expire on June 30, 2026 unless the laws are extended by the Illinois General Assembly during the spring 2026 session. TRS does not have the authority to write or pass legislation. Such decisions rest with the Illinois General Assembly.

Accelerated Annual Increase (AAI) Program for Tier 1 Members

Retiring Tier 1 members are informed about the option of an accelerated pension benefit payment at the time that they apply for their retirement benefit. Members must submit an application for a retirement date effective Jan. 1, 2019 through June 30, 2026 and meet the age and service requirements to receive an annuity. To be eligible for the program before the expiration date, a member's retirement application must have the AAI box selected as "Yes" and be received by TRS on or before June 30, 2026.

Tier 1 members who choose to accept the AAI Program will renounce their rights to their current annual pension increase - a compounded 3% raise calculated from the amount of their current pensions. Instead, they receive a 1.5% raise always calculated from the amount of their original pensions.

The lump-sum equals 70% of the monetary difference between the estimated current lifetime value of the 3% annual raise and the estimated current lifetime value of the 1.5% annual raise.

For participants in the AAI program, the new raise would take effect on the Jan. 1 after the member turns 67 or the first anniversary of the member's retirement, whichever is later. The existing 3% annual raise begins on the Jan. 1 after the member turns 61 or the first anniversary of the member's retirement, whichever is later.

Accelerated Pension Benefit (APB) Program for Inactive Members

The law offers all eligible inactive members in both Tier 1 and Tier 2 to irrevocably elect to opt out of their anticipated TRS pension benefits in exchange for a one-time, lump-sum payment. The payment equals 60% of the present value of the member's anticipated pension benefits. Members accepting the accelerated payment give up any future claim to a TRS benefit. Members must apply for the program on or before the June 30, 2026 deadline.

Payment Options

Members who elect either buyout program will be able to receive their accelerated pension benefit payments as cash or as a "rollover" into a private tax-qualified retirement plan. If a member takes the payment as cash, it will be subject to all applicable taxes and charges.

Always Use a Personal Email in Your Online MyTRSIL Member Record

Check that your email on file with TRS is your personal email and not a work email so that you never lose access to receiving information from your pension system.

To review your email on file, log in to your MyTRSIL member account. After gaining access, review the Email Information section on the opening page and update it if necessary.

Prepare for Retirement by Using This Retirement Timeline Checklist

As Soon as Possible

• Attend a Benefit Information meeting. A schedule is available on the TRS website during the fall.
• If you have not already submitted a "proof of birth" online in your MyTRSIL member account, it must be provided to TRS in order to process your retirement benefit.
• Confirm your years of service by accessing your TRS Benefits Report online (updated each November).
• Obtain the cost of reinstating a TRS refund, record sick leave from former employers and report optional service. Types of optional service include:
  • substitute teaching,
  • homebound or part-time service before July 1, 1990,
  • out-of-system service,
  • military service,
  • board-approved leaves of absence,
  • leaves of absence due to pregnancy or adoption prior to July 1983,
  • involuntary layoffs,
  • recognized Illinois private school service (must apply on or before June 30, 2028), and
  • paid student teaching.
• Update your Beneficiary Designation form to ensure that survivor benefits will be paid according to your wishes.
• Provide us with your personal email address online in your MyTRSIL member account. Emails about legislation and other important issues will also be sent periodically.
• Inquire about upgrading your pre-July 1998 service to the 2.2 formula. Call us for the cost to upgrade (Tier 1 members only).
• Consider consulting with a financial planner. TRS does not provide financial advice.
• Determine if any reciprocal service you have accrued will be beneficial to use in retirement. Each retirement system has specific rules about reinstating refunded service.

4 to 5 Years Before Retirement

• Attend a Benefit Information Meeting. A schedule is available on the TRS website during the fall.
• Schedule an individual appointment, if necessary.
• Complete a benefit estimate online in your MyTRSIL account or by calling us. We will need to know your estimated retirement date; the number of unused, uncompensated sick leave days at retirement; and current and estimated future salary rates, including TRS contributions. Also include any bonuses and extra-duty pay.

Year of Retirement

• Request an updated benefit estimate (online or by phone).
• Attend an It's Time to Retire meeting held in February.
• Finish reporting all optional service; this task may take time and research.
• Complete payment to reciprocal system for refunded service, if applicable.

3 Months Before Last Day

• Complete the Personalized Retirement Interview by calling us or logging on to your MyTRSIL member account online. You'll be asked a few questions to complete information in the retirement packet. You will receive the packet within three weeks. If you have reciprocal service, you also will need to call the other retirement system(s) to apply.
• Confirm you have provided us with your personal email address in your MyTRSIL member account online. You will receive important information about the status of your retirement via email.
• Check on the status of any optional service or 2.2 balances still owed (Tier 1 members only). During the retirement process, you will be asked how you wish to pay any remaining 2.2 balance. Payment can be made either through a lump sum, rollover, or pre-tax reduction from your monthly annuity check. If you have any optional service balances, they must be paid prior to retirement, with the exception of pregnancy or adoption leaves.

Benefit Choice Period for Health Insurance Coverage Planned May 1 - June 1

The annual Benefit Choice Period for Teachers' Retirement Insurance Program (TRIP) participants is planned for May 1 - June 1, 2026. Benefit Choice is the time to make changes in TRIP coverage and to enroll yourself and eligible dependents. This enrollment period also allows TRS members and their dependents who have previously opted out of TRIP an opportunity to re-enroll in the program. TRS will post any updates about the Benefit Choice Period on our website.

Watch Mail for the Benefit Choice Booklet

The Benefit Choice booklet will be mailed to retirees currently enrolled in TRIP by the end of April.
This booklet includes important changes that will take effect on July 1, 2026.

Dental and Vision Benefits

All TRIP plan participants have vision and dental benefits at no additional cost. Plan participants will be mailed a plan ID card from EyeMed, the plan administrator for vision benefits, and Delta Dental, the plan administrator for dental benefits.

Medicare Split Family Requirements for Retirees, Annuitants and Survivors

TRIP plan participants who become eligible for Medicare Parts A and B (based on age or disability) will be required to enroll in the Total Retiree Advantage Illinois (TRAIL) Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug (MAPD) program. If the member is Medicare eligible, failure to enroll in the TRAIL plan will result in the termination of coverage for the member and any covered dependents. If the dependent is Medicare eligible, failure to enroll in the TRAIL plan will result in the termination of the dependents' coverage.

Members who are already enrolled in the TRAIL MAPD plan do not have to make a change during this open enrollment period.

Resources for Benefit Choice

The full Benefit Choice booklet will be available at MyBenefits.illinois.gov.

If you reside outside of Illinois, this resource lists the insurance options available in your state by county: trsil.org/health-insurance/out-of-state-accessibility.

It is your responsibility to make sure your insurance plan is available in your residential state and county.

If you already are enrolled in TRIP and wish to make a change in coverage, call the MyBenefits Service Center (MBSC) at 844-251-1777 or log in at MyBenefits.illinois.gov. If you are enrolling yourself for the first time during the Benefit Choice Period, please contact TRS for a TRIP Participation Election form.

As a reminder, TRS does not administer TRIP. TRS determines eligibility, assists with enrolling members in the program and collects appropriate premiums. By law, CMS is the administrator that determines coverage benefits, establishes premiums, negotiates contracts with the insurance carriers, and resolves coverage and claim issues.

MBSC is the insurance plan enrollment provider for CMS and can answer questions about changing plan coverage or electing benefits.

Post-Retirement Employment Limitations Set to Change on July 1, 2026

Post-retirement employment limitations are limited to 120 days or 600 hours through June 30, 2026. Under the law, the limits are scheduled to return to 100 days or 500 hours on July 1, 2026 unless the law is extended by the Illinois General Assembly during the spring 2026 session.

New Retiree Features in MyTRSIL Member Accounts Online

A core value at TRS is continuous improvement. Last year, retirees provided survey feedback to us that we should expand their benefit details online. We listened and worked internally to improve retiree services in MyTRSIL.

Retired members can now view their monthly benefit details directly from their landing page, including the amount and date of their next COLA increase. Additionally, retirees can also access MyTRS pay stubs (earnings statements) and conveniently upload documents for their TRS records. Log in at trsil.org/myTRSIL.

Find and Register for Webinars of Interest on TRS Website's Calendar

We've made finding and registering for relevant webinars easy for you!

As part of our outreach to all members, you are invited to register and attend webinars that interest you. To see what events are scheduled, visit the calendar at trsil.org/calendar. Target audiences are defined by different colors on the calendar.

For your convenience, we have the next three months of webinars online and open for registration. Registrations are limited to 1,000 attendees per event.

Role of TRS

TRS provides expert pension services to Illinois public educators, ensuring their promised retirement security. Governed by a 15-member Board of Trustees, TRS operates as a fiduciary, managing benefits and assets responsibly, in compliance with the law and in the best interests of our members.

TRS does not have the authority to write or pass legislation. Such decisions rest with the Illinois General Assembly. TRS serves as a reliable resource to legislators and stakeholders, providing subject matter expertise on pension-related matters.

For legislative concerns, members should contact their state representatives. TRS is committed to delivering exceptional service and support to all members.

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Spring 2026 | Published by the Teachers' Retirement System of the State of Illinois.