NIU employees have access to retirement benefits through the State Universities Retirement System (SURS). You can also choose to participate in a supplemental retirement plan with an approved vendor. NIU employees are encouraged to counsel with approved representatives regarding their retirement accounts. When the time comes, we'll help you learn how to retire.
Please note: Since NIU employees don't pay into Social Security, you won't be eligible for Social Security coverage based on your employment at NIU. You will pay Medicare taxes.
NIU is responsible for confirming if you're eligible to participate in SURS. In general, you're eligible if your position requires you to work continuously for at least one academic term or four months, whichever is less, and your employment is not intermittent or irregular.
You're not eligible if any of the following apply:
If you're new to SURS, you'll need to enroll in a plan within six months of your date of hire. If you don't, you'll be placed in the Traditional Plan. Your choice is final and cannot be changed.
If eligible, you must enroll in one of three SURS retirement plans:
Please note: SURS uses a two-tiered system for its retirement plans. You're in tier I if you were hired before Jan. 1, 2011. If you were hired after that date, you're in tier II.