News & Event Archive
See SUAA Mini Briefings at suaa.org
Know Your SURS Benefits & Hear from SIUE Retiree Panel Members - November 13, 2018
State University Retirement System (SURS) representative Marlys Johnson provided an overview of SURS Tier I and Tier II benefits, with a focus on retirement. SIUE panel members provided their insights specifically related to retiring from SIUE under the various plans.
- Understanding Your SURS Benefits Tier I & Tier II recording from SURS website
- PowerPoint slides from the Retiree Panel (with corrected Medicare information)
- Video recording of the Zoom Retiree Panel Presentation
Retire Financially Secure, And Stay That Way - October 23, 2018
Barry Greenberg, SIUE’s former Bursar, gave a thirty-minute presentation on planning strategies for your financial security during your retirement years to both complement and supplement your State University Retirement System (SURS) pension. This presentation provided a step by step approach toward planning for a rewarding retirement.
SUAA SIUE Chapter Meeting - June 18, 2018
This video contains presentations made at the SIUE Chapter of the State University Annuitants Association (SUAA) by Chancellor Pembrook, Illinois State Senator Andy Manar, and SUAA Executive Director Linda Brookhart.
SUAA SIUE Chapter Meeting - December 5, 2017
This video provides the presentations by SIU President Randy Dunn and SUAA Executive Director Linda Brookhart at the SIUE SUAA Chapter meeting held at SIUE on December 5, 2017. Please note that the video starts with President Dunn's presentation already underway as we unfortunately missed recording the first five minutes.
Hear the latest updates on the status of state funding for higher education for the SIU System, state health insurance program update and recent important pension legislation’s impact on current SIU employees.
Our speakers:
- SIUE Chancellor Randy Pembrook
- SIU President Randy Dunn
- SUAA Executive Director Linda Brookhart
Randy Dunn & Linda Brookhart Presentations
SUAA SIUE Chapter Meeting - June 12, 2017
The following videos contain the presentations made at the meeting of the SIUE Chapter of the State Universities Annuitants Association (SUAA) held at SIUE on June 12th. The full length of the videos is approximately 90 minutes.
- John Jennetten, SIUE SUAA Chapter President gave opening remarks.
- Randy Pembrook, SIUE Chancellor, provided an update on strategic projects underway at SIUE and answered questions from attendees.
- John Charles, SIU Executive Director for Governmental and Public Affairs, presented the SIU system perspective on the state budget problems and the impact on the system campuses, focusing on SIUE specifically.
- Linda Brookhart, SUAA Executive Director, provided an update on possible changes to the state of Illinois health insurance programs for current employees and retirees. She gave a status report on possible pension reform legislation that might be acted upon by the Illinois General Assembly. She also stressed the importance of SUAA membership as SUAA is a strong advocate for both retirees and current employees.
SUAA SIUE Chapter Special Meeting - January 24, 2017
Learn about the latest proposals for pension reform and the threats to SURS members benefits - critical information, especially for current SIUE staff.Speakers:
- John Carr, SUAA Attorney and Lobbyist
- Michael Hastings, State Senator 19th District (Chicago area)
- Linda Brookhart, SUAA Executive Director
We all need to be informed about pending legislation and we cannot be complacent! Some important questions that will be addressed:
- What pension changes might be imposed on current Tier I employees (those first employed prior to January 1, 2011)?
- Can the State tax pensions and other retirement income?
- Can the State limit employee raises to the rate of inflation?
- Can the State reduce the 3% automatic annual increases for pensions?
- Can the State increase the deductible and co-pays for employee and retiree health insurance?
- Can federal bankruptcy and state constitutional laws be changed to allow significant reductions in pensions and health care benefits?
Candidates Forum - Dwight Kay and Katie Stuart
10/18/16 Please join us for conversation with candidates for Illinois House of Representatives, District 112.
Moderator: Leo Welch, Faculty Member, Southwestern Illinois College.
SUAA Launches "Higher Education Creates Jobs" Campaign
SUAA is conducting a statewide "Higher Education Creates Jobs" campaign through a generous donation by SUAAction. Signs and posters are available, and there will be newspaper and Facebook ads.
What would your community look like without higher education? Some of the ways higher education creates jobs include:
- Businesses look for and locate in communities that have quality higher education opportunities.
- Often the institution of higher education is the community's largest employer.
- Higher education employees purchase or rent housing; and employees purchase goods and services locally, supporting employment in grocery stores, restaurants, home repair businesses, gas stations, mom and pop stores, and on and on and on.
- Community colleges and universities contract out in their local areas for a variety of products and services (construction projects, printing services, food venders, etc.) providing employment in local communities.
- Higher education employees pay taxes to support local governments, public schools, police and fire services, snow removal, etc., generating jobs in local communities.
- Students graduate and often locate in the community. Some of these educated individuals create small businesses; and as these businesses grow, they hire additional employees.
Download a flyer here.
DISCOUNTED LONG TERM CARE INSURANCE PROGRAM FOR SUAA MEMBERS
3/24/16 The State Universities Annuitants Association (SUAA) strives to provide its membership with opportunities that will enhance their feeling of well-being and know that efforts have been made to protect family assets.
We don't often think about how we will be cared for during illness unless we have already had an experience with a loved one. Nor do we consider the cost of the care that isn't provided by Medicare or supplemental health insurance.
Therefore, SUAA is aligned with TK Partners & Associates, Inc. to bring a discounted Long Term Care Insurance Program to you. This discounted program is made available to all SUAA members and their family members who are under the age of 79.
There are several companies for you to select from. To request information about a Long Term Care Insurance Program click here or call 1.866.813.5443.
ILL. GOV. RAUNER TO DEMS: WORK WITH ME, OR GIVE ME EMERGENCY BUDGET POWERS
2/18/16 Citing "an emergency on our hands," Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner on Wednesday implored the Legislature to help him break a partisan logjam that has left the state without an operating budget for the past eight months--or else give him the authority to unilaterally cut spending to address a shortfall of more than $4 billion. Read more at STLToday.
STUART TO SEEK 112TH DISTRICT SEAT
2/12/16 Katie Stuart, who lives in Edwardsville and teaches Mathematics at SIUE, told a crowd of supporters Thursday that she intends to challenge incumbent Dwight Kay for state representative in Illinois' 112th District. Read more at The Edwardsville Intelligencer. Find information on her campaign on Facebook.
SUAA SIUE Chapter Meeting - December 2, 2015
Professor Richard Dye of the University of Illinois, Institute of Government and Public Affairs and co-author of “Illinois Pensions in a Fiscal Context: A (Basket) Case”, was the guest speaker at the December 2015 meeting of the SUAA SIUE Chapter. A video of the presentation is available, and you can view the PowerPoint slides here.
New Website Launch
The Southern Illinois University Edwardsville chapter of the State Universities Annuitants Association (SUAA) announces the launch of their new website as a service to their membership and the university community.
SUAA is a state-wide organization which advocates for current university and community college employees, retirees, their spouses and survivors to preserve their pension, healthcare and other benefits. SUAA’s primary mission is to preserve and protect the state pension system, the State University Retirement System (SURS).
With 500 current members, the SIUE SUAA Chapter will be utilizing this new website to foster communication and inform members of legislation and social issues affecting their welfare. Announcements regarding chapter meetings and activities will be provided as well as opportunities for members to become involved and to support their membership organization.
A demonstration of the features of the new website will be showcased at the upcoming meeting of the SIUE Chapter on Wednesday, December 2nd at noon in the Mississippi-Illinois Rooms in Morris University Center at SIUE.
The website can be accessed at www.siue.edu/suaa.
For questions and more information, please contact Dr. John Jennetten, SIUE SUAA Chapter President at 618-307-5383
Attorney Aaron Maduff on Status of Pensions Post-Sup Court Ruling |
We talk with Attorney Aaron Maduff, one of the attorneys that argued before the Supreme Court, challenging the Pension Reform Law, about what other threats may be posed to the state's pensions, such as a tax on pension benefits, and his thoughts on the Constitutionality of those potential reforms. |
The State Universities Retirement System (SURS) W. Bryan Lewis, the new executive director of the $17.4 billion state pension fund, talks with members of the State University Annuitants Assn (SUAA), about the approach to running the SURS pension investments, and how they approach getting good returns without exceptional risk. |
Illinois Illustrated: A Visual Guide to Taxes and the Economy |
Carol Portman, President of the Taxpayers' Federation of Illinois, addresses members of the State Universities Annuitants Association with a presentation titled Illinois Illustrated: A Visual Guide to Taxes and the Economy. |
Analysis of Illinois Fiscal Policies and Impact on Economic Growth |
Ralph Martire, who heads the Ctr for Tax & Budget Accountability, gives a presentation to members of the State University Annuitants Assn, and shows how Illinois' taxes on property, income, and businesses compare to surrounding states. He also questions the idea that lower taxes lead to better business conditions, as he compares low tax states and their economic growth rates to high tax states. |