WELCOME to the Retired State Employees Association website.

The RSEA is an independent, volunteer-driven, not-for-profit organization of retired State of Illinois employees and their survivors.

Last year State Employees’ Retirement System (SERS) had nearly 70,000 retirees and survivors receiving over $2.1 billion in retirement annuities - those are not small numbers.
While others in Illinois may fixate on the $2.1 billion, we want to show the influence of tens of thousands of retirees speaking with a unified voice.

We hope you will join us in our efforts. Your membership is important to the RSEA, our retirees, and to you. The more members an organization has, the stronger it becomes, and we use that strength to protect the rights and benefits of State retirees. Our membership dues allow us to fund our efforts to show elected officials and other policymakers that State retirees are actively interested in decisions that affect us.

Understanding Tier 2: What RSEA Members Need to Know (Plain Language Guide)

Tier 2 is the pension plan for Illinois state employees hired on or after January 1, 2011. If you were hired before that date, you are Tier 1. If you’re already retired, you are most likely Tier 1.

Tier 2 was created to reduce pension costs after the 2008 financial crisis. It lowered benefits for newer employees in several ways.

Understanding Tier 2:(Plain Language Guide)

SERS Alert: Recent Fraud Attempts on SERS Retirees

SERS wants you to be aware of fraudulent attempts to gather personal and financial information from retirees through text messages and emails. State Retirees are encouraged to read the following article which further explains how the fraud is being attempted.

Fraud Attempts against State Retirees

The Benefits of Membership

The RSEA advocates for its membership by monitoring proposed legislation that may affect retirement benefits, contacting legislators, and even making proposed changes when needed.

Other member benefits include a monthly newsletter (The Reporter), interesting guest speakers at our monthly meetings (ranging from representatives of the Alzheimer’s Association to gubernatorial candidates), and access to our Facebook group (which allows us to stream our monthly meetings to our members who might live outside the central Illinois region).

Join Today

The 2025 RSEA Brochure can be found here:   RSEA Brochure

We Have Moved !
          New Meeting Location

As of January 2023, the location of our monthly Springfield membership meeting has been moved to the Springfield First United Methodist Church, located at 2941 S. Koke Mill Road, Springfield, IL (on the Northwest corner of Koke Mill Rd and Wabash Ave). The meetings are still held at 1:30 p.m. on the last Wednesday of the months January through October.