The following definitions are provided to help you understand terms we regularly use in our seminars, correspondence, and publications. These definitions are general, not technical, in nature. For detailed definitions, please see the Illinois Pension Code, Article 16.

B

beneficiary

A person designated by a member or an annuitant to receive TRS death benefits.

benefit choice period

A period of time established by the Department of Central Management Services for a benefit recipient to make changes in health insurance coverage or to enroll in the plan, if the recipient has never been enrolled. It is also a period in which a recipient may enroll eligible dependents in the plan, if the dependent has never been enrolled.

Benefits Report

An annual statement as of June 30 summarizing the status of a member’s account. The statement is mailed in December.

bill

Proposed legislation that is awaiting action by the Illinois General Assembly.

board-paid retirement contributions

Member retirement contributions paid by a TRS-covered employer in addition to a member’s salary. The employer-paid contribution is reportable as creditable earnings.

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