Section 6 - IMRF

Member Accounts / Past Service / Employer Resolutions / SECTION 6
Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund
Do not submit an enrollment (via Employer Access or paper Form 6.10) for member
personal information changes.
Those changes should be made as follows:
1. Changes to employment or IMRF coverage
Use IMRF Form 6.19, “Member Employment Information.” (See Paragraph 6.20 A.
Member Employment Information.)
2. Changes to personal information, such as correction of Social Security number, birth
date, etc.:
Because online transactions are more accurate, more efficient, and faster than submitting
member information to IMRF via paper forms, employers with Internet access must submit
member information changes via Employer Access.
3. Submit via Employer Access or paper Form 6.20 “Member Information Change.” (See
Paragraph 6.10 B. Designation of Beneficiary (Form 6.11, Exhibit 6O)).
6.10 B. Designation of Beneficiary (Form 6.11. Exhibit 6O)
New IMRF members as well as active and inactive members wishing to change their beneficiaries should complete
Form 6.11, “Designation of Beneficiary.” The designation becomes effective when the form is on file in IMRF’s
office.
IMRF recommends members designating a beneficiary online using their Member Access account.
Online Enrollment process: IMRF mails beneficiary form to member
After the employer enrolls a member online, IMRF mails a partially pre-populated Designation of Beneficiary form
to the member’s home with a cover letter and self-addressed, postage-paid envelope. The letter confirms the
member’s participation in IMRF and asks the member to complete and return the Designation of Beneficiary form.
IMRF follows up with the member if the Designation of Beneficiary form is not returned.
Guidelines for Members
A member should update his or her beneficiary designation whenever a major life event occurs, such as a marriage,
divorce, birth of a child or death of a previously named beneficiary.
Members can view their beneficiary information via the Member Access area of IMRF’s website, www.imrf.org.
IMRF can only accept the signature of the member to change a beneficiary. If someone other than the member
submits a designation form, including an agent under a power of attorney, the form will not be accepted.
Members who are Married or in a Civil Union
Public Act 96-1140 changed the default beneficiary to the member’s estate.
Previously, an active or inactive member’s spouse was the default beneficiary. Now, the member’s estate is the
default beneficiary, regardless of the member’s marital status. The member’s spouse may not have the choice of a
surviving spouse pension (assuming the spouse is eligible) unless the member has a designation of beneficiary form
on file naming the spouse as his or her sole primary beneficiary.
Previously, a retired member’s spouse was the default beneficiary for the $3,000 lump sum death benefit. Now, a
retired member’s estate is the default beneficiary for the $3,000 lump sum death benefit.
Naming a spouse as co-beneficiary
A member who is married or in a civil union and not yet retired, can choose to name his or her spouse as co-
Page 230 January 2014