The Teachers' Retirement System of the State of Illinois (TRS) provides retirement, disability and survivor benefits to teachers, administrators and Illinois public school personnel employed outside of the city of Chicago in positions requiring state certification. All statistics provided below are as of June 30, 2009.

Members

TRS serves a total of 365,188 members, including:

• 169,158 active members
• 101,606 inactive members
• 94,424 annuitants and beneficiaries
• Average age of active member at retirement: 59
• Average service credit at retirement: 27 years

Benefits

• Average monthly retirement annuity: $3,597
• Average monthly disability benefit: $1,991
• Average monthly survivor benefit: $1,337

Investment Portfolio

• As of June 30, 2009, the market value of TRS assets stood at $28.5 billion
• TRS experienced investment losses due to unprecedented volatility in the world financial markets during late 2008 and the first six months of 2009. However, the System has a longer investment horizon needed to make up the losses. Further, TRS benefits are protected by the state and U.S. Constitutions from being reduced for any reason, including investment performance or political climate.
• The System has assets invested across seven different asset classes, which reduces overall risk. All assets are externally managed. Click here to see external managers.

Funding

The funded ratio for TRS is 52 percent. Sources of funding for the 20 years ending June 30, 2008 are as follows:

• Net investment Income: 59 percent
• State of Illinois: 19 percent
• Member contributions: 19 percent
• Employers/school districts: 3 percent

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