Advocating for Employees & Retirees: WIU SUAA

August 22, 2022


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MACOMB/MOLINE, IL – For more than 50 years, a local non-partisan group has ensured that the voices of Western Illinois University employees and retirees are heard loud and clear.

The WIU chapter of the State Universities Annuitants Association (SUAA), which has been in existence since 1971 and boasts over 700 members, serves as an advocate for WIU employees and retirees, noted WIU SUAA President Patti Jones.

"One of our main priorities is to promote the interest and welfare of our annuitants and current University employees," Jones added.

The WIU SUAA board meets monthly to discuss current events that may affect pensions, and also participates in community service events. WIU-SUAA executive board members communicate frequently with legislators, public officials and political candidates to discuss issues of importance to WIU retirees and future retirees, such as full pension funding, cost of living increases, retiree health insurance and tax exemptions, she noted.

WIU SUAA's Board of Directors holds monthly meetings in Macomb at 10 a.m. the first Thursday of each month at Wesley United Methodist Church's library conference room.

While the majority of the WIU SUAA membership is composed of University retirees, the local chapter has seen an increase in recent years of current WIU employee participation, which is vital to the organization's success, said Judy Brown, WIU SUAA board member and foundation chair.

"One of the misconceptions we often hear is that this organization is just for retirees. Current employees are welcome and encouraged to join our local chapter. Our mission is to advocate for all of our members," Brown added.

SUAA currently has nearly 13,204 members from Illinois public universities and community colleges. The association is funded almost entirely by membership dues. The organization also provides numerous benefits to its members, including the Foundation Emergency Assistance Program, which is designed to help chapters provide support for members who are facing a sudden need for funds to cope with a crisis situation; the Survivor Assistance Program; SUAA Foundation Scholarships; and SUAA Foundation Professional Development Grants
For more information about the WIU SUAA chapter, visit wiu.edu/state_university_annuitants_association. A membership form is also available from this site.

For more information, or to join the WIU SUAA chapter, contact Jones at PI-Jones@wiu.edu. A complete listing of the WIU SUAA board and other information can be found at wiu.edu/state_university_annuitants_association/.

Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
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