- Where is your office located?
425 S. Financial Place, Suite 1400, Chicago, IL 60605-1000. See Office Information for directions to the CTPF office.
- What are your fax numbers?
312.641.7185, 312.641.7184, and 312.641.6745.
- I need to email a form to CTPF. What’s your email address?
Please submit all forms to imaging@ctpf.org.
- Can I call CTPF and change my address by phone?
CTPF Retirees and Inactive Members will need to complete and return CTPF Form 107 to change their address. Contact CTPF Member Services at 312.641.4464 to request the form. All address changes for Active CTPF Members are reported through the Employers.
- I’m calling to receive information on my pension. I was a crossing guard/tutor/teaching assistant for CPS.
You are actually a member of Municipal Employees’ Annuity and Benefit Fund; they can be reached at 312.236.4700.
- I have 19 years of service and am 60 years old. Can I simply purchase a year so that I can retire now?
No, service years cannot be purchased randomly.
- Can I borrow against my pension?
No, CTPF does not offer loans.
- Can I apply for a partial refund of my contributions?
No, CTPF only offers full refunds of contributions.
- I need to contact CTPF on behalf of my spouse. They are not currently present, and I don’t have a Power of Attorney/Guardianship on file. May I call and receive assistance?
Unfortunately, CTPF cannot speak to third parties without verbal consent from the member or a valid on file with CTPF.
- Should I call CTPF if I received a letter from Social Security, and I believe I am being overcharged for Medicare?
Those questions should be presented to Social Security; they can be contacted at 800.772.1213.
- I would like to withdraw my contributions from CTPF. How do I do so?
You would have to submit a Refund Application. When a CTPF member applies for a refund of their contributions, there is a 60-day mandatory waiting period following the separation date reported by CPS before the refund can begin to be processed. Following the 60-day waiting period, every member’s account undergoes a 12-week audit of their payroll records. Once the audit is complete, the funds can then be distributed. Download the Refund of Contributions information sheet to learn more.
- I’ve completed a new Designation of Beneficiary form. May I fax or email it in?
Any Designation of Beneficiary Form submitted to CTPF must be an original document; it can only be mailed in or brought into the CTPF office.
- What is the best date to retire?
The school year is divided into pay periods. CTPF recommends that you retire at the end of a pay period.
- What should I do when I’m ready to retire?
Before you resign from your employer, arrange to meet with a CTPF pension resource specialist, who will review your record and explore the options available to you.
- What steps must I take once I decide to retire?
You must submit a resignation form to your employer. You will also need to complete a retirement application and submit it, along with the required documents, to CTPF.
- When will I receive my pension check?
It can take up to 60 days to process your retirement application and issue your first pension check. You will then receive a monthly check.
- What will happen to my pension if I go back to work?
Returning to work for the Chicago Public Schools or charter schools (Employer) can impact your pension. If you return to work for an Employer, you must notify CTPF, and the amount of time you can work and the compensation you can earn is restricted by state law. Employment with any entity other than the Employer is not subject to restriction.
- What is the 2.2 upgrade?
If you taught before July 1, 1998, and have at least 1 year of service credit after July 1, 1998, you may be eligible to enhance your pension by upgrading to the 2.2% formula.
- What happens to my survivor’s contribution if I’m not married or in a civil union when I retire?
If you are single, divorced, or widowed when you retire and you do not have minor children, CTPF will refund your survivor pension contributions to you without interest. If you marry or enter a civil union after retirement, you or your spouse or party to a civil union may re-establish a survivor pension by repaying the contributions with 5% compounded interest.
- Do unused sick days help my pension?
CTPF will give service credit for any unused sick days reported to us by your employer. A maximum of 244 unused sick days can be used for service credit.
- Will my family receive any pension benefits after my death?
CTPF benefits may include a survivor pension. A lump sum death benefit and refund of contributions may also be available, but can only be determined upon a member’s death. Learn more about Survivor & Death Benefits.
- Am I automatically enrolled in a health insurance plan when I retire?
No. You must choose coverage for you and your family. CTPF does not offer dental insurance.
- Does CTPF help pay for health insurance?
If your final system is CTPF, you may be eligible for a health insurance premium subsidy to help pay for insurance.
- How does substitute teaching affect our pension?
Substituting for CPS by CTPF pensioners would be limited under the Return to Work rules to 120 days or $30,000.00 a year, whichever comes first.
- How do I get a pension estimate?
Pension estimates are available from CTPF Member Services at 312-641-4464 or memberservices@ctpf.org.
- Can sick days be used as credit towards retirement?
Yes, sick days are used as credit towards retirement. Every 17 days is equivalent to 1 month of service credit.
- Is there a fact sheet or information sheet that states what applies to charter schools only?
The retirement process with CTPF applies to both CPS and Charter schools. The retirement process with your employer can be different. Please inquire with your employer for their resignation process, COBRA enrollment, and options for active benefits upon retirement.
- Are Charter School members eligible for paying for the 2:2 formula?
Any member who was a contributor to CTPF on or after July 1st, 1998 would be eligible to upgrade to 2.2%.
- Do the medical plans include pharmacy?
Yes both Medicare and Non-Medicare plans include prescription drug benefits. Please review the Health Insurance Handbook located on our website www.ctpf.org.