(40 ILCS 5/14-118) (from Ch. 108 1/2, par. 14-118)

Sec. 14-118. Widow's annuity - Conditions for payment. A widow who exercises the right of election to receive an annuity pursuant to this Section is entitled to a lump sum payment of $500 plus a widow's annuity, if:

(1) she was married to the deceased member:

(i) in the case of a member who dies before the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 91st General Assembly, for at least one year prior to his death or retirement, whichever first occurs, and also on the day of the last termination of his service as a State employee; or

(ii) in the case of a member who dies on or after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 91st General Assembly, for at least one year immediately prior to the date of death, regardless of the date of withdrawal;

(2) the deceased member had at least 8 years of creditable service if death occurred while in service, or while on leave of absence from service, or while in receipt of a nonoccupational disability or occupational disability benefit, or after retirement;

(3) she was nominated exclusively to receive the entire death benefit payable under this Article;

(4) death of the member occurred after withdrawal, and he had fulfilled the prescribed age and service conditions for establishing a right in a retirement annuity; and

(5) she elected to receive the widow's annuity within 6 months from the date of death of the employee, otherwise the survivors annuity if applicable, shall be payable.

If a widow's annuity beneficiary becomes entitled to a survivors annuity and a widow's annuity, she shall elect to receive only one of such annuities.

The surviving spouse of a person who (1) died on or after January 1, 1985, (2) withdrew from service prior to August 1, 1953, (3) was receiving an annuity from the system at the time of death, and (4) meets all other requirements of this Section, shall be entitled to the benefits provided under this Section.

A widow's annuity shall be payable beginning on the first of the month following the date of death of the member if the widow has then attained age 50 or, if she is under age 50 on such date, on the first of the month following her attainment of such age; provided, that if an unmarried child or children of the member under age 18 (or under age 22 if a full-time student) also survive him, and the child or children are under the care of the eligible widow, the widow's annuity shall begin on the first of the month following the member's death without regard to the age of the widow. If she is under age 50 at the death of the member and she qualifies for a widow's annuity, she is entitled to receive the lump sum payment immediately upon application, but payment of the widow's annuity shall be deferred as provided above.

The provision for a widow's annuity shall not be construed to affect the payment of a reversionary annuity. If a widow qualifies for more than one widow's annuity, or for a widow's annuity and a survivors annuity, she shall elect to receive only one of such annuities.

This Section shall not apply to the widow of any male person who first became a member after July 19, 1961.

(Source: P.A. 90-448, eff. 8-16-97; 91-887, eff. 7-6-00.)