Public Act 1490 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SB0550 Enrolled LRB096 06603 AMC 16687 b

Public Act 096-1490

AN ACT concerning public employee benefits.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 5. The Illinois Pension Code is amended by changing Sections 1-160, 2-108.1, 2-119, 2-119.01, 2-119.1, 2-121.1, 2-122, 2-126, 8-168, 9-164, 9-220, 11-164, 13-601, 14-103.05, 14-103.10, 15-112, 15-113.6, 15-134, 15-136.3, 15-146, 18-115, 18-125, 18-125.1, 18-127, 18-128.01, and 18-133 as follows:

(40 ILCS 5/1-160)

Sec. 1-160. Provisions applicable to new hires.

(a) The provisions of this Section apply to a person who, on or after January 1, 2011, first becomes a member or an employee and a participant under any reciprocal retirement system or pension fund established under this Code, other than a retirement system or pension fund established under Article 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or 18 of this Code, on or after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 96th General Assembly notwithstanding any other provision of this Code to the contrary, but do not apply to any self-managed plan established under this Code, to any person with respect to service as a sheriff's law enforcement employee under Article 7, or to any participant of the retirement plan established under Section 22-101.

(b) "Final average salary" means the average monthly (or annual) salary obtained by dividing the total salary or earnings calculated under the Article applicable to of the member or participant during the 96 consecutive months (or 8 consecutive years) of service within the last 120 months (or 10 years) of service in which the total salary or earnings calculated under the applicable Article was the highest by the number of months (or years) of service in that period; however, the annual final average salary may not exceed $106,800, as automatically increased by the lesser of 3% or one-half of the annual increase in the consumer price index-u during the preceding 12-month calendar year. For the purposes of a person who first becomes a member or participant an employee of any retirement system or pension fund to which this Section applies on or after January 1, 2011 the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 96th General Assembly, in this Code, "final average salary" shall be substituted for the following:

(1) In Articles 7 (except for service as sheriff's law enforcement employees) and 15, "final rate of earnings".

(2) In Articles 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12, "highest average annual salary for any 4 consecutive years within the last 10 years of service immediately preceding the date of withdrawal".

(3) In Article 13, "average final salary".

(4) In Article 14, "final average compensation".

(5) In Article 17, "average salary".

(6) In Section 22-207, "wages or salary received by him at the date of retirement or discharge".

(b-5) Beginning on January 1, 2011, for all purposes under this Code (including without limitation the calculation of benefits and employee contributions), the annual earnings, salary, or wages (based on the plan year) of a member or participant to whom this Section applies shall not exceed $106,800; however, that amount shall annually thereafter be increased by the lesser of (i) 3% of that amount, including all previous adjustments, or (ii) one-half the annual unadjusted percentage increase (but not less than zero) in the consumer price index-u for the 12 months ending with the September preceding each November 1, including all previous adjustments.

For the purposes of this Section, "consumer price index-u" means the index published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the United States Department of Labor that measures the average change in prices of goods and services purchased by all urban consumers, United States city average, all items, 1982-84 = 100. The new amount resulting from each annual adjustment shall be determined by the Public Pension Division of the Department of Insurance and made available to the boards of the retirement systems and pension funds by November 1 of each year.

(c) A member or participant is entitled to a retirement annuity upon beginning on the date specified by the participant in a written application only if, on that specified date, he or she has attained age 67 and has at least 10 years of service credit and is otherwise eligible under the requirements of the applicable Article.

A member or participant who has attained age 62 and has at least 10 years of service credit and is otherwise eligible under the requirements of the applicable Article may elect to receive the lower retirement annuity provided in subsection (d) of this Section.

(d) The retirement annuity of a member or participant who is retiring after attaining age 62 with at least 10 years of service credit shall be reduced by one-half of 1% for each full month that the member's age is under age 67.

(e) Any retirement annuity or supplemental annuity shall be subject to annual increases on the January 1 occurring either on or after the attainment of age 67 or the first anniversary of the annuity start date, whichever is later upon (1) attainment of age 67 or (2) the first anniversary of the commencement of the annuity, whichever occurs later. Each annual increase shall be calculated at 3% or one-half the annual unadjusted percentage increase (but not less than zero) in the consumer price index-u for the 12 months ending with the September preceding each November 1 for the preceding calendar year, whichever is less, of the originally granted retirement annuity. If the annual unadjusted percentage change increase in the consumer price index-u for the 12 months ending with the September preceding each November 1 calendar year is zero or there is a decrease, then the annuity shall not be increased.

(f) The initial survivor's or widow's annuity of an otherwise eligible survivor or widow of a retired member or participant who first became a member or becomes a participant on or after January 1, 2011 the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 96th General Assembly shall be in the amount of 66 2/3% of the retired member's or participant's earned retirement annuity at the date of death. In the case of the death of a member or participant who has not retired and who first became a member or participant on or after January 1, 2011, eligibility for a survivor's or widow's annuity shall be determined by the applicable Article of this Code. The initial benefit shall be 66 2/3% of the earned annuity without a reduction due to age. A child's annuity of an otherwise eligible child shall be in the amount prescribed under each Article if applicable. Any survivor's or widow's annuity and shall be increased (1) on each January 1 occurring on or after the commencement of the annuity if the deceased member died while receiving a retirement annuity or (2) in other cases, on each January 1 occurring after the first anniversary of the commencement of the annuity. Each annual increase shall be calculated at 3% or one-half the annual unadjusted percentage increase (but not less than zero) in the consumer price index-u for the 12 months ending with the September preceding each November 1 for the preceding calendar year, whichever is less, of the originally granted survivor's annuity. If the annual unadjusted percentage change increase in the consumer price index-u for the 12 months ending with the September preceding each November 1 calendar year is zero or there is a decrease, then the annuity shall not be increased.

(g) The benefits in Section 14-110 apply only if the person is a State policeman, a fire fighter in the fire protection service of a department, or a security employee of the Department of Corrections or the Department of Juvenile Justice, as those terms are defined in subsection (b) of Section 14-110. A person who meets the requirements of this Section is entitled to an annuity calculated under the provisions of Section 14-110, in lieu of the regular or minimum retirement annuity, only if the person has withdrawn from service with not less than 20 years of eligible creditable service and has attained age 60, regardless of whether the attainment of age 60 occurs while the person is still in service.

(h) If a person who first becomes a member or a participant of a retirement system or pension fund subject to this Section on or after January 1, 2011 the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 96th General Assembly is receiving a retirement annuity or retirement pension under that system or fund and becomes a member or participant under accepts employment in a position covered under the same Article or any other system or fund created by Article of this Code and is employed on a full-time basis, except for those members or participants exempted from the provisions of this Section under subsection (a) of this Section, then the person's retirement annuity or retirement pension under that system or fund shall be suspended during that employment. Upon termination of that employment, the person's retirement annuity or retirement pension payments shall resume and, if appropriate, be recalculated if recalculation is provided for under the applicable Article provisions of this Code.

(i) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section, a person who first becomes a participant of the retirement system established under Article 15 on or after January 1, 2011 the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 96th General Assembly shall have the option to enroll in the self-managed plan created under Section 15-158.2 of this Code.

(j) In the case of a conflict between the provisions of this Section and any other provision of this Code, the provisions of this Section shall control.

(Source: P.A. 96-889, eff. 1-1-11.)

(40 ILCS 5/2-108.1) (from Ch. 108 1/2, par. 2-108.1)

(Text of Section after amendment by P.A. 96-889)

Sec. 2-108.1. Highest salary for annuity purposes.

(a) "Highest salary for annuity purposes" means whichever of the following is applicable to the participant:

For a participant who first becomes a participant of this System before August 10, 2009 (the effective date of Public Act 96-207):

(1) For a participant who is a member of the General Assembly on his or her last day of service: the highest salary that is prescribed by law, on the participant's last day of service, for a member of the General Assembly who is not an officer; plus, if the participant was elected or appointed to serve as an officer of the General Assembly for 2 or more years and has made contributions as required under subsection (d) of Section 2-126, the highest additional amount of compensation prescribed by law, at the time of the participant's service as an officer, for members of the General Assembly who serve in that office.

(2) For a participant who holds one of the State executive offices specified in Section 2-105 on his or her last day of service: the highest salary prescribed by law for service in that office on the participant's last day of service.

(3) For a participant who is Clerk or Assistant Clerk of the House of Representatives or Secretary or Assistant Secretary of the Senate on his or her last day of service: the salary received for service in that capacity on the last day of service, but not to exceed the highest salary (including additional compensation for service as an officer) that is prescribed by law on the participant's last day of service for the highest paid officer of the General Assembly.

(4) For a participant who is a continuing participant under Section 2-117.1 on his or her last day of service: the salary received for service in that capacity on the last day of service, but not to exceed the highest salary (including additional compensation for service as an officer) that is prescribed by law on the participant's last day of service for the highest paid officer of the General Assembly.

For a participant who first becomes a participant of this System on or after August 10, 2009 (the effective date of Public Act 96-207) and before January 1, 2011 (the effective date of Public Act 96-889) this amendatory Act of the 96th General Assembly, the average monthly salary obtained by dividing the total salary of the participant during the period of: (1) the 48 consecutive months of service within the last 120 months of service in which the total compensation was the highest, or (2) the total period of service, if less than 48 months, by the number of months of service in that period.

For a participant who first becomes a participant of this System on or after January 1, 2011 (the effective date of Public Act 96-889) this amendatory Act of the 96th General Assembly, the average monthly salary obtained by dividing the total salary of the participant during the 96 consecutive months of service within the last 120 months of service in which the total compensation was the highest by the number of months of service in that period; however, beginning January 1, 2011, the highest salary for annuity purposes may not exceed $106,800, except that that amount shall annually thereafter be increased by the lesser of (i) 3% of that amount, including all previous adjustments, or (ii) the annual unadjusted percentage increase (but not less than zero) the Social Security Covered Wage Base for 2010, and shall automatically be increased or decreased, as applicable, by a percentage equal to the percentage change in the consumer price index-u for the 12 months ending with the September preceding each November 1 during the preceding 12-month calendar year. "Consumer price index-u" means the index published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the United States Department of Labor that measures the average change in prices of goods and services purchased by all urban consumers, United States city average, all items, 1982-84 = 100. The new amount resulting from each annual adjustment shall be determined by the Public Pension Division of the Department of Insurance and made available to the Board by November 1 of each year.

(b) The earnings limitations of subsection (a) apply to earnings under any other participating system under the Retirement Systems Reciprocal Act that are considered in calculating a proportional annuity under this Article, except in the case of a person who first became a member of this System before August 22, 1994.

(c) In calculating the subsection (a) earnings limitation to be applied to earnings under any other participating system under the Retirement Systems Reciprocal Act for the purpose of calculating a proportional annuity under this Article, the participant's last day of service shall be deemed to mean the last day of service in any participating system from which the person has applied for a proportional annuity under the Retirement Systems Reciprocal Act.

(Source: P.A. 96-207, eff. 8-10-09; 96-889, eff. 1-1-11.)

(40 ILCS 5/2-119) (from Ch. 108 1/2, par. 2-119)

(Text of Section after amendment by P.A. 96-889)

Sec. 2-119. Retirement annuity - conditions for eligibility.

(a) A participant whose service as a member is terminated, regardless of age or cause, is entitled to a retirement annuity beginning on the date specified by the participant in a written application subject to the following conditions:

1. The date the annuity begins does not precede the date of final termination of service, or is not more than 30 days before the receipt of the application by the board in the case of annuities based on disability or one year before the receipt of the application in the case of annuities based on attained age;

2. The participant meets one of the following eligibility requirements:

For a participant who first becomes a participant of this System before January 1, 2011 (the effective date of Public Act 96-889) this amendatory Act of the 96th General Assembly:

(A) He or she has attained age 55 and has at least 8 years of service credit;

(B) He or she has attained age 62 and terminated service after July 1, 1971 with at least 4 years of service credit; or

(C) He or she has completed 8 years of service and has become permanently disabled and as a consequence, is unable to perform the duties of his or her office.

For a participant who first becomes a participant of this System on or after January 1, 2011 (the effective date of Public Act 96-889) this amendatory Act of the 96th General Assembly, he or she has attained age 67 and has at least 8 years of service credit.

(a-5) A participant who first becomes a participant of this System on or after January 1, 2011 (the effective date of Public Act 96-889) this amendatory Act of the 96th General Assembly who has attained age 62 and has at least 8 years of service credit may elect to receive the lower retirement annuity provided in paragraph (c) of Section 2-119.01 of this Code.

(b) A participant shall be considered permanently disabled only if: (1) disability occurs while in service and is of such a nature as to prevent him or her from reasonably performing the duties of his or her office at the time; and (2) the board has received a written certificate by at least 2 licensed physicians appointed by the board stating that the member is disabled and that the disability is likely to be permanent.

(Source: P.A. 96-889, eff. 1-1-11.)

(40 ILCS 5/2-119.01) (from Ch. 108 1/2, par. 2-119.01)

(Text of Section after amendment by P.A. 96-889)

Sec. 2-119.01. Retirement annuities - Amount.

(a) For a participant in service after June 30, 1977 who has not made contributions to this System after January 1, 1982, the annual retirement annuity is 3% for each of the first 8 years of service, plus 4% for each of the next 4 years of service, plus 5% for each year of service in excess of 12 years, based on the participant's highest salary for annuity purposes. The maximum retirement annuity payable shall be 80% of the participant's highest salary for annuity purposes.

(b) For a participant in service after June 30, 1977 who has made contributions to this System on or after January 1, 1982, the annual retirement annuity is 3% for each of the first 4 years of service, plus 3 1/2% for each of the next 2 years of service, plus 4% for each of the next 2 years of service, plus 4 1/2% for each of the next 4 years of service, plus 5% for each year of service in excess of 12 years, of the participant's highest salary for annuity purposes. The maximum retirement annuity payable shall be 85% of the participant's highest salary for annuity purposes.

(c) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Article, for a participant who first becomes a participant on or after January 1, 2011 (the effective date of Public Act 96-889) this amendatory Act of the 96th General Assembly, the annual retirement annuity is 3% of the participant's highest salary for annuity purposes for each year of service. The maximum retirement annuity payable shall be 60% of the participant's highest salary for annuity purposes.

(d) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Article, for a participant who first becomes a participant on or after January 1, 2011 (the effective date of Public Act 96-889) this amendatory Act of the 96th General Assembly and who is retiring after attaining age 62 with at least 8 years of service credit, the retirement annuity shall be reduced by one-half of 1% for each month that the member's age is under age 67.

(Source: P.A. 96-889, eff. 1-1-11.)

(40 ILCS 5/2-119.1) (from Ch. 108 1/2, par. 2-119.1)

(Text of Section after amendment by P.A. 96-889)

Sec. 2-119.1. Automatic increase in retirement annuity.

(a) A participant who retires after June 30, 1967, and who has not received an initial increase under this Section before the effective date of this amendatory Act of 1991, shall, in January or July next following the first anniversary of retirement, whichever occurs first, and in the same month of each year thereafter, but in no event prior to age 60, have the amount of the originally granted retirement annuity increased as follows: for each year through 1971, 1 1/2%; for each year from 1972 through 1979, 2%; and for 1980 and each year thereafter, 3%. Annuitants who have received an initial increase under this subsection prior to the effective date of this amendatory Act of 1991 shall continue to receive their annual increases in the same month as the initial increase.

(b) Beginning January 1, 1990, for eligible participants who remain in service after attaining 20 years of creditable service, the 3% increases provided under subsection (a) shall begin to accrue on the January 1 next following the date upon which the participant (1) attains age 55, or (2) attains 20 years of creditable service, whichever occurs later, and shall continue to accrue while the participant remains in service; such increases shall become payable on January 1 or July 1, whichever occurs first, next following the first anniversary of retirement. For any person who has service credit in the System for the entire period from January 15, 1969 through December 31, 1992, regardless of the date of termination of service, the reference to age 55 in clause (1) of this subsection (b) shall be deemed to mean age 50.

This subsection (b) does not apply to any person who first becomes a member of the System after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 93rd General Assembly.

(b-5) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Article, a participant who first becomes a participant on or after January 1, 2011 (the effective date of Public Act 96-889) this amendatory Act of the 96th General Assembly shall, in January or July next following the first anniversary of retirement, whichever occurs first, and in the same month of each year thereafter, but in no event prior to age 67, have the amount of the retirement annuity then being paid increased by 3% or the annual unadjusted percentage increase change in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers as determined by the Public Pension Division of the Department of Insurance under subsection (a) of Section 2-108.1, whichever is less.

(c) The foregoing provisions relating to automatic increases are not applicable to a participant who retires before having made contributions (at the rate prescribed in Section 2-126) for automatic increases for less than the equivalent of one full year. However, in order to be eligible for the automatic increases, such a participant may make arrangements to pay to the system the amount required to bring the total contributions for the automatic increase to the equivalent of one year's contributions based upon his or her last salary.

(d) A participant who terminated service prior to July 1, 1967, with at least 14 years of service is entitled to an increase in retirement annuity beginning January, 1976, and to additional increases in January of each year thereafter.

The initial increase shall be 1 1/2% of the originally granted retirement annuity multiplied by the number of full years that the annuitant was in receipt of such annuity prior to January 1, 1972, plus 2% of the originally granted retirement annuity for each year after that date. The subsequent annual increases shall be at the rate of 2% of the originally granted retirement annuity for each year through 1979 and at the rate of 3% for 1980 and thereafter.

(e) Beginning January 1, 1990, all automatic annual increases payable under this Section shall be calculated as a percentage of the total annuity payable at the time of the increase, including previous increases granted under this Article.

(Source: P.A. 96-889, eff. 1-1-11.)

(40 ILCS 5/2-121.1) (from Ch. 108 1/2, par. 2-121.1)

(Text of Section after amendment by P.A. 96-889)

Sec. 2-121.1. Survivor's annuity - amount.

(a) A surviving spouse shall be entitled to 66 2/3% of the amount of retirement annuity to which the participant or annuitant was entitled on the date of death, without regard to whether the participant had attained age 55 prior to his or her death, subject to a minimum payment of 10% of salary. If a surviving spouse, regardless of age, has in his or her care at the date of death any eligible child or children of the participant, the survivor's annuity shall be the greater of the following: (1) 66 2/3% of the amount of retirement annuity to which the participant or annuitant was entitled on the date of death, or (2) 30% of the participant's salary increased by 10% of salary on account of each such child, subject to a total payment for the surviving spouse and children of 50% of salary. If eligible children survive but there is no surviving spouse, or if the surviving spouse dies or becomes disqualified by remarriage while eligible children survive, each eligible child shall be entitled to an annuity of 20% of salary, subject to a maximum total payment for all such children of 50% of salary.

However, the survivor's annuity payable under this Section shall not be less than 100% of the amount of retirement annuity to which the participant or annuitant was entitled on the date of death, if he or she is survived by a dependent disabled child.

The salary to be used for determining these benefits shall be the salary used for determining the amount of retirement annuity as provided in Section 2-119.01.

(b) Upon the death of a participant after the termination of service or upon death of an annuitant, the maximum total payment to a surviving spouse and eligible children, or to eligible children alone if there is no surviving spouse, shall be 75% of the retirement annuity to which the participant or annuitant was entitled, unless there is a dependent disabled child among the survivors.

(c) When a child ceases to be an eligible child, the annuity to that child, or to the surviving spouse on account of that child, shall thereupon cease, and the annuity payable to the surviving spouse or other eligible children shall be recalculated if necessary.

Upon the ineligibility of the last eligible child, the annuity shall immediately revert to the amount payable upon death of a participant or annuitant who leaves no eligible children. If the surviving spouse is then under age 50, the annuity as revised shall be deferred until the attainment of age 50.

(d) Beginning January 1, 1990, every survivor's annuity shall be increased (1) on each January 1 occurring on or after the commencement of the annuity if the deceased member died while receiving a retirement annuity, or (2) in other cases, on each January 1 occurring on or after the first anniversary of the commencement of the annuity, by an amount equal to 3% of the current amount of the annuity, including any previous increases under this Article. Such increases shall apply without regard to whether the deceased member was in service on or after the effective date of this amendatory Act of 1991, but shall not accrue for any period prior to January 1, 1990.

(d-5) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Article, the initial survivor's annuity of a survivor of a participant who first becomes a participant on or after January 1, 2011 (the effective date of Public Act 96-889) this amendatory Act of the 96th General Assembly shall be in the amount of 66 2/3% of the amount of the retirement annuity to which the participant or annuitant was entitled on the date of death and shall be increased (1) on each January 1 occurring on or after the commencement of the annuity if the deceased member died while receiving a retirement annuity or (2) in other cases, on each January 1 occurring on or after the first anniversary of the commencement of the annuity, by an amount equal to 3% or the annual unadjusted percentage increase change in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers as determined by the Public Pension Division of the Department of Insurance under subsection (a) of Section 2-108.1, whichever is less, of the survivor's annuity then being paid.

(e) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Article, beginning January 1, 1990, the minimum survivor's annuity payable to any person who is entitled to receive a survivor's annuity under this Article shall be $300 per month, without regard to whether or not the deceased participant was in service on the effective date of this amendatory Act of 1989.

(f) In the case of a proportional survivor's annuity arising under the Retirement Systems Reciprocal Act where the amount payable by the System on January 1, 1993 is less than $300 per month, the amount payable by the System shall be increased beginning on that date by a monthly amount equal to $2 for each full year that has expired since the annuity began.

(Source: P.A. 96-889, eff. 1-1-11.)

(40 ILCS 5/2-122) (from Ch. 108 1/2, par. 2-122)

(Text of Section after amendment by P.A. 96-889)

Sec. 2-122. Re-entry after retirement. An annuitant who re-enters service as a member shall become a participant on the date of re-entry and retirement annuity payments shall cease at that time. The participant shall resume contributions to the system on the date of re-entry at the rates then in effect and shall begin to accrue additional service credit. He or she shall be entitled to all rights and privileges in the system, including death and disability benefits, subject to the limitations herein provided, except refund of retirement annuity contributions.

Upon subsequent retirement, the participant shall be entitled to a retirement annuity consisting of: (1) the amount of retirement annuity previously granted and terminated by re-entry into service; and (2) the amount of additional retirement annuity earned during the additional service based on the provisions in effect at the date of such subsequent retirement. However, the total retirement annuity shall not exceed the maximum retirement annuity applicable at the date of the participant's last retirement. If the salary of the participant following the latest re-entry into service is higher than that in effect at the date of the previous retirement and the participant restores to the system all amounts previously received as retirement annuity payments, upon subsequent retirement, the retirement annuity shall be recalculated for all service credited under the system as though the participant had not previously retired.

The repayment of retirement annuity payments must be made by the participant in a single sum or by a withholding from salary within a period of 6 years from date of re-entry and in any event before subsequent retirement. If previous annuity payments have not been repaid to the system at the date of death of the participant, any remaining balance must be fully repaid to the system before any further annuity shall be payable.

Such member, if unmarried at date of his last retirement, shall also be entitled to a refund of widow's and widower's annuity contributions, without interest, covering the period from the date of re-entry into service to the date of last retirement.

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Article, if a person who first becomes a participant under this System on or after January 1, 2011 (the effective date of Public Act 96-889) this amendatory Act of the 96th General Assembly is receiving a retirement annuity under this Article and becomes a member or participant accepts employment in a position covered under this Article or any other Article of this Code and is employed on a full-time basis, then the person's retirement annuity under this System shall be suspended during that employment. Upon termination of that employment, the person's retirement annuity shall resume and, if appropriate, be recalculated under the applicable provisions of this Article.

(Source: P.A. 96-889, eff. 1-1-11.)

(40 ILCS 5/2-126) (from Ch. 108 1/2, par. 2-126)

Sec. 2-126. Contributions by participants.

(a) Each participant shall contribute toward the cost of his or her retirement annuity a percentage of each payment of salary received by him or her for service as a member as follows: for service between October 31, 1947 and January 1, 1959, 5%; for service between January 1, 1959 and June 30, 1969, 6%; for service between July 1, 1969 and January 10, 1973, 6 1/2%; for service after January 10, 1973, 7%; for service after December 31, 1981, 8 1/2%.

(b) Beginning August 2, 1949, each male participant, and from July 1, 1971, each female participant shall contribute towards the cost of the survivor's annuity 2% of salary.

A participant who has no eligible survivor's annuity beneficiary may elect to cease making contributions for survivor's annuity under this subsection. A survivor's annuity shall not be payable upon the death of a person who has made this election, unless prior to that death the election has been revoked and the amount of the contributions that would have been paid under this subsection in the absence of the election is paid to the System, together with interest at the rate of 4% per year from the date the contributions would have been made to the date of payment.

(c) Beginning July 1, 1967, each participant shall contribute 1% of salary towards the cost of automatic increase in annuity provided in Section 2-119.1. These contributions shall be made concurrently with contributions for retirement annuity purposes.

(d) In addition, each participant serving as an officer of the General Assembly shall contribute, for the same purposes and at the same rates as are required of a regular participant, on each additional payment received as an officer. If the participant serves as an officer for at least 2 but less than 4 years, he or she shall contribute an amount equal to the amount that would have been contributed had the participant served as an officer for 4 years. Persons who serve as officers in the 87th General Assembly but cannot receive the additional payment to officers because of the ban on increases in salary during their terms may nonetheless make contributions based on those additional payments for the purpose of having the additional payments included in their highest salary for annuity purposes; however, persons electing to make these additional contributions must also pay an amount representing the corresponding employer contributions, as calculated by the System.

(e) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Article, the required contribution of a participant who first becomes a participant on or after January 1, 2011 shall not exceed the contribution that would be due under this Article if that participant's highest salary for annuity purposes were $106,800, plus any increases in that amount under Section 2-108.1.

(Source: P.A. 90-766, eff. 8-14-98.)

(40 ILCS 5/8-168) (from Ch. 108 1/2, par. 8-168)

Sec. 8-168. Refunds - Withdrawal before age 55 or age 62 or with less than 10 years of service.

1. An employee who first became a member before January 1, 2011, without regard to length of service, who withdraws before age 55, and any employee with less than 10 years of service who withdraws before age 60, shall be entitled to a refund of the accumulated sums to his credit, as of the date of withdrawal, for age and service annuity and widow's annuity from amounts contributed by him, including interest credited and including amounts contributed for him for age and service and widow's annuity purposes by the city while receiving duty disability benefits; provided that such amounts contributed by the city after December 31, 1981, while the employee is receiving duty disability benefits, and amounts credited to the employee for annuity purposes by the fund after December 31, 2000, while the employee is receiving ordinary disability benefits, shall not be credited for refund purposes. If he is a present employee he shall also be entitled to a refund of the accumulations from any sums contributed by him, and applied to any municipal pension fund superseded by this fund.

An employee who first becomes a member on or after January 1, 2011 who withdraws before age 62 without regard to length of service, or who withdraws with less than 10 years of service regardless of age, shall be entitled to a refund of the total sum accumulated to his credit as of date of withdrawal for age and service annuity and widow's annuity provided that such amounts contributed by the city while the employee is receiving duty disability benefits and amounts credited to the employee for annuity purposes by the fund while the employee is receiving ordinary disability benefits shall not be credited for refund purposes.

2. Upon receipt of the refund, the employee surrenders and forfeits all rights to any annuity or other benefits, for himself and for any other persons who might have benefited through him; provided that he may have such period of service counted in computing the term of his service if he becomes an employee before age 65, excepting as limited by the provisions of paragraph (a) (3) of Section 8-232 of this Article relating to the basis of computing the term of service.

3. Any such employee shall retain such right to a refund of such amounts when he shall apply for same until he re-enters the service or until the amount of annuity shall have been fixed as provided in this Article. Thereafter, no such right shall exist in the case of any such employee.

4. Any such municipal employee who shall have served 10 or more years and who shall not withdraw the amounts aforesaid to which he shall have a right of refund shall have a right to annuity as stated in this Article.

5. Any such municipal employee who shall have served less than 10 years and who shall not withdraw the amounts to which he shall have a right to refund shall have a right to have all such amounts and all other amounts to his credit for annuity purposes on date of his withdrawal from service retained to his credit and improved by interest while he shall be out of the service at the rate of 3 1/2% or 3% per annum (whichever rate shall apply under the provisions of Section 8-155 of this Article) and used for annuity purposes for his benefit and the benefit of any person who may have any right to annuity through him because of his service, according to the provisions of this Article in the event that he shall subsequently re-enter the service and complete the number of years of service necessary to attain a right to annuity; but such sum shall be improved by interest to his credit while he shall be out of the service only until he shall have become 65 years of age.

(Source: P.A. 92-599, eff. 6-28-02.)

(40 ILCS 5/9-164) (from Ch. 108 1/2, par. 9-164)

Sec. 9-164. Refunds - Withdrawal before age 55 or with less than 10 years of service.

(1) An employee, without regard to length of service, who withdraws before age 55 (age 62 for an employee who first becomes a member on or after January 1, 2011), and any employee with less than 10 years of service who withdraws before age 60, and any employee who first becomes a member on or after January 1, 2011 who withdraws with less than 10 years of service, shall be entitled to a refund of the total sums accumulated to his credit as of date of withdrawal for age and service annuity and widow's annuity resulting from amounts contributed by him or by the county in lieu of employee contributions during duty disability. If he is a present employee he shall also be entitled to a refund of the total sum accumulated from any sums contributed by him and applied to any county pension fund superseded by this fund. An employee withdrawing on or after January 1, 1984 may receive a refund only after he has been off the payroll for at least 30 days during which time he has received no salary.

(2) Upon receipt of the refund, the employee surrenders and forfeits all rights to any annuity or other benefits for himself and for any other persons who might have benefited through him; provided that he may have any such period of service counted in computing the term of his service - for age and service annuity purposes only - if he becomes an employee before age 65, excepting as limited by the provisions of this Article relating to the basis of computing the term of service.

(3) An employee who does not receive a refund shall have all amounts to his credit for annuity purposes on the date of his withdrawal improved by interest only until he becomes 65 while out of service at the effective rate for his benefit and the benefit of any person who may have any right to annuity through him if he re-enters service and attains a right to annuity.

(4) Any such employee shall retain such right to a refund of such amounts when he shall apply for same until he re-enters the service or until the amount of annuity shall have been fixed as provided in this Article. Thereafter, no such right shall exist in the case of any such employee.

(Source: P.A. 83-869.)

(40 ILCS 5/9-220) (from Ch. 108 1/2, par. 9-220)

Sec. 9-220. Basis of service credit.

(a) In computing the period of service of any employee for annuity purposes under Section 9-134, the following provisions shall govern:

(1) All periods prior to the effective date shall be computed in accordance with the provisions governing the computation of such service.

(2) Service on or after the effective date shall include:

(i) The actual period of time the employee contributes or has contributed to the fund for service rendered to age 65 plus the actual period of time after age 65 for which the employee performs the duties of his position or performs such duties and is given a county contribution for age and service annuity or minimum annuity purposes.

(ii) Leaves of absence from duty, or vacation, for which an employee receives all or part of his salary.

(iii) Accumulated vacation or other time for which an employee who retires on or after November 1, 1990 receives a lump sum payment at the time of retirement, provided that contributions were made to the fund at the time such lump sum payment was received. The service granted for the lump sum payment shall not change the employee's date of withdrawal for computing the effective date of the annuity.

(iv) Accumulated sick leave as of the date of the employee's withdrawal from service, not to exceed a total of 180 days, provided that the amount of such accumulated sick leave is certified by the County Comptroller to the Board and the employee pays an amount equal to 8.5% (9% for members of the County Police Department who are eligible to receive an annuity under Section 9-128.1) of the amount that would have been paid had such accumulated sick leave been paid at the employee's final rate of salary. Such payment shall be made within 30 days after the date of withdrawal and prior to receipt of the first annuity check. The service credit granted for such accumulated sick leave shall not change the employee's date of withdrawal for the purpose of computing the effective date of the annuity.

(v) Periods during which the employee has had contributions for annuity purposes made for him in accordance with law while on military leave of absence during World War II.

(vi) Periods during which the employee receives a disability benefit under this Article.

(vii) For any person who first becomes a member on or after January 1, 2011, the actual period of time the employee contributes or has contributed to the fund for service rendered up to the limitation on salary in subsection (b-5) of Section 1-160 plus the actual period of time thereafter for which the employee performs the duties of his position and ceased contributing due to the salary limitation in subsection (b-5) of Section 1-160.

(3) The right to have certain periods of time considered as service as stated in paragraph (2) of Section 9-164 shall not apply for annuity purposes unless the refunds shall have been repaid in accordance with this Article.

(4) All service shall be computed in whole calendar months, and at least 15 days of service in any one calendar month shall constitute one calendar month of service, and 1 year of service shall be equal to the number of months, days or hours for which an appropriation was made in the annual appropriation ordinance for the position held by the employee.

(b) For all other annuity purposes of this Article the following schedule shall govern the computation of a year of service of an employee whose salary or wages is on the basis stated, and any fractional part of a year of service shall be determined according to said schedule:

Annual or Monthly Basis: Service during 4 months in any 1 calendar year;

Weekly Basis: Service during any 17 weeks of any 1 calendar year, and service during any week shall constitute a week of service;

Daily Basis: Service during 100 days in any 1 calendar year, and service during any day shall constitute a day of service;

Hourly Basis: Service during 800 hours in any 1 calendar year, and service during any hour shall constitute an hour of service.

(Source: P.A. 86-1488; 87-794.)

(40 ILCS 5/11-164) (from Ch. 108 1/2, par. 11-164)

Sec. 11-164. Refunds - Withdrawal before age 55 or age 62 or with less than 10 years of service.

(1) An employee who first became a member before January 1, 2011, without regard to length of service, who withdraws before age 55, and any employee with less than 10 years of service who withdraws before age 60, shall be entitled to a refund of the total sum accumulated to his credit as of date of withdrawal for age and service annuity and widow's annuity from amounts contributed by him or by the City in lieu of employee contributions during duty disability; provided that such amounts contributed by the city after December 31, 1983 while the employee is receiving duty disability benefits and amounts credited to the employee for annuity purposes by the fund after December 31, 2000 while the employee is receiving ordinary disability benefits shall not be credited for refund purposes.

An employee who first becomes a member on or after January 1, 2011 who withdraws before age 62 without regard to length of service, or who withdraws with less than 10 years of service regardless of age, shall be entitled to a refund of the total sum accumulated to his credit as of date of withdrawal for age and service annuity and widow's annuity provided that such amounts contributed by the city while the employee is receiving duty disability benefits and amounts credited to the employee for annuity purposes by the fund while the employee is receiving ordinary disability benefits shall not be credited for refund purposes.

The board may in its discretion withhold payment of refund for a period not to exceed 6 months from the date of withdrawal. Interest at the effective rate shall be paid on any such refund withheld during such withheld period not to exceed 6 months.

(2) Upon receipt of the refund, the employee surrenders and forfeits all rights to any annuity or other benefits, for himself and for any other persons who might have benefited through him; provided that he may have such period of service counted in computing the term of his service for age and service annuity purposes only if he becomes an employee before age 65.

(3) An employee who does not receive a refund shall have all amounts to his credit for annuity purposes on the date of his withdrawal improved by interest only until he becomes age 65, while out of service, at the effective rate, for his benefit and the benefit of any person who may have any right to annuity through him if he re-enters the service and attains a right to annuity.

(4) Any such employee shall retain such right to refund of such amounts when he shall apply for same, until he re-enters the service or until the amount of annuity to which he shall have a right shall have been fixed as provided in this Article. Thereafter, no such right shall exist in the case of any such employee.

(Source: P.A. 92-599, eff. 6-28-02.)

(40 ILCS 5/13-601) (from Ch. 108 1/2, par. 13-601)

Sec. 13-601. Refunds.

(a) Withdrawal from service. Upon withdrawal from service, an employee who first became a member before January 1, 2011, who is under age 55 (age 50 if the employee first entered service before June 13, 1997), or an employee age 55 (age 50 if the employee first entered service before June 13, 1997) or over but less than age 60 having less than 20 years of service, or an employee age 60 or over having less than 5 years of service shall be entitled, upon application, to a refund of total contributions from salary deductions or amounts otherwise paid under this Article by the employee. An employee who first becomes a member on or after January 1, 2011, who withdraws before age 62 regardless of length of service, or who withdraws with less than 10 years of service regardless of age is entitled to a refund of total contributions from salary deductions or amounts otherwise paid under this Article by the employee. The refund shall not include interest credited to the contributions. The Board may, in its discretion, withhold payment of a refund for a period not to exceed one year from the date of filing an application for refund.

(b) Surviving spouse's annuity contributions. A refund of all amounts deducted from salary or otherwise contributed by an employee for the surviving spouse's annuity shall be paid upon retirement to any employee who on the date of retirement is either not married or is married but whose spouse is not eligible for a surviving spouse's annuity paid wholly or in part under this Article. The refund shall include interest on each contribution at the rate of 3% per annum compounded annually from the date of the contribution to the date of the refund.

(c) Payment of Refunds After Death. Whenever any refund is payable after the death of the employee or annuitant as provided for in this Article, the refund shall be paid as follows: to the employee's surviving spouse, but if there is no surviving spouse then in accordance with the employee's written designation of beneficiary filed with the Board on the prescribed form before the employee's death. If there is no such designation of beneficiary, then to the employee's surviving children in equal parts to each. If there are no such children, the refund shall be paid to the heirs of the employee according to the law of descent and distribution of the State of Illinois.

If a personal representative of the estate has not been appointed within 90 days from the date on which a refund became payable, the refund may be applied, in the discretion of the Board, toward the payment of the employee's or the surviving spouse's burial expenses. Any remaining balance shall be paid to the heirs of the employee according to the law of descent and distribution of the State of Illinois.

Whenever the total accumulations to the account of an employee from employee contributions other than the contribution for the cost of living increase, including interest to the employee's date of withdrawal, have not been paid to the employee and surviving spouse as a retirement or spouse's annuity before the death of the employee and spouse, a refund shall be paid as follows: an amount equal to the excess of such amounts over the amounts paid on such annuities without interest on either such amount.

If a reversionary annuity becomes payable under Section 13-303, the refund provided in this section shall not be paid until the death of the reversionary annuitant and the refund otherwise payable under this section shall be then further reduced by the amount of the reversionary annuity paid.

(d) In lieu of annuity. Notwithstanding the provisions set forth in subsection (a) of this section, whenever an employee's or surviving spouse's annuity will be less than $200 per month, the employee or surviving spouse, as the case may be, may elect to receive a refund of accumulated employee contributions; provided, however, that if the election is made by a surviving spouse the refund shall be reduced by any amounts theretofore paid to the employee in the form of an annuity.

(e) Forfeiture of rights. An employee or surviving spouse who receives a refund forfeits the right to receive an annuity or any other benefit payable under this Article except that if the refund is to a surviving spouse, any child or children of the employee shall not be deprived of the right to receive a child's annuity as provided in Section 13-308 of this Article, and the payment of a child's annuity shall not reduce the amount refundable to the surviving spouse.

(Source: P.A. 95-586, eff. 8-31-07; 96-251, eff. 8-11-09.)

(40 ILCS 5/14-103.05) (from Ch. 108 1/2, par. 14-103.05)

Sec. 14-103.05. Employee.

(a) Any person employed by a Department who receives salary for personal services rendered to the Department on a warrant issued pursuant to a payroll voucher certified by a Department and drawn by the State Comptroller upon the State Treasurer, including an elected official described in subparagraph (d) of Section 14-104, shall become an employee for purpose of membership in the Retirement System on the first day of such employment.

A person entering service on or after January 1, 1972 and prior to January 1, 1984 shall become a member as a condition of employment and shall begin making contributions as of the first day of employment.

A person entering service on or after January 1, 1984 shall, upon completion of 6 months of continuous service which is not interrupted by a break of more than 2 months, become a member as a condition of employment. Contributions shall begin the first of the month after completion of the qualifying period.

A person employed by the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning on the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 95th General Assembly who was a member of this System as an employee of the Chicago Area Transportation Study and makes an election under Section 14-104.13 to participate in this System for his or her employment with the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning.

The qualifying period of 6 months of service is not applicable to: (1) a person who has been granted credit for service in a position covered by the State Universities Retirement System, the Teachers' Retirement System of the State of Illinois, the General Assembly Retirement System, or the Judges Retirement System of Illinois unless that service has been forfeited under the laws of those systems; (2) a person entering service on or after July 1, 1991 in a noncovered position; or (3) a person to whom Section 14-108.2a or 14-108.2b applies; or (4) a person to whom subsection (a-5) of this Section applies.

(a-5) A person entering service on or after December 1, 2010 shall become a member as a condition of employment and shall begin making contributions as of the first day of employment. A person serving in the qualifying period on December 1, 2010 will become a member on December 1, 2010 and shall begin making contributions as of December 1, 2010.

(b) The term "employee" does not include the following:

(1) members of the State Legislature, and persons electing to become members of the General Assembly Retirement System pursuant to Section 2-105;

(2) incumbents of offices normally filled by vote of the people;

(3) except as otherwise provided in this Section, any person appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate unless that person elects to participate in this system;

(3.1) any person serving as a commissioner of an ethics commission created under the State Officials and Employees Ethics Act unless that person elects to participate in this system with respect to that service as a commissioner;

(3.2) any person serving as a part-time employee in any of the following positions: Legislative Inspector General, Special Legislative Inspector General, employee of the Office of the Legislative Inspector General, Executive Director of the Legislative Ethics Commission, or staff of the Legislative Ethics Commission, regardless of whether he or she is in active service on or after July 8, 2004 (the effective date of Public Act 93-685), unless that person elects to participate in this System with respect to that service; in this item (3.2), a "part-time employee" is a person who is not required to work at least 35 hours per week;

(3.3) any person who has made an election under Section 1-123 and who is serving either as legal counsel in the Office of the Governor or as Chief Deputy Attorney General;

(4) except as provided in Section 14-108.2 or 14-108.2c, any person who is covered or eligible to be covered by the Teachers' Retirement System of the State of Illinois, the State Universities Retirement System, or the Judges Retirement System of Illinois;

(5) an employee of a municipality or any other political subdivision of the State;

(6) any person who becomes an employee after June 30, 1979 as a public service employment program participant under the Federal Comprehensive Employment and Training Act and whose wages or fringe benefits are paid in whole or in part by funds provided under such Act;

(7) enrollees of the Illinois Young Adult Conservation Corps program, administered by the Department of Natural Resources, authorized grantee pursuant to Title VIII of the "Comprehensive Employment and Training Act of 1973", 29 USC 993, as now or hereafter amended;

(8) enrollees and temporary staff of programs administered by the Department of Natural Resources under the Youth Conservation Corps Act of 1970;

(9) any person who is a member of any professional licensing or disciplinary board created under an Act administered by the Department of Professional Regulation or a successor agency or created or re-created after the effective date of this amendatory Act of 1997, and who receives per diem compensation rather than a salary, notwithstanding that such per diem compensation is paid by warrant issued pursuant to a payroll voucher; such persons have never been included in the membership of this System, and this amendatory Act of 1987 (P.A. 84-1472) is not intended to effect any change in the status of such persons;

(10) any person who is a member of the Illinois Health Care Cost Containment Council, and receives per diem compensation rather than a salary, notwithstanding that such per diem compensation is paid by warrant issued pursuant to a payroll voucher; such persons have never been included in the membership of this System, and this amendatory Act of 1987 is not intended to effect any change in the status of such persons;

(11) any person who is a member of the Oil and Gas Board created by Section 1.2 of the Illinois Oil and Gas Act, and receives per diem compensation rather than a salary, notwithstanding that such per diem compensation is paid by warrant issued pursuant to a payroll voucher; or

(12) a person employed by the State Board of Higher Education in a position with the Illinois Century Network as of June 30, 2004, who remains continuously employed after that date by the Department of Central Management Services in a position with the Illinois Century Network and participates in the Article 15 system with respect to that employment.

(c) An individual who represents or is employed as an officer or employee of a statewide labor organization that represents members of this System may participate in the System and shall be deemed an employee, provided that (1) the individual has previously earned creditable service under this Article, (2) the individual files with the System an irrevocable election to become a participant within 6 months after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 94th General Assembly, and (3) the individual does not receive credit for that employment under any other provisions of this Code. An employee under this subsection (c) is responsible for paying to the System both (i) employee contributions based on the actual compensation received for service with the labor organization and (ii) employer contributions based on the percentage of payroll certified by the board; all or any part of these contributions may be paid on the employee's behalf or picked up for tax purposes (if authorized under federal law) by the labor organization.

A person who is an employee as defined in this subsection (c) may establish service credit for similar employment prior to becoming an employee under this subsection by paying to the System for that employment the contributions specified in this subsection, plus interest at the effective rate from the date of service to the date of payment. However, credit shall not be granted under this subsection (c) for any such prior employment for which the applicant received credit under any other provision of this Code or during which the applicant was on a leave of absence.

(Source: P.A. 94-1111, eff. 2-27-07; 95-677, eff. 10-11-07.)

(40 ILCS 5/14-103.10) (from Ch. 108 1/2, par. 14-103.10)

Sec. 14-103.10. Compensation.

(a) For periods of service prior to January 1, 1978, the full rate of salary or wages payable to an employee for personal services performed if he worked the full normal working period for his position, subject to the following maximum amounts: (1) prior to July 1, 1951, $400 per month or $4,800 per year; (2) between July 1, 1951 and June 30, 1957 inclusive, $625 per month or $7,500 per year; (3) beginning July 1, 1957, no limitation.

In the case of service of an employee in a position involving part-time employment, compensation shall be determined according to the employees' earnings record.

(b) For periods of service on and after January 1, 1978, all remuneration for personal services performed defined as "wages" under the Social Security Enabling Act, including that part of such remuneration which is in excess of any maximum limitation provided in such Act, and including any benefits received by an employee under a sick pay plan in effect before January 1, 1981, but excluding lump sum salary payments:

(1) for vacation,

(2) for accumulated unused sick leave,

(3) upon discharge or dismissal,

(4) for approved holidays.

(c) For periods of service on or after December 16, 1978, compensation also includes any benefits, other than lump sum salary payments made at termination of employment, which an employee receives or is eligible to receive under a sick pay plan authorized by law.

(d) For periods of service after September 30, 1985, compensation also includes any remuneration for personal services not included as "wages" under the Social Security Enabling Act, which is deducted for purposes of participation in a program established pursuant to Section 125 of the Internal Revenue Code or its successor laws.

(e) For members for which Section 1-160 applies for periods of service on and after January 1, 2011, all remuneration for personal services performed defined as "wages" under the Social Security Enabling Act, excluding remuneration that is in excess of the annual earnings, salary, or wages of a member or participant, as provided in subsection (b-5) of Section 1-160, but including any benefits received by an employee under a sick pay plan in effect before January 1, 1981. Compensation shall exclude lump sum salary payments:

(1) for vacation;

(2) for accumulated unused sick leave;

(3) upon discharge or dismissal; and

(4) for approved holidays.

(Source: P.A. 87-1265.)

(40 ILCS 5/15-112) (from Ch. 108 1/2, par. 15-112)

Sec. 15-112. Final rate of earnings.

"Final rate of earnings":

(a) This subsection (a) applies only to a person who first becomes a participant of any system before January 1, 2011.

For an employee who is paid on an hourly basis or who receives an annual salary in installments during 12 months of each academic year, the average annual earnings during the 48 consecutive calendar month period ending with the last day of final termination of employment or the 4 consecutive academic years of service in which the employee's earnings were the highest, whichever is greater. For any other employee, the average annual earnings during the 4 consecutive academic years of service in which his or her earnings were the highest. For an employee with less than 48 months or 4 consecutive academic years of service, the average earnings during his or her entire period of service. The earnings of an employee with more than 36 months of service prior to the date of becoming a participant are, for such period, considered equal to the average earnings during the last 36 months of such service.

(b) This subsection (b) applies to a person to whom subsection (a) does not apply.

For an employee who is paid on an hourly basis or who receives an annual salary in installments during 12 months of each academic year, the average annual earnings obtained by dividing by 8 the total earnings of the employee during the 96 consecutive months in which the total earnings were the highest within the last 120 months prior to termination.

For any other employee, the average annual earnings during the 8 consecutive academic years within the 10 years prior to termination in which the employee's earnings were the highest. For an employee with less than 96 consecutive months or 8 consecutive academic years of service, whichever is necessary, the average earnings during his or her entire period of service.

(c) For an employee on leave of absence with pay, or on leave of absence without pay who makes contributions during such leave, earnings are assumed to be equal to the basic compensation on the date the leave began.

(d) For an employee on disability leave, earnings are assumed to be equal to the basic compensation on the date disability occurs or the average earnings during the 24 months immediately preceding the month in which disability occurs, whichever is greater.

(e) For a participant who retires on or after the effective date of this amendatory Act of 1997 with at least 20 years of service as a firefighter or police officer under this Article, the final rate of earnings shall be the annual rate of earnings received by the participant on his or her last day as a firefighter or police officer under this Article, if that is greater than the final rate of earnings as calculated under the other provisions of this Section.

(f) If a participant to whom subsection (a) of this Section applies is an employee for at least 6 months during the academic year in which his or her employment is terminated, the annual final rate of earnings shall be 25% of the sum of (1) the annual basic compensation for that year, and (2) the amount earned during the 36 months immediately preceding that year, if this is greater than the final rate of earnings as calculated under the other provisions of this Section.

(g) In the determination of the final rate of earnings for an employee, that part of an employee's earnings for any academic year beginning after June 30, 1997, which exceeds the employee's earnings with that employer for the preceding year by more than 20 percent shall be excluded; in the event that an employee has more than one employer this limitation shall be calculated separately for the earnings with each employer. In making such calculation, only the basic compensation of employees shall be considered, without regard to vacation or overtime or to contracts for summer employment.

(h) The following are not considered as earnings in determining final rate of earnings: (1) severance or separation pay, (2) retirement pay, (3) payment for unused sick leave, and (4) payments from an employer for the period used in determining final rate of earnings for any purpose other than (i) services rendered, (ii) leave of absence or vacation granted during that period, and (iii) vacation of up to 56 work days allowed upon termination of employment; except that, if the benefit has been collectively bargained between the employer and the recognized collective bargaining agent pursuant to the Illinois Educational Labor Relations Act, payment received during a period of up to 2 academic years for unused sick leave may be considered as earnings in accordance with the applicable collective bargaining agreement, subject to the 20% increase limitation of this Section. Any unused sick leave considered as earnings under this Section shall not be taken into account in calculating service credit under Section 15-113.4.

(i) Intermittent periods of service shall be considered as consecutive in determining final rate of earnings.

(Source: P.A. 92-599, eff. 6-28-02; 93-347, eff. 7-24-03.)

(40 ILCS 5/15-113.6) (from Ch. 108 1/2, par. 15-113.6)

Sec. 15-113.6. Service for employment in public schools. "Service for employment in public schools": Includes those periods not exceeding the lesser of 10 years or 2/3 of the service granted under other Sections of this Article dealing with service credit, during which a person who entered the system after September 1, 1974 was employed full time by a public common school, public college and public university, or by an agency or instrumentality of any of the foregoing, of any state, territory, dependency or possession of the United States of America, including the Philippine Islands, or a school operated by or under the auspices of any agency or department of any other state, if the person (1) cannot qualify for a retirement pension or other benefit based upon employer contributions from another retirement system, exclusive of federal social security, based in whole or in part upon this employment, and (2) pays the lesser of (A) an amount equal to 8% of his or her annual basic compensation on the date of becoming a participating employee subsequent to this service multiplied by the number of years of such service, together with compound interest from the date participation begins to the date payment is received by the board at the rate of 6% per annum through August 31, 1982, and at the effective rates after that date, and (B) 50% of the actuarial value of the increase in the retirement annuity provided by this service, and (3) contributes for at least 5 years subsequent to this employment to one or more of the following systems: the State Universities Retirement System, the Teachers' Retirement System of the State of Illinois, and the Public School Teachers' Pension and Retirement Fund of Chicago.

The service granted under this Section shall not be considered in determining whether the person has the minimum of 8 years of service required to qualify for a retirement annuity at age 55 or the 5 years of service required to qualify for a retirement annuity at age 62, as provided in Section 15-135, or the 10 years required by subsection (c) of Section 1-160 for a person who first becomes a participant on or after January 1, 2011. The maximum allowable service of 10 years for this governmental employment shall be reduced by the service credit which is validated under paragraph (2) of subsection (b) of Section 16-127 and paragraph 1 of Section 17-133.

(Source: P.A. 95-83, eff. 8-13-07.)

(40 ILCS 5/15-134) (from Ch. 108 1/2, par. 15-134)

Sec. 15-134. Participant.

(a) Each person shall, as a condition of employment, become a participant and be subject to this Article on the date that he or she becomes an employee, makes an election to participate in, or otherwise becomes a participant in one of the retirement programs offered under this Article, whichever date is later.

An employee who becomes a participant shall continue to be a participant until he or she becomes an annuitant, dies or accepts a refund of contributions. For purposes of subsection (f) of Section 1-160, the term "participant" shall include a person receiving a retirement annuity.

(b) A person employed concurrently by 2 or more employers is eligible to participate in the system on compensation received from all employers.

(Source: P.A. 93-347, eff. 7-24-03.)

(40 ILCS 5/15-136.3)

Sec. 15-136.3. Minimum retirement annuity.

(a) Beginning January 1, 1997, any person who is receiving a monthly retirement annuity under this Article which, after inclusion of (1) all one-time and automatic annual increases to which the person is entitled, (2) any supplemental annuity payable under Section 15-136.1, and (3) any amount deducted under Section 15-138 or 15-140 to provide a reversionary annuity, is less than the minimum monthly retirement benefit amount specified in subsection (b) of this Section, shall be entitled to a monthly supplemental payment equal to the difference.

(b) For purposes of the calculation in subsection (a), the minimum monthly retirement benefit amount is the sum of $25 for each year of service credit, up to a maximum of 30 years of service.

(c) This Section applies to all persons receiving a retirement annuity under this Article, without regard to whether or not employment terminated prior to the effective date of this Section. The annual increase provided in subsection (e) of Section 1-160 does not apply to any benefit provided under this Section.

(Source: P.A. 89-616, eff. 8-9-96.)

(40 ILCS 5/15-146) (from Ch. 108 1/2, par. 15-146)

Sec. 15-146. Survivors insurance benefits - Minimum amounts.

(a) The minimum total survivors annuity payable on account of the death of a participant shall be 50% of the retirement annuity which would have been provided under Rule 1, Rule 2, Rule 3, or Rule 5 of Section 15-136 upon the participant's attainment of the minimum age at which the penalty for early retirement would not be applicable or the date of the participant's death, whichever is later, on the basis of credits earned prior to the time of death.

(b) The minimum total survivors annuity payable on account of the death of an annuitant shall be 50% of the retirement annuity which is payable under Section 15-136 at the time of death or 50% of the disability retirement annuity payable under Section 15-153.2. This minimum survivors annuity shall apply to each participant and annuitant who dies after September 16, 1979, whether or not his or her employee status terminates before or after that date.

(c) If an annuitant has elected a reversionary annuity, the retirement annuity referred to in this Section is that which would have been payable had such election not been filed.

(d) Beginning January 1, 2002, any person who is receiving a survivors annuity under this Article which, after inclusion of all one-time and automatic annual increases to which the person is entitled, is less than the sum of $17.50 for each year (up to a maximum of 30 years) of the deceased member's service credit, shall be entitled to a monthly supplemental payment equal to the difference.

If 2 or more persons are receiving survivors annuities based on the same deceased member, the calculation of the supplemental payment under this subsection shall be based on the total of those annuities and divided pro rata. The supplemental payment is not subject to any limitation on the maximum amount of the annuity and shall not be included in the calculation of any automatic annual increase under Section 15-145. The annual increase provided in subsection (f) of Section 1-160 does not apply to any benefit provided under this subsection.

(Source: P.A. 91-887, eff. 7-6-00; 92-749, eff. 8-2-02.)

(40 ILCS 5/18-115) (from Ch. 108 1/2, par. 18-115)

Sec. 18-115. Beneficiary. "Beneficiary": A surviving spouse or children eligible for an annuity; or, if no eligible surviving spouse or children survives, the person or persons designated by the participant or annuitant in the last written designation on file with the Board; or, if no person so designated survives, or if no designation is on file, the estate of the participant or annuitant. If a special needs trust as described in Section 1396p(d)(4) of Title 42 of the United States Code, as amended from time to time, has been established for a disabled child, then the special needs trust may stand in lieu of the disabled adult child as a beneficiary for the purposes of this Article.

(Source: P.A. 83-1440.)

(40 ILCS 5/18-125) (from Ch. 108 1/2, par. 18-125)

Sec. 18-125. Retirement annuity amount.

(a) The annual retirement annuity for a participant who terminated service as a judge prior to July 1, 1971 shall be based on the law in effect at the time of termination of service.

(b) Except as provided in subsection (b-5), effective July 1, 1971, the retirement annuity for any participant in service on or after such date shall be 3 1/2% of final average salary, as defined in this Section, for each of the first 10 years of service, and 5% of such final average salary for each year of service on excess of 10.

For purposes of this Section, final average salary for a participant who first serves as a judge before August 10, 2009 (the effective date of Public Act 96-207) shall be:

(1) the average salary for the last 4 years of credited service as a judge for a participant who terminates service before July 1, 1975.

(2) for a participant who terminates service after June 30, 1975 and before July 1, 1982, the salary on the last day of employment as a judge.

(3) for any participant who terminates service after June 30, 1982 and before January 1, 1990, the average salary for the final year of service as a judge.

(4) for a participant who terminates service on or after January 1, 1990 but before the effective date of this amendatory Act of 1995, the salary on the last day of employment as a judge.

(5) for a participant who terminates service on or after the effective date of this amendatory Act of 1995, the salary on the last day of employment as a judge, or the highest salary received by the participant for employment as a judge in a position held by the participant for at least 4 consecutive years, whichever is greater.

However, in the case of a participant who elects to discontinue contributions as provided in subdivision (a)(2) of Section 18-133, the time of such election shall be considered the last day of employment in the determination of final average salary under this subsection.

For a participant who first serves as a judge on or after August 10, 2009 (the effective date of Public Act 96-207) and before January 1, 2011 (the effective date of Public Act 96-889) this amendatory Act of the 96th General Assembly, final average salary shall be the average monthly salary obtained by dividing the total salary of the participant during the period of: (1) the 48 consecutive months of service within the last 120 months of service in which the total compensation was the highest, or (2) the total period of service, if less than 48 months, by the number of months of service in that period.

The maximum retirement annuity for any participant shall be 85% of final average salary.

(b-5) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Article, for a participant who first serves as a judge on or after January 1, 2011 (the effective date of Public Act 96-889) this amendatory Act of the 96th General Assembly, the annual retirement annuity is 3% of the participant's final average salary for each year of service. The maximum retirement annuity payable shall be 60% of the participant's final average salary.

For a participant who first serves as a judge on or after January 1, 2011 (the effective date of Public Act 96-889) this amendatory Act of the 96th General Assembly, final average salary shall be the average monthly salary obtained by dividing the total salary of the judge during the 96 consecutive months of service within the last 120 months of service in which the total salary was the highest by the number of months of service in that period; however, beginning January 1, 2011, the annual final average salary may not exceed $106,800, except that that amount shall annually thereafter be increased by the lesser of (i) 3% of that amount, including all previous adjustments, or (ii) the annual unadjusted percentage increase (but not less than zero) the Social Security Covered Wage Base for 2010, and shall automatically be increased or decreased, as applicable, by a percentage equal to the percentage change in the consumer price index-u for the 12 months ending with the September preceding each November 1 during the preceding 12-month calendar year. "Consumer price index-u" means the index published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the United States Department of Labor that measures the average change in prices of goods and services purchased by all urban consumers, United States city average, all items, 1982-84 = 100. The new amount resulting from each annual adjustment shall be determined by the Public Pension Division of the Department of Insurance and made available to the Board by November 1st of each year.

(c) The retirement annuity for a participant who retires prior to age 60 with less than 28 years of service in the System shall be reduced 1/2 of 1% for each month that the participant's age is under 60 years at the time the annuity commences. However, for a participant who retires on or after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 91st General Assembly, the percentage reduction in retirement annuity imposed under this subsection shall be reduced by 5/12 of 1% for every month of service in this System in excess of 20 years, and therefore a participant with at least 26 years of service in this System may retire at age 55 without any reduction in annuity.

The reduction in retirement annuity imposed by this subsection shall not apply in the case of retirement on account of disability.

(d) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Article, for a participant who first serves as a judge on or after January 1, 2011 (the effective date of Public Act 96-889) this amendatory Act of the 96th General Assembly and who is retiring after attaining age 62, the retirement annuity shall be reduced by 1/2 of 1% for each month that the participant's age is under age 67 at the time the annuity commences.

(Source: P.A. 96-207, eff. 8-10-09; 96-889, eff. 1-1-11; 96-1000, eff. 7-2-10.)

(40 ILCS 5/18-125.1) (from Ch. 108 1/2, par. 18-125.1)

(Text of Section after amendment by P.A. 96-889)

Sec. 18-125.1. Automatic increase in retirement annuity. A participant who retires from service after June 30, 1969, shall, in January of the year next following the year in which the first anniversary of retirement occurs, and in January of each year thereafter, have the amount of his or her originally granted retirement annuity increased as follows: for each year up to and including 1971, 1 1/2%; for each year from 1972 through 1979 inclusive, 2%; and for 1980 and each year thereafter, 3%.

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Article, a retirement annuity for a participant who first serves as a judge on or after January 1, 2011 (the effective date of Public Act 96-889) this amendatory Act of the 96th General Assembly shall be increased in January of the year next following the year in which the first anniversary of retirement occurs, but in no event prior to age 67, and in January of each year thereafter, by an amount equal to 3% or the annual percentage increase change in the consumer price index-u as determined by the Public Pension Division of the Department of Insurance under subsection (b-5) of Section 18-125 Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers, whichever is less, of the retirement annuity then being paid.

This Section is not applicable to a participant who retires before he or she has made contributions at the rate prescribed in Section 18-133 for automatic increases for not less than the equivalent of one full year, unless such a participant arranges to pay the system the amount required to bring the total contributions for the automatic increase to the equivalent of one year's contribution based upon his or her last year's salary.

This Section is applicable to all participants in service after June 30, 1969 unless a participant has elected, prior to September 1, 1969, in a written direction filed with the board not to be subject to the provisions of this Section. Any participant in service on or after July 1, 1992 shall have the option of electing prior to April 1, 1993, in a written direction filed with the board, to be covered by the provisions of the 1969 amendatory Act. Such participant shall be required to make the aforesaid additional contributions with compound interest at 4% per annum.

Any participant who has become eligible to receive the maximum rate of annuity and who resumes service as a judge after receiving a retirement annuity under this Article shall have the amount of his or her retirement annuity increased by 3% of the originally granted annuity amount for each year of such resumed service, beginning in January of the year next following the date of such resumed service, upon subsequent termination of such resumed service.

Beginning January 1, 1990, all automatic annual increases payable under this Section shall be calculated as a percentage of the total annuity payable at the time of the increase, including previous increases granted under this Article.

(Source: P.A. 96-889, eff. 1-1-11.)

(40 ILCS 5/18-127) (from Ch. 108 1/2, par. 18-127)

(Text of Section after amendment by P.A. 96-889)

Sec. 18-127. Retirement annuity - suspension on reemployment.

(a) A participant receiving a retirement annuity who is regularly employed for compensation by an employer other than a county, in any capacity, shall have his or her retirement annuity payments suspended during such employment. Upon termination of such employment, retirement annuity payments at the previous rate shall be resumed.

If such a participant resumes service as a judge, he or she shall receive credit for any additional service. Upon subsequent retirement, his or her retirement annuity shall be the amount previously granted, plus the amount earned by the additional judicial service under the provisions in effect during the period of such additional service. However, if the participant was receiving the maximum rate of annuity at the time of re-employment, he or she may elect, in a written direction filed with the board, not to receive any additional service credit during the period of re-employment. In such case, contributions shall not be required during the period of re-employment. Any such election shall be irrevocable.

(b) Beginning January 1, 1991, any participant receiving a retirement annuity who accepts temporary employment from an employer other than a county for a period not exceeding 75 working days in any calendar year shall not be deemed to be regularly employed for compensation or to have resumed service as a judge for the purposes of this Article. A day shall be considered a working day if the annuitant performs on it any of his duties under the temporary employment agreement.

(c) Except as provided in subsection (a), beginning January 1, 1993, retirement annuities shall not be subject to suspension upon resumption of employment for an employer, and any retirement annuity that is then so suspended shall be reinstated on that date.

(d) The changes made in this Section by this amendatory Act of 1993 shall apply to judges no longer in service on its effective date, as well as to judges serving on or after that date.

(e) A participant receiving a retirement annuity under this Article who serves as a part-time employee in any of the following positions: Legislative Inspector General, Special Legislative Inspector General, employee of the Office of the Legislative Inspector General, Executive Director of the Legislative Ethics Commission, or staff of the Legislative Ethics Commission, but has not elected to participate in the Article 14 System with respect to that service, shall not be deemed to be regularly employed for compensation by an employer other than a county, nor to have resumed service as a judge, on the basis of that service, and the retirement annuity payments and other benefits of that person under this Code shall not be suspended, diminished, or otherwise impaired solely as a consequence of that service. This subsection (e) applies without regard to whether the person is in service as a judge under this Article on or after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 93rd General Assembly. In this subsection, a "part-time employee" is a person who is not required to work at least 35 hours per week.

(f) A participant receiving a retirement annuity under this Article who has made an election under Section 1-123 and who is serving either as legal counsel in the Office of the Governor or as Chief Deputy Attorney General shall not be deemed to be regularly employed for compensation by an employer other than a county, nor to have resumed service as a judge, on the basis of that service, and the retirement annuity payments and other benefits of that person under this Code shall not be suspended, diminished, or otherwise impaired solely as a consequence of that service. This subsection (f) applies without regard to whether the person is in service as a judge under this Article on or after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 93rd General Assembly.

(g) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Article, if a person who first becomes a participant under this System on or after January 1, 2011 (the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 96th General Assembly) is receiving a retirement annuity under this Article and becomes a member or participant accepts employment in a position covered under this Article or any other Article of this Code and is employed on a full-time basis, then the person's retirement annuity under this System shall be suspended during that employment. Upon termination of that employment, the person's retirement annuity shall resume and, if appropriate, be recalculated under the applicable provisions of this Article.

(Source: P.A. 96-889, eff. 1-1-11.)

(40 ILCS 5/18-128.01) (from Ch. 108 1/2, par. 18-128.01)

(Text of Section after amendment by P.A. 96-889)

Sec. 18-128.01. Amount of survivor's annuity.

(a) Upon the death of an annuitant, his or her surviving spouse shall be entitled to a survivor's annuity of 66 2/3% of the annuity the annuitant was receiving immediately prior to his or her death, inclusive of annual increases in the retirement annuity to the date of death.

(b) Upon the death of an active participant, his or her surviving spouse shall receive a survivor's annuity of 66 2/3% of the annuity earned by the participant as of the date of his or her death, determined without regard to whether the participant had attained age 60 as of that time, or 7 1/2% of the last salary of the decedent, whichever is greater.

(c) Upon the death of a participant who had terminated service with at least 10 years of service, his or her surviving spouse shall be entitled to a survivor's annuity of 66 2/3% of the annuity earned by the deceased participant at the date of death.

(d) Upon the death of an annuitant, active participant, or participant who had terminated service with at least 10 years of service, each surviving child under the age of 18 or disabled as defined in Section 18-128 shall be entitled to a child's annuity in an amount equal to 5% of the decedent's final salary, not to exceed in total for all such children the greater of 20% of the decedent's last salary or 66 2/3% of the annuity received or earned by the decedent as provided under subsections (a) and (b) of this Section. This child's annuity shall be paid whether or not a survivor's annuity was elected under Section 18-123.

(e) The changes made in the survivor's annuity provisions by Public Act 82-306 shall apply to the survivors of a deceased participant or annuitant whose death occurs on or after August 21, 1981.

(f) Beginning January 1, 1990, every survivor's annuity shall be increased (1) on each January 1 occurring on or after the commencement of the annuity if the deceased member died while receiving a retirement annuity, or (2) in other cases, on each January 1 occurring on or after the first anniversary of the commencement of the annuity, by an amount equal to 3% of the current amount of the annuity, including any previous increases under this Article. Such increases shall apply without regard to whether the deceased member was in service on or after the effective date of this amendatory Act of 1991, but shall not accrue for any period prior to January 1, 1990.

(g) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Article, the initial survivor's annuity for a survivor of a participant who first serves as a judge after January 1, 2011 (the effective date of Public Act 96-889) this amendatory Act of the 96th General Assembly shall be in the amount of 66 2/3% of the annuity received or earned by the decedent, and shall be increased (1) on each January 1 occurring on or after the commencement of the annuity if the deceased participant died while receiving a retirement annuity, or (2) in other cases, on each January 1 occurring on or after the first anniversary of the commencement of the annuity, but in no event prior to age 67, by an amount equal to 3% or the annual unadjusted percentage increase change in the consumer price index-u as determined by the Public Pension Division of the Department of Insurance under subsection (b-5) of Section 18-125 Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers, whichever is less, of the survivor's annuity then being paid.

(Source: P.A. 96-889, eff. 1-1-11.)

(40 ILCS 5/18-133) (from Ch. 108 1/2, par. 18-133)

Sec. 18-133. Financing; employee contributions.

(a) Effective July 1, 1967, each participant is required to contribute 7 1/2% of each payment of salary toward the retirement annuity. Such contributions shall continue during the entire time the participant is in service, with the following exceptions:

(1) Contributions for the retirement annuity are not required on salary received after 18 years of service by persons who were participants before January 2, 1954.

(2) A participant who continues to serve as a judge after becoming eligible to receive the maximum rate of annuity may elect, through a written direction filed with the Board, to discontinue contributing to the System. Any such option elected by a judge shall be irrevocable unless prior to January 1, 2000, and while continuing to serve as judge, the judge (A) files with the Board a letter cancelling the direction to discontinue contributing to the System and requesting that such contributing resume, and (B) pays into the System an amount equal to the total of the discontinued contributions plus interest thereon at 5% per annum. Service credits earned in any other "participating system" as defined in Article 20 of this Code shall be considered for purposes of determining a judge's eligibility to discontinue contributions under this subdivision (a)(2).

(3) A participant who (i) has attained age 60, (ii) continues to serve as a judge after becoming eligible to receive the maximum rate of annuity, and (iii) has not elected to discontinue contributing to the System under subdivision (a)(2) of this Section (or has revoked any such election) may elect, through a written direction filed with the Board, to make contributions to the System based only on the amount of the increases in salary received by the judge on or after the date of the election, rather than the total salary received. If a judge who is making contributions to the System on the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 91st General Assembly makes an election to limit contributions under this subdivision (a)(3) within 90 days after that effective date, the election shall be deemed to become effective on that effective date and the judge shall be entitled to receive a refund of any excess contributions paid to the System during that 90-day period; any other election under this subdivision (a)(3) becomes effective on the first of the month following the date of the election. An election to limit contributions under this subdivision (a)(3) is irrevocable. Service credits earned in any other participating system as defined in Article 20 of this Code shall be considered for purposes of determining a judge's eligibility to make an election under this subdivision (a)(3).

(b) Beginning July 1, 1969, each participant is required to contribute 1% of each payment of salary towards the automatic increase in annuity provided in Section 18-125.1. However, such contributions need not be made by any participant who has elected prior to September 15, 1969, not to be subject to the automatic increase in annuity provisions.

(c) Effective July 13, 1953, each married participant subject to the survivor's annuity provisions is required to contribute 2 1/2% of each payment of salary, whether or not he or she is required to make any other contributions under this Section. Such contributions shall be made concurrently with the contributions made for annuity purposes.

(d) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Article, the required contributions for a participant who first becomes a participant on or after January 1, 2011 shall not exceed the contributions that would be due under this Article if that participant's highest salary for annuity purposes were $106,800, plus any increase in that amount under Section 18-125.

(Source: P.A. 91-653, eff. 12-10-99.)

Section 95. No acceleration or delay. Where this Act makes changes in a statute that is represented in this Act by text that is not yet or no longer in effect (for example, a Section represented by multiple versions), the use of that text does not accelerate or delay the taking effect of (i) the changes made by this Act or (ii) provisions derived from any other Public Act.

Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect January 1, 2011.