HB4791 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB096 15808 AMC 31049 b

96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2009 and 2010
HB4791

Introduced 1/12/2010, by Rep. Michael J. Zalewski

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

40 ILCS 5/11-134	from Ch. 108 1/2, par. 11-134
40 ILCS 5/11-145.1	from Ch. 108 1/2, par. 11-145.1
30 ILCS 805/8.34 new

Amends the Chicago Laborers Article of the Illinois Pension Code. Increases the minimum employee's annuity from $850 to $1,050 and the minimum widow's from $800 to $1,000 beginning January 1, 2011 under certain conditions. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement. Effective immediately.

FISCAL NOTE ACT MAY APPLY

PENSION IMPACT NOTE ACT MAY APPLY

STATE MANDATES ACT MAY REQUIRE REIMBURSEMENT

A BILL FOR

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 11-134 and 11-145.1 as follows:

(40 ILCS 5/11-134) (from Ch. 108 1/2, par. 11-134)

Sec. 11-134. Minimum annuities.

(a) An employee whose withdrawal occurs after July 1, 1957 at age 60 or over, with 20 or more years of service, (as service is defined or computed in Section 11-216), for whom the age and service and prior service annuity combined is less than the amount stated in this Section, shall, from and after the date of withdrawal, in lieu of all annuities otherwise provided in this Article, be entitled to receive an annuity for life of an amount equal to 1 2/3% for each year of service, of the highest average annual salary for any 5 consecutive years within the last 10 years of service immediately preceding the date of withdrawal; provided, that in the case of any employee who withdraws on or after July 1, 1971, such employee age 60 or over with 20 or more years of service, shall be entitled to instead receive an annuity for life equal to 1.67% for each of the first 10 years of service; 1.90% for each of the next 10 years of service; 2.10% for each year of service in excess of 20 but not exceeding 30; and 2.30% for each year of service in excess of 30, based on the highest average annual salary for any 4 consecutive years within the last 10 years of service immediately preceding the date of withdrawal.

An employee who withdraws after July 1, 1957 and before January 1, 1988, with 20 or more years of service, before age 60, shall be entitled to an annuity, to begin not earlier than age 55, if under such age at withdrawal, as computed in the last preceding paragraph, reduced 0.25% if the employee was born before January 1, 1936, or 0.5% if the employee was born on or after January 1, 1936, for each full month or fractional part thereof that his attained age when such annuity is to begin is less than 60.

Any employee born before January 1, 1936 who withdraws with 20 or more years of service, and any employee with 20 or more years of service who withdraws on or after January 1, 1988, may elect to receive, in lieu of any other employee annuity provided in this Section, an annuity for life equal to 1.80% for each of the first 10 years of service, 2.00% for each of the next 10 years of service, 2.20% for each year of service in excess of 20, but not exceeding 30, and 2.40% for each year of service in excess of 30, of the highest average annual salary for any 4 consecutive years within the last 10 years of service immediately preceding the date of withdrawal, to begin not earlier than upon attained age of 55 years, if under such age at withdrawal, reduced 0.25% for each full month or fractional part thereof that his attained age when annuity is to begin is less than 60; except that an employee retiring on or after January 1, 1988, at age 55 or over but less than age 60, having at least 35 years of service, or an employee retiring on or after July 1, 1990, at age 55 or over but less than age 60, having at least 30 years of service, or an employee retiring on or after the effective date of this amendatory Act of 1997, at age 55 or over but less than age 60, having at least 25 years of service, shall not be subject to the reduction in retirement annuity because of retirement below age 60.

However, in the case of an employee who retired on or after January 1, 1985 but before January 1, 1988, at age 55 or older and with at least 35 years of service, and who was subject under this subsection (a) to the reduction in retirement annuity because of retirement below age 60, that reduction shall cease to be effective January 1, 1991, and the retirement annuity shall be recalculated accordingly.

Any employee who withdraws on or after July 1, 1990, with 20 or more years of service, may elect to receive, in lieu of any other employee annuity provided in this Section, an annuity for life equal to 2.20% for each year of service if withdrawal is before January 1, 2002, or 2.40% for each year of service if withdrawal is on or after January 1, 2002, of the highest average annual salary for any 4 consecutive years within the last 10 years of service immediately preceding the date of withdrawal, to begin not earlier than upon attained age of 55 years, if under such age at withdrawal, reduced 0.25% for each full month or fractional part thereof that his attained age when annuity is to begin is less than 60; except that an employee retiring at age 55 or over but less than age 60, having at least 30 years of service, shall not be subject to the reduction in retirement annuity because of retirement below age 60.

Any employee who withdraws on or after the effective date of this amendatory Act of 1997 with 20 or more years of service may elect to receive, in lieu of any other employee annuity provided in this Section, an annuity for life equal to 2.20% for each year of service if withdrawal is before January 1, 2002, or 2.40% for each year of service if withdrawal is on or after January 1, 2002, of the highest average annual salary for any 4 consecutive years within the last 10 years of service immediately preceding the date of withdrawal, to begin not earlier than upon attainment of age 55 (age 50 if the employee has at least 30 years of service), reduced 0.25% for each full month or remaining fractional part thereof that the employee's attained age when annuity is to begin is less than 60; except that an employee retiring at age 50 or over with at least 30 years of service or at age 55 or over with at least 25 years of service shall not be subject to the reduction in retirement annuity because of retirement below age 60.

The maximum annuity payable under this paragraph (a) of this Section shall not exceed 70% of highest average annual salary in the case of an employee who withdraws prior to July 1, 1971, 75% if withdrawal takes place on or after July 1, 1971 and prior to January 1, 2002, or 80% if withdrawal is on or after January 1, 2002. For the purpose of the minimum annuity provided in said paragraphs $1,500 shall be considered the minimum annual salary for any year; and the maximum annual salary to be considered for the computation of such annuity shall be $4,800 for any year prior to 1953, $6,000 for the years 1953 to 1956, inclusive, and the actual annual salary, as salary is defined in this Article, for any year thereafter.

(b) For an employee receiving disability benefit, his salary for annuity purposes under this Section shall, for all periods of disability benefit subsequent to the year 1956, be the amount on which his disability benefit was based.

(c) An employee with 20 or more years of service, whose entire disability benefit credit period expires prior to attainment of age 55 while still disabled for service, shall be entitled upon withdrawal to the larger of (1) the minimum annuity provided above assuming that he is then age 55, and reducing such annuity to its actuarial equivalent at his attained age on such date, or (2) the annuity provided from his age and service and prior service annuity credits.

(d) The minimum annuity provisions as aforesaid shall not apply to any former employee receiving an annuity from the fund, and who re-enters service as an employee, unless he renders at least 3 years of additional service after the date of re-entry.

(e) An employee in service on July 1, 1947, or who became a contributor after July 1, 1947 and prior to July 1, 1950, or who shall become a contributor to the fund after July 1, 1950 prior to attainment of age 70, who withdraws after age 65 with less than 20 years of service, for whom the annuity has been fixed under the foregoing Sections of this Article shall, in lieu of the annuity so fixed, receive an annuity as follows:

Such amount as he could have received had the accumulated amounts for annuity been improved with interest at the effective rate to the date of his withdrawal, or to attainment of age 70, whichever is earlier, and had the city contributed to such earlier date for age and service annuity the amount that would have been contributed had he been under age 65, after the date his annuity was fixed in accordance with this Article, and assuming his annuity were computed from such accumulations as of his age on such earlier date. The annuity so computed shall not exceed the annuity which would be payable under the other provisions of this Section if the employee was credited with 20 years of service and would qualify for annuity thereunder.

(f) In lieu of the annuity provided in this or in any other Section of this Article, an employee having attained age 65 with at least 15 years of service who withdraws from service on or after July 1, 1971 and whose annuity computed under other provisions of this Article is less than the amount provided under this paragraph shall be entitled to receive a minimum annual annuity for life equal to 1% of the highest average annual salary for any 4 consecutive years within the last 10 years of service immediately preceding retirement for each year of his service plus the sum of $25 for each year of service. Such annual annuity shall not exceed the maximum percentages stated under paragraph (a) of this Section of such highest average annual salary.

(f-1) Instead of any other retirement annuity provided in this Article, an employee who has at least 10 years of service and withdraws from service on or after January 1, 1999 may elect to receive a retirement annuity for life, beginning no earlier than upon attainment of age 60, equal to 2.2% if withdrawal is before January 1, 2002, or 2.4% for each year of service if withdrawal is on or after January 1, 2002, of final average salary for each year of service, subject to a maximum of 75% of final average salary if withdrawal is before January 1, 2002, or 80% if withdrawal is on or after January 1, 2002. For the purpose of calculating this annuity, "final average salary" means the highest average annual salary for any 4 consecutive years in the last 10 years of service.

(g) Any annuity payable under the preceding subsections of this Section 11-134 shall be paid in equal monthly installments.

(h) The amendatory provisions of part (a) and (f) of this Section shall be effective July 1, 1971 and apply in the case of every qualifying employee withdrawing on or after July 1, 1971.

(h-1) The changes made to this Section by Public Act 92-609 (increasing the retirement formula to 2.4% per year of service and increasing the maximum to 80%) apply to persons who withdraw from service on or after January 1, 2002, regardless of whether that withdrawal takes place before the effective date of that Act. In the case of a person who withdraws from service on or after January 1, 2002 but begins to receive a retirement annuity before July 1, 2002, the annuity shall be recalculated, with the increase resulting from Public Act 92-609 accruing from the date the retirement annuity began. The changes made by Public Act 92-609 control over the changes made by Public Act 92-599, as provided in Section 95 of P.A. 92-609.

(i) The amendatory provisions of this amendatory Act of 1985 relating to the discount of annuity because of retirement prior to attainment of age 60 and increasing the retirement formula for those born before January 1, 1936, shall apply only to qualifying employees withdrawing on or after August 16, 1985.

(j) Beginning on January 1, 1999, the minimum amount of employee's annuity shall be $850 per month for life for the following classes of employees, without regard to the fact that withdrawal occurred prior to the effective date of this amendatory Act of 1998:

(1) any employee annuitant alive and receiving a life annuity on the effective date of this amendatory Act of 1998, except a reciprocal annuity;

(2) any employee annuitant alive and receiving a term annuity on the effective date of this amendatory Act of 1998, except a reciprocal annuity;

(3) any employee annuitant alive and receiving a reciprocal annuity on the effective date of this amendatory Act of 1998, whose service in this fund is at least 5 years;

(4) any employee annuitant withdrawing after age 60 on or after the effective date of this amendatory Act of 1998, with at least 10 years of service in this fund.

The increases granted under items (1), (2) and (3) of this subsection (j) shall not be limited by any other Section of this Act.

(k) Beginning on January 1, 2011, the minimum amount of employee's annuity shall be $1,050 per month for life for the following classes of employees, without regard to the fact that withdrawal occurred prior to the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 96th General Assembly:

(1) any employee annuitant alive and receiving a life annuity on the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 96th General Assembly, except a reciprocal annuity;

(2) any employee annuitant alive and receiving a term annuity on the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 96th General Assembly, except a reciprocal annuity;

(3) any employee annuitant alive and receiving a reciprocal annuity on the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 96th General Assembly, whose service in this fund is at least 5 years;

(4) any employee annuitant withdrawing after age 60 on or after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 96th General Assembly, with at least 10 years of service in this fund.

The increases granted under items (1), (2), and (3) of this subsection (k) shall not be limited by any other Section of this Act.

The minimum annuity of $1,050 is not eligible for an increase under Section 11-134.1 or Section 11-134.3 on January 1, 2011.

(Source: P.A. 95-331, eff. 8-21-07.)

(40 ILCS 5/11-145.1) (from Ch. 108 1/2, par. 11-145.1)

Sec. 11-145.1. Minimum annuities for widows. The widow otherwise eligible for widow's annuity under other Sections of this Article 11, of an employee hereinafter described, who retires from service or dies while in the service subsequent to the effective date of this amendatory provision, and for which widow the amount of widow's annuity and widow's prior service annuity combined, fixed or provided for such widow under other provisions of said Article 11 is less than the amount hereinafter provided in this section, shall, from and after the date her otherwise provided annuity would begin, in lieu of such otherwise provided widow's and widow's prior service annuity, be entitled to the following indicated amount of annuity:

(a) The widow of any employee who dies while in service on or after the date on which he attains age 60 if the death occurs before July 1, 1990, or on or after the date on which he attains age 55 if the death occurs on or after July 1, 1990, with at least 20 years of service, or on or after the date on which he attains age 50 if the death occurs on or after the effective date of this amendatory Act of 1997 with at least 30 years of service, shall be entitled to an annuity equal to one-half of the amount of annuity which her deceased husband would have been entitled to receive had he withdrawn from the service on the day immediately preceding the date of his death, conditional upon such widow having attained age 60 on or before such date if the death occurs before July 1, 1990, or age 55 if the death occurs on or after July 1, 1990, or age 50 if the death occurs on or after January 1, 1998 and the employee is age 50 or over with at least 30 years of service or age 55 or over with at least 25 years of service. Except as provided in subsection (j), the widow's annuity shall not, however, exceed the sum of $500 a month if the employee's death in service occurs before January 23, 1987. The widow's annuity shall not be limited to a maximum dollar amount if the employee's death in service occurs on or after January 23, 1987.

If the employee dies in service before July 1, 1990, and if such widow of such described employee shall not be 60 or more years of age on such date of death, the amount provided in the immediately preceding paragraph for a widow 60 or more years of age, shall, in the case of such younger widow, be reduced by 0.25% for each month that her then attained age is less than 60 years if the employee was born before January 1, 1936, or dies in service on or after January 1, 1988, or 0.5% for each month that her then attained age is less than 60 years if the employee was born on or after January 1, 1936 and dies in service before January 1, 1988.

If the employee dies in service on or after July 1, 1990, and if the widow of the employee has not attained age 55 on or before the employee's date of death, the amount otherwise provided in this subsection (a) shall be reduced by 0.25% for each month that her then attained age is less than 55 years; except that if the employee dies in service on or after January 1, 1998 at age 50 or over with at least 30 years of service or at age 55 or over with at least 25 years of service, there shall be no reduction due to the widow's age if she has attained age 50 on or before the employee's date of death, and if the widow has not attained age 50 on or before the employee's date of death the amount otherwise provided in this subsection (a) shall be reduced by 0.25% for each month that her then attained age is less than 50 years.

(b) The widow of any employee who dies subsequent to the date of his retirement on annuity, and who so retired on or after the date on which he attained age 60 if retirement occurs before July 1, 1990, or on or after the date on which he attained age 55 if retirement occurs on or after July 1, 1990, with at least 20 years of service, or on or after the date on which he attained age 50 if the retirement occurs on or after the effective date of this amendatory Act of 1997 with at least 30 years of service, shall be entitled to an annuity equal to one-half of the amount of annuity which her deceased husband received as of the date of his retirement on annuity, conditional upon such widow having attained age 60 on or before the date of her husband's retirement on annuity if retirement occurs before July 1, 1990, or age 55 if retirement occurs on or after July 1, 1990, or age 50 if the retirement on annuity occurs on or after January 1, 1998 and the employee is age 50 or over with at least 30 years of service or age 55 or over with at least 25 years of service. Except as provided in subsection (j), this widow's annuity shall not, however, exceed the sum of $500 a month if the employee's death occurs before January 23, 1987. The widow's annuity shall not be limited to a maximum dollar amount if the employee's death occurs on or after January 23, 1987, regardless of the date of retirement; provided that, if retirement was before January 23, 1987, the employee or eligible spouse repays the excess spouse refund with interest at the effective rate from the date of refund to the date of repayment.

If the date of the employee's retirement on annuity is before July 1, 1990, and if such widow of such described employee shall not have attained such age of 60 or more years on such date of her husband's retirement on annuity, the amount provided in the immediately preceding paragraph for a widow 60 or more years of age on the date of her husband's retirement on annuity, shall, in the case of such then younger widow, be reduced by 0.25% for each month that her then attained age was less than 60 years if the employee was born before January 1, 1936, or withdraws from service on or after January 1, 1988, or 0.5% for each month that her then attained age was less than 60 years if the employee was born on or after January 1, 1936 and withdraws from service before January 1, 1988.

If the date of the employee's retirement on annuity is on or after July 1, 1990, and if the widow of the employee has not attained age 55 by the date of the employee's retirement on annuity, the amount otherwise provided in this subsection (b) shall be reduced by 0.25% for each month that her then attained age is less than 55 years; except that if the employee retires on annuity on or after January 1, 1998 at age 50 or over with at least 30 years of service or at age 55 or over with at least 25 years of service, there shall be no reduction due to the widow's age if she has attained age 50 on or before the employee's date of death, and if the widow has not attained age 50 on or before the employee's date of death the amount otherwise provided in this subsection (b) shall be reduced by 0.25% for each month that her then attained age is less than 50 years.

(c) The foregoing provisions relating to minimum annuities for widows shall not apply to the widow of any former employee receiving an annuity from the fund on August 2, 1965 or on the effective date of this amendatory provision, who re-enters service as a former employee, unless such employee renders at least 3 years of additional service after the date of re-entry.

(d) (Blank).

(e) (Blank).

(f) The amendments to this Section by this amendatory Act of 1985, relating to changing the discount because of age from 1/2 of 1% to 0.25% per month for widows of employees born before January 1, 1936, shall apply only to qualifying widows whose husbands die while in the service on or after August 16, 1985 or withdraw and enter on annuity on or after August 16, 1985.

(g) Beginning on January 1, 1999, the minimum amount of widow's annuity shall be $800 per month for life for the following classes of widows, without regard to the fact that the death of the employee occurred prior to the effective date of this amendatory Act of 1998:

(1) any widow annuitant alive and receiving a term annuity on the effective date of this amendatory Act of 1998, except a reciprocal annuity;

(2) any widow annuitant alive and receiving a life annuity on the effective date of this amendatory Act of 1998, except a reciprocal annuity;

(3) any widow annuitant alive and receiving a reciprocal annuity on the effective date of this amendatory Act of 1998, whose employee spouse's service in this fund was at least 5 years;

(4) the widow of an employee with at least 10 years of service in this fund who dies after retirement, if the retirement occurred prior to the effective date of this amendatory Act of 1998;

(5) the widow of an employee with at least 10 years of service in this fund who dies after retirement, if withdrawal occurs on or after the effective date of this amendatory Act of 1998;

(6) the widow of an employee who dies in service with at least 5 years of service in this fund, if the death in service occurs on or after the effective date of this amendatory Act of 1998.

The increases granted under items (1), (2), (3) and (4) of this subsection (g) shall not be limited by any other Section of this Act.

(g-5) Beginning on January 1, 2011, the minimum amount of widow's annuity shall be $1,000 per month for life for the following classes of widows, without regard to the fact that the death of the employee occurred prior to the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 96th General Assembly:

(1) any widow annuitant alive and receiving a term annuity on the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 96th General Assembly, except a reciprocal annuity;

(2) any widow annuitant alive and receiving a life annuity on the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 96th General Assembly, except a reciprocal annuity;

(3) any widow annuitant alive and receiving a reciprocal annuity on the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 96th General Assembly, whose employee spouse's service in this fund was at least 5 years;

(4) the widow of an employee with at least 10 years of service in this fund who dies after retirement, if the retirement occurred prior to the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 96th General Assembly;

(5) the widow of an employee with at least 10 years of service in this fund who dies after retirement, if withdrawal occurs on or after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 96th General Assembly;

(6) the widow of an employee who dies in service with at least 5 years of service in this fund, if the death in service occurs on or after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 96th General Assembly.

The increases granted under items (1), (2), (3), and (4) of this subsection (g-5) shall not be limited by any other Section of this Act.

(h) The widow of an employee who retired or died in service on or after January 1, 1985 and before July 1, 1990, at age 55 or older, and with at least 35 years of service credit, shall be entitled to have her widow's annuity increased, effective January 1, 1991, to an amount equal to 50% of the retirement annuity that the deceased employee received on the date of retirement, or would have been eligible to receive if he had retired on the day preceding the date of his death in service, provided that if the widow had not attained age 60 by the date of the employee's retirement or death in service, the amount of the annuity shall be reduced by 0.25% for each month that her then attained age was less than age 60 if the employee's retirement or death in service occurred on or after January 1, 1988, or by 0.5% for each month that her attained age is less than age 60 if the employee's retirement or death in service occurred prior to January 1, 1988. However, in cases where a refund of excess contributions for widow's annuity has been paid by the Fund, the increase in benefit provided by this subsection (h) shall be contingent upon repayment of the refund to the Fund with interest at the effective rate from the date of refund to the date of payment.

(i) If a deceased employee is receiving a retirement annuity at the time of death and that death occurs on or after June 27, 1997, the widow may elect to receive, in lieu of any other annuity provided under this Article, 50% of the deceased employee's retirement annuity at the time of death reduced by 0.25% for each month that the widow's age on the date of death is less than 55; except that if the employee dies on or after January 1, 1998 and withdrew from service on or after June 27, 1997 at age 50 or over with at least 30 years of service or at age 55 or over with at least 25 years of service, there shall be no reduction due to the widow's age if she has attained age 50 on or before the employee's date of death, and if the widow has not attained age 50 on or before the employee's date of death the amount otherwise provided in this subsection (i) shall be reduced by 0.25% for each month that her age on the date of death is less than 50 years. However, in cases where a refund of excess contributions for widow's annuity has been paid by the Fund, the benefit provided by this subsection (i) is contingent upon repayment of the refund to the Fund with interest at the effective rate from the date of refund to the date of payment.

(j) For widows of employees who died before January 23, 1987 after retirement on annuity or in service, the maximum dollar amount limitation on widow's annuity shall cease to apply, beginning with the first annuity payment after the effective date of this amendatory Act of 1997; except that if a refund of excess contributions for widow's annuity has been paid by the Fund, the increase resulting from this subsection (j) shall not begin before the refund has been repaid to the Fund, together with interest at the effective rate from the date of the refund to the date of repayment.

(k) In lieu of any other annuity provided in this Article, an eligible spouse of an employee who dies in service on or after January 1, 2002 (regardless of whether that death in service occurs prior to the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 93rd General Assembly) with at least 10 years of service shall be entitled to an annuity of 50% of the minimum formula annuity earned and accrued to the credit of the employee at the date of death. For the purposes of this subsection, the minimum formula annuity earned and accrued to the credit of the employee is equal to 2.40% for each year of service of the highest average annual salary for any 4 consecutive years within the last 10 years of service immediately preceding the date of death, up to a maximum of 80% of the highest average annual salary. This annuity shall not be reduced due to the age of the employee or spouse. In addition to any other eligibility requirements under this Article, the spouse is eligible for this annuity only if the marriage was in effect for 10 full years or more.

(Source: P.A. 92-599, eff. 6-28-02; 93-654, eff. 1-16-04.)

Section 90. The State Mandates Act is amended by adding Section 8.34 as follows:

(30 ILCS 805/8.34 new)

Sec. 8.34. Exempt mandate. Notwithstanding Sections 6 and 8 of this Act, no reimbursement by the State is required for the implementation of any mandate created by this amendatory Act of the 96th General Assembly.

Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon becoming law.