HB5919eng 98TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HB5919 Engrossed LRB098 18361 EFG 53498 b

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 3-144.2, 3-148, and 4-139 and by adding Section 4-138.10 as follows:

(40 ILCS 5/3-144.2) (from Ch. 108 1/2, par. 3-144.2)

Sec. 3-144.2. Mistake in benefit.

(a) If the Fund mistakenly sets any benefit at an incorrect amount, it shall recalculate the benefit as soon as may be practicable after the mistake is discovered.

(b) If the benefit was mistakenly set too low, the Fund shall make a lump sum payment to the recipient of an amount equal to the difference between the benefits that should have been paid and those actually paid, plus interest at the prescribed rate from the date the unpaid amounts accrued to the date of payment.

(c) If the benefit was mistakenly set too high, the Fund may recover the amount overpaid from the recipient thereof, including interest at the prescribed rate from the date of overpayment to the date of recovery, either directly or by deducting such amount from the remaining benefits payable to the recipient. If the overpayment is recovered by deductions from the remaining benefits payable to the recipient, the monthly deduction shall not exceed 10% of the corrected monthly benefit amount, unless otherwise agreed to by the recipient of the benefit.

However, if (i) the amount of the benefit was mistakenly set too high, and (ii) the error was undiscovered for 3 years or longer, and (iii) the error was not the result of incorrect information supplied by the affected participant or beneficiary, then upon discovery of the mistake the benefit shall be adjusted to the correct level, but the recipient of the benefit need not repay to the Fund the excess amounts received in error.

(d) In the event of any conflict between this Section and the Administrative Review Law, including but not limited to any period established under that Law having the effect of limiting the time in which a mistake in benefit may be corrected, this Section is intended to control.

The amount of any overpayment, due to fraud, misrepresentation or error, of any pension or benefit granted under this Article may be deducted from future payments to the recipient of such pension or benefit.

(Source: P.A. 82-623.)

(40 ILCS 5/3-148) (from Ch. 108 1/2, par. 3-148)

Sec. 3-148. Administrative review. Except as provided in Section 3-144.2, pertaining to the correction of mistakes in benefits, the The provisions of the Administrative Review Law, and all amendments and modifications thereof and the rules adopted pursuant thereto, shall apply to and govern all proceedings for the judicial review of final administrative decisions of the retirement board provided for under this Article. The term "administrative decision" is as defined in Section 3-101 of the Code of Civil Procedure.

(Source: P.A. 82-783.)

(40 ILCS 5/4-138.10 new)

Sec. 4-138.10. Mistake in benefit.

(a) If the Fund mistakenly sets any benefit at an incorrect amount, it shall recalculate the benefit as soon as may be practicable after the mistake is discovered.

(b) If the benefit was mistakenly set too low, the Fund shall make a lump sum payment to the recipient of an amount equal to the difference between the benefits that should have been paid and those actually paid, plus interest at the prescribed rate from the date the unpaid amounts accrued to the date of payment.

(c) If the benefit was mistakenly set too high, the Fund may recover the amount overpaid from the recipient thereof, including interest at the prescribed rate from the date of overpayment to the date of recovery, either directly or by deducting such amount from the remaining benefits payable to the recipient. If the overpayment is recovered by deductions from the remaining benefits payable to the recipient, the monthly deduction shall not exceed 10% of the corrected monthly benefit amount, unless otherwise agreed to by the recipient of the benefit.

However, if (i) the amount of the benefit was mistakenly set too high, and (ii) the error was undiscovered for 3 years or longer, and (iii) the error was not the result of incorrect information supplied by the affected participant or beneficiary, then upon discovery of the mistake the benefit shall be adjusted to the correct level, but the recipient of the benefit need not repay to the Fund the excess amounts received in error.

(d) In the event of any conflict between this Section and the Administrative Review Law, including but not limited to any period established under that Law having the effect of limiting the time in which a mistake in benefit may be corrected, this Section is intended to control.

(40 ILCS 5/4-139) (from Ch. 108 1/2, par. 4-139)

Sec. 4-139. Administrative review. Except as provided in Section 4-138.10, pertaining to the correction of mistakes in benefits, the The provisions of the Administrative Review Law, and all amendments and modifications thereof and the rules adopted pursuant thereto, shall apply to and govern all proceedings for the judicial review of final administrative decisions of the retirement board provided for under this Article. The term "administrative decision" is as defined in Section 3-101 of the Code of Civil Procedure.

(Source: P.A. 82-783.)

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