Senate Sponsors: MAITLAND. Short description: PEN CD-UNIV-DISABILITY ETC Synopsis of Bill as introduced: Amends the State Universities Article of the Pension Code. Imposes a 2-year limit on disability benefits that commence after the effective date if the disabled person becomes able to engage in any substantial gainful employment. (Article XIII, Section 5 of the Illinois Constitution may prevent this limitation from applying to certain current or former members.) Provides that the Board, rather than physicians and the employer, shall determine disability. Provides that the Board may consider hospital records, laboratory test results, and other information to determine the employment capacity and condition of the claimant. Reduces from 2 to one the minimum number of physician certificates that the claimant must provide, and specifies that all costs incurred by the claimant in completing a claim for disability shall be paid by the claimant. Accelerates by one year the 7% automatic increase in disability benefit for persons whose benefit was granted on the first day of January. Specifies that a participant in the optional retirement program is ineligible to receive a disability retirement annuity. Also specifies that required age 70 1/2 distributions are payable regardless of whether an application has been filed, and delays those required distributions for one year in the case of persons turning age 70 1/2 before April 1 of a calendar year. Provides that the System need not make an involuntary age 70 1/2 distribution to a person who is employed under any retirement system that participates in the Retirement Systems Reciprocal Act. Provides that a past participant who is employed by a State or national teacher organization may elect to participate in the System and may purchase service credit for certain prior employment in that capacity. Effective immediately. PENSION NOTE Total fiscal impact would be very minor. Last action on Bill: SESSION SINE DIE Last action date: 99-01-12 Location: Senate Amendments to Bill: AMENDMENTS ADOPTED: HOUSE - 0 SENATE - 0 END OF INQUIRY Full Text Bill Status