HB4666 97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB097 15724 JDS 60868 b

97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2011 and 2012
HB4666

Introduced , by Rep. Kelly Burke

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

40 ILCS 5/2-108.1	from Ch. 108 1/2, par. 2-108.1
40 ILCS 5/2-119.1	from Ch. 108 1/2, par. 2-119.1
40 ILCS 5/2-121.1	from Ch. 108 1/2, par. 2-121.1
40 ILCS 5/18-125	from Ch. 108 1/2, par. 18-125
40 ILCS 5/18-125.1	from Ch. 108 1/2, par. 18-125.1
40 ILCS 5/18-128.01	from Ch. 108 1/2, par. 18-128.01

Amends the General Assembly and Judges Articles of the Illinois Pension Code. Changes the manner in which highest salary for annuity purposes, final average salary, automatic annual increases, and survivor benefits are calculated for (i) persons who first become participants of either system on or after the effective date of the amendatory Act and (ii) current participants of either system who irrevocably elect those reduced benefits.

FISCAL NOTE ACT MAY APPLY

PENSION IMPACT NOTE ACT MAY APPLY

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 2-108.1, 2-119.1, 2-121.1, 18-125, 18-125.1, and 18-128.01 as follows:

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

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), 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), 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) in the consumer price index-u for the 12 months ending with the September preceding each November 1.

For a participant who is a participant on the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 97th General Assembly and who irrevocably elects the reduced benefits under this paragraph and for a participant who first becomes a participant of this System after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 97th 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 on the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 97th General Assembly, the highest salary for annuity purposes may not, for the affected persons, 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) 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.

"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; 96-1490, eff. 1-1-11.)

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

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) 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 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.

(b-10) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Article, a participant who is a participant on the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 97th General Assembly and who irrevocably elects the reduced benefits under this subsection (b-10) and a participant who first becomes a participant after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 97th 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 annuity increased by 3% or one-half the annual unadjusted percentage increase (but not less than zero) 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 originally granted retirement annuity.

(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; 96-1490, eff. 1-1-11.)

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

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) 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 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.

(d-10) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Article, the initial survivor's annuity of a survivor of (i) a participant who is a participant on the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 97th General Assembly and who irrevocably elects the reduced benefits under this subsection (d-10) and (ii) a participant who first becomes a participant after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 97th 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 one-half the annual unadjusted percentage increase (but not less than zero) 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 originally granted survivor's annuity.

(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; 96-1490, eff. 1-1-11.)

(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), 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), 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), 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 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) in the consumer price index-u for the 12 months ending with the September preceding each November 1.

For a participant who serves as a judge on the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 97th General Assembly and who irrevocably elects the reduced benefits under this paragraph and for a participant who first serves as a judge after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 97th 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 on the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 97th General Assembly, the annual salary may not, for affected judges, exceed $106,800, except that that amount shall annually thereafter be increased by the lesser of (1) 3% of that amount, including all previous adjustments, or (2) 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.

"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) 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; 96-1490, eff. 1-1-11.)

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

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) 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 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, whichever is less, of the retirement annuity then being paid.

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Article, a retirement annuity for a participant who serves as a judge on the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 97th General Assembly and who irrevocably elects the reduced benefits under this paragraph and for a participant who first serves as a judge after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 97th 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 one-half the annual unadjusted percentage increase (but not less than zero) 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, whichever is less, of the originally granted retirement annuity.

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; 96-1490, eff. 1-1-11.)

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

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) 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 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, whichever is less, of the survivor's annuity then being paid.

(h) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Article, the initial survivor's annuity for (i) a participant who serves as a judge on the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 97th General Assembly and who irrevocably elects the reduced benefits under this subsection (h) and (ii) a survivor of a participant who first serves as a judge after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 97th 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 one-half the annual unadjusted percentage increase (but not less than zero) 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, whichever is less, of the originally granted survivor's annuity.

(Source: P.A. 96-889, eff. 1-1-11; 96-1490, eff. 1-1-11.)