HB2993enr 98TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HB2993 Enrolled LRB098 10966 EFG 41588 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 1-160, 15-102, 15-111, 15-112, 15-113.6, 15-134, 15-135, 15-136, 15-136.3, 15-139, 15-145, 15-146, 15-146.1, 15-155, 15-157, 15-158.2, 15-159, 15-162, 15-165, 15-168, 15-169, 15-171, 15-172, 15-177, and 16-152 and by adding Sections 15-108.1, 15-108.2, 15-139.1, 15-145.1, and 16-106.6 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 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, 15 or 18 of this Code, 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 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. For the purposes of a person who first becomes a member or participant of any retirement system or pension fund to which this Section applies on or after January 1, 2011, in this Code, "final average salary" shall be substituted for the following:

(1) In Article 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 written application if 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. 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, whichever is less, of the originally granted retirement annuity. If the annual unadjusted percentage change in the consumer price index-u for the 12 months ending with the September preceding each November 1 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 participant on or after January 1, 2011 shall be in the amount of 66 2/3% of the retired member's or participant's 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 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, whichever is less, of the originally granted survivor's annuity. If the annual unadjusted percentage change in the consumer price index-u for the 12 months ending with the September preceding each November 1 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 is receiving a retirement annuity or retirement pension under that system or fund and becomes a member or participant under any other system or fund created by 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 be recalculated if recalculation is provided for under the applicable Article of this Code.

If a person who first becomes a member of a retirement system or pension fund subject to this Section on or after January 1, 2012 and is receiving a retirement annuity or retirement pension under that system or fund and accepts on a contractual basis a position to provide services to a governmental entity from which he or she has retired, then that person's annuity or retirement pension earned as an active employee of the employer shall be suspended during that contractual service. A person receiving an annuity or retirement pension under this Code shall notify the pension fund or retirement system from which he or she is receiving an annuity or retirement pension, as well as his or her contractual employer, of his or her retirement status before accepting contractual employment. A person who fails to submit such notification shall be guilty of a Class A misdemeanor and required to pay a fine of $1,000. Upon termination of that contractual employment, the person's retirement annuity or retirement pension payments shall resume and, if appropriate, be recalculated under the applicable provisions of this Code.

(i) (Blank). 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 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; 96-1490, eff. 1-1-11; 97-609, eff. 1-1-12.)

(40 ILCS 5/15-102) (from Ch. 108 1/2, par. 15-102)

Sec. 15-102. Terms defined. The terms used in this Article shall have the meanings ascribed to them in Sections 15-103 through 15-198 15-132.1, except when the context otherwise requires.

(Source: P.A. 91-357, eff. 7-29-99.)

(40 ILCS 5/15-108.1 new)

Sec. 15-108.1. Tier 1 member. "Tier 1 member": A participant or an annuitant of a retirement annuity under this Article, other than a participant in the self-managed plan under Section 15-158.2, who first became a participant or member before January 1, 2011 under any reciprocal retirement system or pension fund established under this Code, other than a retirement system or pension fund established under Articles 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or 18 of this Code. "Tier 1 member" includes a person who first became a participant under this System before January 1, 2011 and who accepts a refund and is subsequently reemployed by an employer on or after January 1, 2011.

(40 ILCS 5/15-108.2 new)

Sec. 15-108.2. Tier 2 member. "Tier 2 member": A participant under this Article, other than a participant in the self-managed plan under Section 15-158.2, who on or after January 1, 2011, first becomes a participant or member under any reciprocal retirement system or pension fund established under this Code.

(40 ILCS 5/15-111) (from Ch. 108 1/2, par. 15-111)

Sec. 15-111. Earnings.

(a) "Earnings": An amount paid for personal services equal to the sum of the basic compensation plus extra compensation for summer teaching, overtime or other extra service. For periods for which an employee receives service credit under subsection (c) of Section 15-113.1 or Section 15-113.2, earnings are equal to the basic compensation on which contributions are paid by the employee during such periods. Compensation for employment which is irregular, intermittent and temporary shall not be considered earnings, unless the participant is also receiving earnings from the employer as an employee under Section 15-107.

With respect to transition pay paid by the University of Illinois to a person who was a participating employee employed in the fire department of the University of Illinois's Champaign-Urbana campus immediately prior to the elimination of that fire department:

(1) "Earnings" includes transition pay paid to the employee on or after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 91st General Assembly.

(2) "Earnings" includes transition pay paid to the employee before the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 91st General Assembly only if (i) employee contributions under Section 15-157 have been withheld from that transition pay or (ii) the employee pays to the System before January 1, 2001 an amount representing employee contributions under Section 15-157 on that transition pay. Employee contributions under item (ii) may be paid in a lump sum, by withholding from additional transition pay accruing before January 1, 2001, or in any other manner approved by the System. Upon payment of the employee contributions on transition pay, the corresponding employer contributions become an obligation of the State.

(b) For a Tier 2 member, the annual earnings 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.

(Source: P.A. 91-887, eff. 7-6-00.)

(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 Tier 1 member 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 Tier 2 member 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 Tier 1 member 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 Tier 1 member 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. 96-1490, eff. 1-1-11.)

(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 or the 10 years of service required to qualify for a retirement annuity at age 67, 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; 96-1490, eff. 1-1-11.)

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

(40 ILCS 5/15-135) (from Ch. 108 1/2, par. 15-135)

Sec. 15-135. Retirement annuities - Conditions.

(a) This subsection (a) applies only to a Tier 1 member. A participant who retires in one of the following specified years with the specified amount of service is entitled to a retirement annuity at any age under the retirement program applicable to the participant:

35 years if retirement is in 1997 or before;

34 years if retirement is in 1998;

33 years if retirement is in 1999;

32 years if retirement is in 2000;

31 years if retirement is in 2001;

30 years if retirement is in 2002 or later.

A participant with 8 or more years of service after September 1, 1941, is entitled to a retirement annuity on or after attainment of age 55.

A participant with at least 5 but less than 8 years of service after September 1, 1941, is entitled to a retirement annuity on or after attainment of age 62.

A participant who has at least 25 years of service in this system as a police officer or firefighter is entitled to a retirement annuity on or after the attainment of age 50, if Rule 4 of Section 15-136 is applicable to the participant.

(a-5) A Tier 2 member is entitled to a retirement annuity upon written application if he or she has attained age 67 and has at least 10 years of service credit and is otherwise eligible under the requirements of this Article. A Tier 2 member who has attained age 62 and has at least 10 years of service credit and is otherwise eligible under the requirements of this Article may elect to receive the lower retirement annuity provided in subsection (b-5) of Section 15-136 of this Article.

(b) The annuity payment period shall begin on the date specified by the participant or the recipient of a disability retirement annuity submitting a written application, which date shall not be prior to termination of employment or more than one year before the application is received by the board; however, if the participant is not an employee of an employer participating in this System or in a participating system as defined in Article 20 of this Code on April 1 of the calendar year next following the calendar year in which the participant attains age 70 1/2, the annuity payment period shall begin on that date regardless of whether an application has been filed.

(c) An annuity is not payable if the amount provided under Section 15-136 is less than $10 per month.

(Source: P.A. 97-933, eff. 8-10-12; 97-968, eff. 8-16-12.)

(40 ILCS 5/15-136) (from Ch. 108 1/2, par. 15-136)

Sec. 15-136. Retirement annuities - Amount. The provisions of this Section 15-136 apply only to those participants who are participating in the traditional benefit package or the portable benefit package and do not apply to participants who are participating in the self-managed plan.

(a) The amount of a participant's retirement annuity, expressed in the form of a single-life annuity, shall be determined by whichever of the following rules is applicable and provides the largest annuity:

Rule 1: The retirement annuity shall be 1.67% of final rate of earnings 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 in excess of 30; or for persons who retire on or after January 1, 1998, 2.2% of the final rate of earnings for each year of service.

Rule 2: The retirement annuity shall be the sum of the following, determined from amounts credited to the participant in accordance with the actuarial tables and the effective rate of interest in effect at the time the retirement annuity begins:

(i) the normal annuity which can be provided on an actuarially equivalent basis, by the accumulated normal contributions as of the date the annuity begins;

(ii) an annuity from employer contributions of an amount equal to that which can be provided on an actuarially equivalent basis from the accumulated normal contributions made by the participant under Section 15-113.6 and Section 15-113.7 plus 1.4 times all other accumulated normal contributions made by the participant; and

(iii) the annuity that can be provided on an actuarially equivalent basis from the entire contribution made by the participant under Section 15-113.3.

With respect to a police officer or firefighter who retires on or after August 14, 1998, the accumulated normal contributions taken into account under clauses (i) and (ii) of this Rule 2 shall include the additional normal contributions made by the police officer or firefighter under Section 15-157(a).

The amount of a retirement annuity calculated under this Rule 2 shall be computed solely on the basis of the participant's accumulated normal contributions, as specified in this Rule and defined in Section 15-116. Neither an employee or employer contribution for early retirement under Section 15-136.2 nor any other employer contribution shall be used in the calculation of the amount of a retirement annuity under this Rule 2.

This amendatory Act of the 91st General Assembly is a clarification of existing law and applies to every participant and annuitant without regard to whether status as an employee terminates before the effective date of this amendatory Act.

This Rule 2 does not apply to a person who first becomes an employee under this Article on or after July 1, 2005.

Rule 3: The retirement annuity of a participant who is employed at least one-half time during the period on which his or her final rate of earnings is based, shall be equal to the participant's years of service not to exceed 30, multiplied by (1) $96 if the participant's final rate of earnings is less than $3,500, (2) $108 if the final rate of earnings is at least $3,500 but less than $4,500, (3) $120 if the final rate of earnings is at least $4,500 but less than $5,500, (4) $132 if the final rate of earnings is at least $5,500 but less than $6,500, (5) $144 if the final rate of earnings is at least $6,500 but less than $7,500, (6) $156 if the final rate of earnings is at least $7,500 but less than $8,500, (7) $168 if the final rate of earnings is at least $8,500 but less than $9,500, and (8) $180 if the final rate of earnings is $9,500 or more, except that the annuity for those persons having made an election under Section 15-154(a-1) shall be calculated and payable under the portable retirement benefit program pursuant to the provisions of Section 15-136.4.

Rule 4: A participant who is at least age 50 and has 25 or more years of service as a police officer or firefighter, and a participant who is age 55 or over and has at least 20 but less than 25 years of service as a police officer or firefighter, shall be entitled to a retirement annuity of 2 1/4% of the final rate of earnings for each of the first 10 years of service as a police officer or firefighter, 2 1/2% for each of the next 10 years of service as a police officer or firefighter, and 2 3/4% for each year of service as a police officer or firefighter in excess of 20. The retirement annuity for all other service shall be computed under Rule 1. A Tier 2 member is eligible for a retirement annuity calculated under Rule 4 only if that Tier 2 member meets the service requirements for that benefit calculation as prescribed under this Rule 4 in addition to the applicable age requirement under subsection (a-5) of Section 15-135.

For purposes of this Rule 4, a participant's service as a firefighter shall also include the following:

(i) service that is performed while the person is an employee under subsection (h) of Section 15-107; and

(ii) in the case of an individual who was a participating employee employed in the fire department of the University of Illinois's Champaign-Urbana campus immediately prior to the elimination of that fire department and who immediately after the elimination of that fire department transferred to another job with the University of Illinois, service performed as an employee of the University of Illinois in a position other than police officer or firefighter, from the date of that transfer until the employee's next termination of service with the University of Illinois.

Rule 5: The retirement annuity of a participant who elected early retirement under the provisions of Section 15-136.2 and who, on or before February 16, 1995, brought administrative proceedings pursuant to the administrative rules adopted by the System to challenge the calculation of his or her retirement annuity shall be the sum of the following, determined from amounts credited to the participant in accordance with the actuarial tables and the prescribed rate of interest in effect at the time the retirement annuity begins:

(i) the normal annuity which can be provided on an actuarially equivalent basis, by the accumulated normal contributions as of the date the annuity begins; and

(ii) an annuity from employer contributions of an amount equal to that which can be provided on an actuarially equivalent basis from the accumulated normal contributions made by the participant under Section 15-113.6 and Section 15-113.7 plus 1.4 times all other accumulated normal contributions made by the participant; and

(iii) an annuity which can be provided on an actuarially equivalent basis from the employee contribution for early retirement under Section 15-136.2, and an annuity from employer contributions of an amount equal to that which can be provided on an actuarially equivalent basis from the employee contribution for early retirement under Section 15-136.2.

In no event shall a retirement annuity under this Rule 5 be lower than the amount obtained by adding (1) the monthly amount obtained by dividing the combined employee and employer contributions made under Section 15-136.2 by the System's annuity factor for the age of the participant at the beginning of the annuity payment period and (2) the amount equal to the participant's annuity if calculated under Rule 1, reduced under Section 15-136(b) as if no contributions had been made under Section 15-136.2.

With respect to a participant who is qualified for a retirement annuity under this Rule 5 whose retirement annuity began before the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 91st General Assembly, and for whom an employee contribution was made under Section 15-136.2, the System shall recalculate the retirement annuity under this Rule 5 and shall pay any additional amounts due in the manner provided in Section 15-186.1 for benefits mistakenly set too low.

The amount of a retirement annuity calculated under this Rule 5 shall be computed solely on the basis of those contributions specifically set forth in this Rule 5. Except as provided in clause (iii) of this Rule 5, neither an employee nor employer contribution for early retirement under Section 15-136.2, nor any other employer contribution, shall be used in the calculation of the amount of a retirement annuity under this Rule 5.

The General Assembly has adopted the changes set forth in Section 25 of this amendatory Act of the 91st General Assembly in recognition that the decision of the Appellate Court for the Fourth District in Mattis v. State Universities Retirement System et al. might be deemed to give some right to the plaintiff in that case. The changes made by Section 25 of this amendatory Act of the 91st General Assembly are a legislative implementation of the decision of the Appellate Court for the Fourth District in Mattis v. State Universities Retirement System et al. with respect to that plaintiff.

The changes made by Section 25 of this amendatory Act of the 91st General Assembly apply without regard to whether the person is in service as an employee on or after its effective date.

(b) For a Tier 1 member, the The retirement annuity provided under Rules 1 and 3 above shall be reduced by 1/2 of 1% for each month the participant is under age 60 at the time of retirement. However, this reduction shall not apply in the following cases:

(1) For a disabled participant whose disability benefits have been discontinued because he or she has exhausted eligibility for disability benefits under clause (6) of Section 15-152;

(2) For a participant who has at least the number of years of service required to retire at any age under subsection (a) of Section 15-135; or

(3) For that portion of a retirement annuity which has been provided on account of service of the participant during periods when he or she performed the duties of a police officer or firefighter, if these duties were performed for at least 5 years immediately preceding the date the retirement annuity is to begin.

(b-5) The retirement annuity of a Tier 2 member who is retiring after attaining age 62 with at least 10 years of service credit shall be reduced by 1/2 of 1% for each full month that the member's age is under age 67.

(c) The maximum retirement annuity provided under Rules 1, 2, 4, and 5 shall be the lesser of (1) the annual limit of benefits as specified in Section 415 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as such Section may be amended from time to time and as such benefit limits shall be adjusted by the Commissioner of Internal Revenue, and (2) 80% of final rate of earnings.

(d) A Tier 1 member An annuitant whose status as an employee terminates after August 14, 1969 shall receive automatic increases in his or her retirement annuity as follows:

Effective January 1 immediately following the date the retirement annuity begins, the annuitant shall receive an increase in his or her monthly retirement annuity of 0.125% of the monthly retirement annuity provided under Rule 1, Rule 2, Rule 3, or Rule 4, or Rule 5, contained in this Section, multiplied by the number of full months which elapsed from the date the retirement annuity payments began to January 1, 1972, plus 0.1667% of such annuity, multiplied by the number of full months which elapsed from January 1, 1972, or the date the retirement annuity payments began, whichever is later, to January 1, 1978, plus 0.25% of such annuity multiplied by the number of full months which elapsed from January 1, 1978, or the date the retirement annuity payments began, whichever is later, to the effective date of the increase.

The annuitant shall receive an increase in his or her monthly retirement annuity on each January 1 thereafter during the annuitant's life of 3% of the monthly annuity provided under Rule 1, Rule 2, Rule 3, or Rule 4, or Rule 5 contained in this Section. The change made under this subsection by P.A. 81-970 is effective January 1, 1980 and applies to each annuitant whose status as an employee terminates before or after that date.

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 all increases previously granted under this Article.

The change made in this subsection by P.A. 85-1008 is effective January 26, 1988, and is applicable without regard to whether status as an employee terminated before that date.

(d-5) A retirement annuity of a Tier 2 member shall receive 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. 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, whichever is less, of the originally granted retirement annuity. If the annual unadjusted percentage change in the consumer price index-u for the 12 months ending with the September preceding each November 1 is zero or there is a decrease, then the annuity shall not be increased.

(e) If, on January 1, 1987, or the date the retirement annuity payment period begins, whichever is later, the sum of the retirement annuity provided under Rule 1 or Rule 2 of this Section and the automatic annual increases provided under the preceding subsection or Section 15-136.1, amounts to less than the retirement annuity which would be provided by Rule 3, the retirement annuity shall be increased as of January 1, 1987, or the date the retirement annuity payment period begins, whichever is later, to the amount which would be provided by Rule 3 of this Section. Such increased amount shall be considered as the retirement annuity in determining benefits provided under other Sections of this Article. This paragraph applies without regard to whether status as an employee terminated before the effective date of this amendatory Act of 1987, provided that the annuitant was employed at least one-half time during the period on which the final rate of earnings was based.

(f) A participant is entitled to such additional annuity as may be provided on an actuarially equivalent basis, by any accumulated additional contributions to his or her credit. However, the additional contributions made by the participant toward the automatic increases in annuity provided under this Section shall not be taken into account in determining the amount of such additional annuity.

(g) If, (1) by law, a function of a governmental unit, as defined by Section 20-107 of this Code, is transferred in whole or in part to an employer, and (2) a participant transfers employment from such governmental unit to such employer within 6 months after the transfer of the function, and (3) the sum of (A) the annuity payable to the participant under Rule 1, 2, or 3 of this Section (B) all proportional annuities payable to the participant by all other retirement systems covered by Article 20, and (C) the initial primary insurance amount to which the participant is entitled under the Social Security Act, is less than the retirement annuity which would have been payable if all of the participant's pension credits validated under Section 20-109 had been validated under this system, a supplemental annuity equal to the difference in such amounts shall be payable to the participant.

(h) On January 1, 1981, an annuitant who was receiving a retirement annuity on or before January 1, 1971 shall have his or her retirement annuity then being paid increased $1 per month for each year of creditable service. On January 1, 1982, an annuitant whose retirement annuity began on or before January 1, 1977, shall have his or her retirement annuity then being paid increased $1 per month for each year of creditable service.

(i) On January 1, 1987, any annuitant whose retirement annuity began on or before January 1, 1977, shall have the monthly retirement annuity increased by an amount equal to 8¢ per year of creditable service times the number of years that have elapsed since the annuity began.

(Source: P.A. 97-933, eff. 8-10-12; 97-968, eff. 8-16-12.)

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

(40 ILCS 5/15-139) (from Ch. 108 1/2, par. 15-139)

Sec. 15-139. Retirement annuities; cancellation; suspended during employment.

(a) If an annuitant returns to employment for an employer within 60 days after the beginning of the retirement annuity payment period, the retirement annuity shall be cancelled, and the annuitant shall refund to the System the total amount of the retirement annuity payments which he or she received. If the retirement annuity is cancelled, the participant shall continue to participate in the System.

(b) If an annuitant retires prior to age 60 and receives or becomes entitled to receive during any month compensation in excess of the monthly retirement annuity (including any automatic annual increases) for services performed after the date of retirement for any employer under this System, that portion of the monthly retirement annuity provided by employer contributions shall not be payable.

If an annuitant retires at age 60 or over and receives or becomes entitled to receive during any academic year compensation in excess of the difference between his or her highest annual earnings prior to retirement and his or her annual retirement annuity computed under Rule 1, Rule 2, Rule 3, or Rule 4, or Rule 5 of Section 15-136, or under Section 15-136.4, for services performed after the date of retirement for any employer under this System, that portion of the monthly retirement annuity provided by employer contributions shall be reduced by an amount equal to the compensation that exceeds such difference.

However, any remuneration received for serving as a member of the Illinois Educational Labor Relations Board shall be excluded from "compensation" for the purposes of this subsection (b), and serving as a member of the Illinois Educational Labor Relations Board shall not be deemed to be a return to employment for the purposes of this Section. This provision applies without regard to whether service was terminated prior to the effective date of this amendatory Act of 1991.

(c) If an employer certifies that an annuitant has been reemployed on a permanent and continuous basis or in a position in which the annuitant is expected to serve for at least 9 months, the annuitant shall resume his or her status as a participating employee and shall be entitled to all rights applicable to participating employees upon filing with the board an election to forgo all annuity payments during the period of reemployment. Upon subsequent retirement, the retirement annuity shall consist of the annuity which was terminated by the reemployment, plus the additional retirement annuity based upon service granted during the period of reemployment, but the combined retirement annuity shall not exceed the maximum annuity applicable on the date of the last retirement.

The total service and earnings credited before and after the initial date of retirement shall be considered in determining eligibility of the employee or the employee's beneficiary to benefits under this Article, and in calculating final rate of earnings.

In determining the death benefit payable to a beneficiary of an annuitant who again becomes a participating employee under this Section, accumulated normal and additional contributions shall be considered as the sum of the accumulated normal and additional contributions at the date of initial retirement and the accumulated normal and additional contributions credited after that date, less the sum of the annuity payments received by the annuitant.

The survivors insurance benefits provided under Section 15-145 shall not be applicable to an annuitant who resumes his or her status as a participating employee, unless the annuitant, at the time of initial retirement, has a survivors insurance beneficiary who could qualify for such benefits.

If the participant's employment is terminated because of circumstances other than death before 9 months from the date of reemployment, the provisions of this Section regarding resumption of status as a participating employee shall not apply. The normal and survivors insurance contributions which are deducted during this period shall be refunded to the annuitant without interest, and subsequent benefits under this Article shall be the same as those which were applicable prior to the date the annuitant resumed employment.

The amendments made to this Section by this amendatory Act of the 91st General Assembly apply without regard to whether the annuitant was in service on or after the effective date of this amendatory Act.

(Source: P.A. 97-933, eff. 8-10-12; 97-968, eff. 8-16-12.)

(40 ILCS 5/15-139.1 new)

Sec. 15-139.1. Tier 2 member retirement annuities; suspended during employment. If a Tier 2 member is receiving a retirement annuity under this System and becomes a member or participant under any other system or fund created by this Code and is employed on a full-time basis, then the person's retirement annuity shall be suspended during that employment. Upon termination of that employment, the person's retirement annuity shall resume and be recalculated if recalculation is provided for under this Article.

(40 ILCS 5/15-145) (from Ch. 108 1/2, par. 15-145)

Sec. 15-145. Survivors insurance benefits; conditions and amounts.

(a) The survivors insurance benefits provided under this Section shall be payable to the eligible survivors of a Tier 1 member participant covered under the traditional benefit package upon the death of (1) a participating employee with at least 1 1/2 years of service, (2) a participant who terminated employment with at least 10 years of service, and (3) an annuitant in receipt of a retirement annuity or disability retirement annuity under this Article.

Service under the State Employees' Retirement System of Illinois, the Teachers' Retirement System of the State of Illinois and the Public School Teachers' Pension and Retirement Fund of Chicago shall be considered in determining eligibility for survivors benefits under this Section.

If by law, a function of a governmental unit, as defined by Section 20-107, is transferred in whole or in part to an employer, and an employee transfers employment from this governmental unit to such employer within 6 months after the transfer of this function, the service credits in the governmental unit's retirement system which have been validated under Section 20-109 shall be considered in determining eligibility for survivors benefits under this Section.

(b) A surviving spouse of a deceased participant, or of a deceased annuitant who did not take a refund or additional annuity consisting of accumulated survivors insurance contributions, shall receive a survivors annuity of 30% of the final rate of earnings. Payments shall begin on the day following the participant's or annuitant's death or the date the surviving spouse attains age 50, whichever is later, and continue until the death of the surviving spouse. The annuity shall be payable to the surviving spouse prior to attainment of age 50 if the surviving spouse has in his or her care a deceased participant's or annuitant's dependent unmarried child under age 18 (under age 22 if a full-time student) who is eligible for a survivors annuity.

Remarriage of a surviving spouse prior to attainment of age 55 that occurs before the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 91st General Assembly shall disqualify him or her for the receipt of a survivors annuity until July 6, 2000.

A surviving spouse whose survivors annuity has been terminated due to remarriage may apply for reinstatement of that annuity. The reinstated annuity shall begin to accrue on July 6, 2000, except that if, on July 6, 2000, the annuity is payable to an eligible surviving child or parent, payment of the annuity to the surviving spouse shall not be reinstated until the annuity is no longer payable to any eligible surviving child or parent. The reinstated annuity shall include any one-time or annual increases received prior to the date of termination, as well as any increases that would otherwise have accrued from the date of termination to the date of reinstatement. An eligible surviving spouse whose expectation of receiving a survivors annuity was lost due to remarriage before attainment of age 50 shall also be entitled to reinstatement under this subsection, but the resulting survivors annuity shall not begin to accrue sooner than upon the surviving spouse's attainment of age 50.

The changes made to this subsection by this amendatory Act of the 92nd General Assembly (pertaining to remarriage prior to age 55 or 50) apply without regard to whether the deceased participant or annuitant was in service on or after the effective date of this amendatory Act.

(c) Each dependent unmarried child under age 18 (under age 22 if a full-time student) of a deceased participant, or of a deceased annuitant who did not take a refund or additional annuity consisting of accumulated survivors insurance contributions, shall receive a survivors annuity equal to the sum of (1) 20% of the final rate of earnings, and (2) 10% of the final rate of earnings divided by the number of children entitled to this benefit. Payments shall begin on the day following the participant's or annuitant's death and continue until the child marries, dies, or attains age 18 (age 22 if a full-time student). If the child is in the care of a surviving spouse who is eligible for survivors insurance benefits, the child's benefit shall be paid to the surviving spouse.

Each unmarried child over age 18 of a deceased participant or of a deceased annuitant who had a survivor's insurance beneficiary at the time of his or her retirement, and who was dependent upon the participant or annuitant by reason of a physical or mental disability which began prior to the date the child attained age 18 (age 22 if a full-time student), shall receive a survivor's annuity equal to the sum of (1) 20% of the final rate of earnings, and (2) 10% of the final rate of earnings divided by the number of children entitled to survivors benefits. Payments shall begin on the day following the participant's or annuitant's death and continue until the child marries, dies, or is no longer disabled. If the child is in the care of a surviving spouse who is eligible for survivors insurance benefits, the child's benefit may be paid to the surviving spouse. For the purposes of this Section, disability means inability to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment that can be expected to result in death or that has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of at least one year.

(d) Each dependent parent of a deceased participant, or of a deceased annuitant who did not take a refund or additional annuity consisting of accumulated survivors insurance contributions, shall receive a survivors annuity equal to the sum of (1) 20% of final rate of earnings, and (2) 10% of final rate of earnings divided by the number of parents who qualify for the benefit. Payments shall begin when the parent reaches age 55 or the day following the participant's or annuitant's death, whichever is later, and continue until the parent dies. Remarriage of a parent prior to attainment of age 55 shall disqualify the parent for the receipt of a survivors annuity.

(e) In addition to the survivors annuity provided above, each survivors insurance beneficiary shall, upon death of the participant or annuitant, receive a lump sum payment of $1,000 divided by the number of such beneficiaries.

(f) The changes made in this Section by Public Act 81-712 pertaining to survivors annuities in cases of remarriage prior to age 55 shall apply to each survivors insurance beneficiary who remarries after June 30, 1979, regardless of the date that the participant or annuitant terminated his employment or died.

The change made to this Section by this amendatory Act of the 91st General Assembly, pertaining to remarriage prior to age 55, applies without regard to whether the deceased participant or annuitant was in service on or after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 91st General Assembly.

(g) On January 1, 1981, any person who was receiving a survivors annuity on or before January 1, 1971 shall have the survivors annuity then being paid increased by 1% for each full year which has elapsed from the date the annuity began. On January 1, 1982, any survivor whose annuity began after January 1, 1971, but before January 1, 1981, shall have the survivor's annuity then being paid increased by 1% for each year which has elapsed from the date the survivor's annuity began. On January 1, 1987, any survivor who began receiving a survivor's annuity on or before January 1, 1977, shall have the monthly survivor's annuity increased by $1 for each full year which has elapsed since the date the survivor's annuity began.

(h) If the sum of the lump sum and total monthly survivor benefits payable under this Section upon the death of a participant amounts to less than the sum of the death benefits payable under items (2) and (3) of Section 15-141, the difference shall be paid in a lump sum to the beneficiary of the participant who is living on the date that this additional amount becomes payable.

(i) If the sum of the lump sum and total monthly survivor benefits payable under this Section upon the death of an annuitant receiving a retirement annuity or disability retirement annuity amounts to less than the death benefit payable under Section 15-142, the difference shall be paid to the beneficiary of the annuitant who is living on the date that this additional amount becomes payable.

(j) Effective on the later of (1) January 1, 1990, or (2) the January 1 on or next after the date on which the survivor annuity begins, if the deceased member died while receiving a retirement annuity, or in all other cases the January 1 nearest the first anniversary of the date the survivor annuity payments begin, every survivors insurance beneficiary shall receive an increase in his or her monthly survivors annuity of 3%. On each January 1 after the initial increase, the monthly survivors annuity shall be increased by 3% of the total survivors annuity provided under this Article, including previous increases provided by this subsection. Such increases shall apply to the survivors insurance beneficiaries of each participant and annuitant, whether or not the employment status of the participant or annuitant terminates before the effective date of this amendatory Act of 1990. This subsection (j) also applies to persons receiving a survivor annuity under the portable benefit package.

(k) If the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, requires that the survivors benefits be payable at an age earlier than that specified in this Section the benefits shall begin at the earlier age, in which event, the survivor's beneficiary shall be entitled only to that amount which is equal to the actuarial equivalent of the benefits provided by this Section.

(l) The changes made to this Section and Section 15-131 by this amendatory Act of 1997, relating to benefits for certain unmarried children who are full-time students under age 22, apply without regard to whether the deceased member was in service on or after the effective date of this amendatory Act of 1997. These changes do not authorize the repayment of a refund or a re-election of benefits, and any benefit or increase in benefits resulting from these changes is not payable retroactively for any period before the effective date of this amendatory Act of 1997.

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

(40 ILCS 5/15-145.1 new)

Sec. 15-145.1. Survivor's insurance benefits for Tier 2 Members; amount. The initial survivor's insurance benefit of a survivors insurance beneficiary of a Tier 2 member shall be in the amount of 66 2/3% of the Tier 2 member's retirement annuity at the date of death. In the case of the death of a Tier 2 member who has not retired, eligibility for a survivor's insurance benefit shall be determined by the applicable Section of this Article. The initial benefit shall be 66 2/3% of the earned annuity without a reduction due to age and shall be increased (1) on each January 1 occurring on or after the commencement of the annuity if the deceased Tier 2 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 benefit. 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, whichever is less, of the originally granted survivor's insurance benefit. If the annual unadjusted percentage change in the consumer price index-u for the 12 months ending with the September preceding each November 1 is zero or there is a decrease, then the survivor's insurance benefit shall not be increased. A beneficiary of a Tier 2 member who elects the Portable Benefit Package provided under this Article shall not be eligible for the survivor's insurance benefit that is provided under this Section. If 2 or more persons are eligible to receive survivor's insurance benefits as provided under this Section based on the same deceased Tier 2 member, the calculation of the survivor's insurance benefits shall be based on the total calculation of the survivor's insurance benefit and divided pro rata.

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

(40 ILCS 5/15-146.1) (from Ch. 108 1/2, par. 15-146.1)

Sec. 15-146.1. Survivors insurance benefits-Maximum amounts.

(a) The maximum total survivors annuity payable on account of any deceased participating employee shall be the lesser of: (1) 80% of the final rate of earnings; or (2) (A) $400 per month if one survivors insurance beneficiary is entitled to a survivors annuity, or (B) $600 per month if there are 2 or more such beneficiaries.

(b) The maximum total survivors annuity payable on account of the death of any person occurring after retirement or after termination of his or her employee status shall be the lesser of: (1) 80% of the final rate of earnings; (2) (A) $400 per month if one survivors insurance beneficiary is entitled to a survivors annuity, or (B) $600 per month if there are 2 or more such beneficiaries; or (3) 80% of the retirement annuity payable to the annuitant at the date of retirement under the provisions of Rule 1, Rule 2, or Rule 3, or Rule 5 of Section 15-136, or 80% of the retirement annuity which would have been payable to the participant upon attainment of the minimum age at which the penalty for early retirement would not be applicable or the date of death, whichever is later, based upon credits earned as of the date of death.

(c) The maximum total survivors annuity payable on account of the death of any person whose death occurs while in receipt of a disability retirement annuity under Section 15-153.2 shall be the lesser of (1) 80% of his or her final rate of earnings, (2) (A) $400 per month if one survivors insurance beneficiary is entitled to a survivors annuity, or (B) $600 per month if 2 or more survivors insurance beneficiaries qualify for this benefit, or (3) 80% of the retirement annuity which would have been payable upon attainment of the age at which the penalty for early retirement would not be applicable or the date of death, whichever is later, based upon the participant's credits on the date of death, or 80% of the disability retirement annuity whichever is greater.

(d) If the minimum annuity provided under Section 15-146 exceeds the maximum annuity provided under this Section, the minimum annuity shall be payable.

(e) 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.

(f) If a survivors insurance beneficiary qualifies for a survivors or widows annuity because of pension credits established by the participant or annuitant in another system covered by Article 20, and the combined survivors annuities exceed the highest survivors annuity which could be provided by either system based upon the combined pension credits, the survivors annuity payable by this system shall be reduced to that amount which, when added to the survivors annuity payable by the other system, would equal this highest survivors annuity. If the other system has a similar provision for adjustment of the survivors annuity, the respective proportional survivors annuities shall be reduced proportionately according to the ratio which the amount of each proportional survivors annuity bears to the aggregate of all proportional survivors annuities. If a survivors annuity is payable by another system covered by Article 20, and the survivor elects to waive the survivors annuity and accept a lump sum payment or death benefit in lieu of the survivors annuity, this system shall, for the purpose of adjusting the survivors annuity under this subsection, assume that the survivor was entitled to a survivors annuity which, in accordance with actuarial tables of this system, is the actuarial equivalent of the amount of the lump sum payment or death benefit.

(g) The total monthly survivors annuity payable to the beneficiaries of any annuitant who terminated employment before July 14, 1959 and whose death occurs after September 16, 1977 shall not exceed $200.

(h) Whenever a reduction in the survivors annuity is made as authorized above, the survivors annuity to each dependent parent shall be proportionately reduced or eliminated, and if further reduction is necessary, the survivors annuity payable to every other person shall be proportionately decreased.

(i) This Section applies to the survivors insurance benefits provided to the eligible survivors of a Tier 1 member.

(Source: P.A. 91-887, eff. 7-6-00.)

(40 ILCS 5/15-155) (from Ch. 108 1/2, par. 15-155)

Sec. 15-155. Employer contributions.

(a) The State of Illinois shall make contributions by appropriations of amounts which, together with the other employer contributions from trust, federal, and other funds, employee contributions, income from investments, and other income of this System, will be sufficient to meet the cost of maintaining and administering the System on a 90% funded basis in accordance with actuarial recommendations.

The Board shall determine the amount of State contributions required for each fiscal year on the basis of the actuarial tables and other assumptions adopted by the Board and the recommendations of the actuary, using the formula in subsection (a-1).

(a-1) For State fiscal years 2012 through 2045, the minimum contribution to the System to be made by the State for each fiscal year shall be an amount determined by the System to be sufficient to bring the total assets of the System up to 90% of the total actuarial liabilities of the System by the end of State fiscal year 2045. In making these determinations, the required State contribution shall be calculated each year as a level percentage of payroll over the years remaining to and including fiscal year 2045 and shall be determined under the projected unit credit actuarial cost method.

For State fiscal years 1996 through 2005, the State contribution to the System, as a percentage of the applicable employee payroll, shall be increased in equal annual increments so that by State fiscal year 2011, the State is contributing at the rate required under this Section.

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Article, the total required State contribution for State fiscal year 2006 is $166,641,900.

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Article, the total required State contribution for State fiscal year 2007 is $252,064,100.

For each of State fiscal years 2008 through 2009, the State contribution to the System, as a percentage of the applicable employee payroll, shall be increased in equal annual increments from the required State contribution for State fiscal year 2007, so that by State fiscal year 2011, the State is contributing at the rate otherwise required under this Section.

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Article, the total required State contribution for State fiscal year 2010 is $702,514,000 and shall be made from the State Pensions Fund and proceeds of bonds sold in fiscal year 2010 pursuant to Section 7.2 of the General Obligation Bond Act, less (i) the pro rata share of bond sale expenses determined by the System's share of total bond proceeds, (ii) any amounts received from the General Revenue Fund in fiscal year 2010, (iii) any reduction in bond proceeds due to the issuance of discounted bonds, if applicable.

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Article, the total required State contribution for State fiscal year 2011 is the amount recertified by the System on or before April 1, 2011 pursuant to Section 15-165 and shall be made from the State Pensions Fund and proceeds of bonds sold in fiscal year 2011 pursuant to Section 7.2 of the General Obligation Bond Act, less (i) the pro rata share of bond sale expenses determined by the System's share of total bond proceeds, (ii) any amounts received from the General Revenue Fund in fiscal year 2011, and (iii) any reduction in bond proceeds due to the issuance of discounted bonds, if applicable.

Beginning in State fiscal year 2046, the minimum State contribution for each fiscal year shall be the amount needed to maintain the total assets of the System at 90% of the total actuarial liabilities of the System.

Amounts received by the System pursuant to Section 25 of the Budget Stabilization Act or Section 8.12 of the State Finance Act in any fiscal year do not reduce and do not constitute payment of any portion of the minimum State contribution required under this Article in that fiscal year. Such amounts shall not reduce, and shall not be included in the calculation of, the required State contributions under this Article in any future year until the System has reached a funding ratio of at least 90%. A reference in this Article to the "required State contribution" or any substantially similar term does not include or apply to any amounts payable to the System under Section 25 of the Budget Stabilization Act.

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section, the required State contribution for State fiscal year 2005 and for fiscal year 2008 and each fiscal year thereafter, as calculated under this Section and certified under Section 15-165, shall not exceed an amount equal to (i) the amount of the required State contribution that would have been calculated under this Section for that fiscal year if the System had not received any payments under subsection (d) of Section 7.2 of the General Obligation Bond Act, minus (ii) the portion of the State's total debt service payments for that fiscal year on the bonds issued in fiscal year 2003 for the purposes of that Section 7.2, as determined and certified by the Comptroller, that is the same as the System's portion of the total moneys distributed under subsection (d) of Section 7.2 of the General Obligation Bond Act. In determining this maximum for State fiscal years 2008 through 2010, however, the amount referred to in item (i) shall be increased, as a percentage of the applicable employee payroll, in equal increments calculated from the sum of the required State contribution for State fiscal year 2007 plus the applicable portion of the State's total debt service payments for fiscal year 2007 on the bonds issued in fiscal year 2003 for the purposes of Section 7.2 of the General Obligation Bond Act, so that, by State fiscal year 2011, the State is contributing at the rate otherwise required under this Section.

(b) If an employee is paid from trust or federal funds, the employer shall pay to the Board contributions from those funds which are sufficient to cover the accruing normal costs on behalf of the employee. However, universities having employees who are compensated out of local auxiliary funds, income funds, or service enterprise funds are not required to pay such contributions on behalf of those employees. The local auxiliary funds, income funds, and service enterprise funds of universities shall not be considered trust funds for the purpose of this Article, but funds of alumni associations, foundations, and athletic associations which are affiliated with the universities included as employers under this Article and other employers which do not receive State appropriations are considered to be trust funds for the purpose of this Article.

(b-1) The City of Urbana and the City of Champaign shall each make employer contributions to this System for their respective firefighter employees who participate in this System pursuant to subsection (h) of Section 15-107. The rate of contributions to be made by those municipalities shall be determined annually by the Board on the basis of the actuarial assumptions adopted by the Board and the recommendations of the actuary, and shall be expressed as a percentage of salary for each such employee. The Board shall certify the rate to the affected municipalities as soon as may be practical. The employer contributions required under this subsection shall be remitted by the municipality to the System at the same time and in the same manner as employee contributions.

(c) Through State fiscal year 1995: The total employer contribution shall be apportioned among the various funds of the State and other employers, whether trust, federal, or other funds, in accordance with actuarial procedures approved by the Board. State of Illinois contributions for employers receiving State appropriations for personal services shall be payable from appropriations made to the employers or to the System. The contributions for Class I community colleges covering earnings other than those paid from trust and federal funds, shall be payable solely from appropriations to the Illinois Community College Board or the System for employer contributions.

(d) Beginning in State fiscal year 1996, the required State contributions to the System shall be appropriated directly to the System and shall be payable through vouchers issued in accordance with subsection (c) of Section 15-165, except as provided in subsection (g).

(e) The State Comptroller shall draw warrants payable to the System upon proper certification by the System or by the employer in accordance with the appropriation laws and this Code.

(f) Normal costs under this Section means liability for pensions and other benefits which accrues to the System because of the credits earned for service rendered by the participants during the fiscal year and expenses of administering the System, but shall not include the principal of or any redemption premium or interest on any bonds issued by the Board or any expenses incurred or deposits required in connection therewith.

(g) If the amount of a participant's earnings for any academic year used to determine the final rate of earnings, determined on a full-time equivalent basis, exceeds the amount of his or her earnings with the same employer for the previous academic year, determined on a full-time equivalent basis, by more than 6%, the participant's employer shall pay to the System, in addition to all other payments required under this Section and in accordance with guidelines established by the System, the present value of the increase in benefits resulting from the portion of the increase in earnings that is in excess of 6%. This present value shall be computed by the System on the basis of the actuarial assumptions and tables used in the most recent actuarial valuation of the System that is available at the time of the computation. The System may require the employer to provide any pertinent information or documentation.

Whenever it determines that a payment is or may be required under this subsection (g), the System shall calculate the amount of the payment and bill the employer for that amount. The bill shall specify the calculations used to determine the amount due. If the employer disputes the amount of the bill, it may, within 30 days after receipt of the bill, apply to the System in writing for a recalculation. The application must specify in detail the grounds of the dispute and, if the employer asserts that the calculation is subject to subsection (h) or (i) of this Section, must include an affidavit setting forth and attesting to all facts within the employer's knowledge that are pertinent to the applicability of subsection (h) or (i). Upon receiving a timely application for recalculation, the System shall review the application and, if appropriate, recalculate the amount due.

The employer contributions required under this subsection (g) (f) may be paid in the form of a lump sum within 90 days after receipt of the bill. If the employer contributions are not paid within 90 days after receipt of the bill, then interest will be charged at a rate equal to the System's annual actuarially assumed rate of return on investment compounded annually from the 91st day after receipt of the bill. Payments must be concluded within 3 years after the employer's receipt of the bill.

(h) This subsection (h) applies only to payments made or salary increases given on or after June 1, 2005 but before July 1, 2011. The changes made by Public Act 94-1057 shall not require the System to refund any payments received before July 31, 2006 (the effective date of Public Act 94-1057).

When assessing payment for any amount due under subsection (g), the System shall exclude earnings increases paid to participants under contracts or collective bargaining agreements entered into, amended, or renewed before June 1, 2005.

When assessing payment for any amount due under subsection (g), the System shall exclude earnings increases paid to a participant at a time when the participant is 10 or more years from retirement eligibility under Section 15-135.

When assessing payment for any amount due under subsection (g), the System shall exclude earnings increases resulting from overload work, including a contract for summer teaching, or overtime when the employer has certified to the System, and the System has approved the certification, that: (i) in the case of overloads (A) the overload work is for the sole purpose of academic instruction in excess of the standard number of instruction hours for a full-time employee occurring during the academic year that the overload is paid and (B) the earnings increases are equal to or less than the rate of pay for academic instruction computed using the participant's current salary rate and work schedule; and (ii) in the case of overtime, the overtime was necessary for the educational mission.

When assessing payment for any amount due under subsection (g), the System shall exclude any earnings increase resulting from (i) a promotion for which the employee moves from one classification to a higher classification under the State Universities Civil Service System, (ii) a promotion in academic rank for a tenured or tenure-track faculty position, or (iii) a promotion that the Illinois Community College Board has recommended in accordance with subsection (k) of this Section. These earnings increases shall be excluded only if the promotion is to a position that has existed and been filled by a member for no less than one complete academic year and the earnings increase as a result of the promotion is an increase that results in an amount no greater than the average salary paid for other similar positions.

(i) When assessing payment for any amount due under subsection (g), the System shall exclude any salary increase described in subsection (h) of this Section given on or after July 1, 2011 but before July 1, 2014 under a contract or collective bargaining agreement entered into, amended, or renewed on or after June 1, 2005 but before July 1, 2011. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section, any payments made or salary increases given after June 30, 2014 shall be used in assessing payment for any amount due under subsection (g) of this Section.

(j) The System shall prepare a report and file copies of the report with the Governor and the General Assembly by January 1, 2007 that contains all of the following information:

(1) The number of recalculations required by the changes made to this Section by Public Act 94-1057 for each employer.

(2) The dollar amount by which each employer's contribution to the System was changed due to recalculations required by Public Act 94-1057.

(3) The total amount the System received from each employer as a result of the changes made to this Section by Public Act 94-4.

(4) The increase in the required State contribution resulting from the changes made to this Section by Public Act 94-1057.

(k) The Illinois Community College Board shall adopt rules for recommending lists of promotional positions submitted to the Board by community colleges and for reviewing the promotional lists on an annual basis. When recommending promotional lists, the Board shall consider the similarity of the positions submitted to those positions recognized for State universities by the State Universities Civil Service System. The Illinois Community College Board shall file a copy of its findings with the System. The System shall consider the findings of the Illinois Community College Board when making determinations under this Section. The System shall not exclude any earnings increases resulting from a promotion when the promotion was not submitted by a community college. Nothing in this subsection (k) shall require any community college to submit any information to the Community College Board.

(l) For purposes of determining the required State contribution to the System, the value of the System's assets shall be equal to the actuarial value of the System's assets, which shall be calculated as follows:

As of June 30, 2008, the actuarial value of the System's assets shall be equal to the market value of the assets as of that date. In determining the actuarial value of the System's assets for fiscal years after June 30, 2008, any actuarial gains or losses from investment return incurred in a fiscal year shall be recognized in equal annual amounts over the 5-year period following that fiscal year.

(m) For purposes of determining the required State contribution to the system for a particular year, the actuarial value of assets shall be assumed to earn a rate of return equal to the system's actuarially assumed rate of return.

(Source: P.A. 96-43, eff. 7-15-09; 96-1497, eff. 1-14-11; 96-1511, eff. 1-27-11; 96-1554, eff. 3-18-11; 97-813, eff. 7-13-12; revised 10-17-12.)

(40 ILCS 5/15-157) (from Ch. 108 1/2, par. 15-157)

Sec. 15-157. Employee Contributions.

(a) Each participating employee shall make contributions towards the retirement benefits payable under the retirement program applicable to the employee from each payment of earnings applicable to employment under this system on and after the date of becoming a participant as follows: Prior to September 1, 1949, 3 1/2% of earnings; from September 1, 1949 to August 31, 1955, 5%; from September 1, 1955 to August 31, 1969, 6%; from September 1, 1969, 6 1/2%. These contributions are to be considered as normal contributions for purposes of this Article.

Each participant who is a police officer or firefighter shall make normal contributions of 8% of each payment of earnings applicable to employment as a police officer or firefighter under this system on or after September 1, 1981, unless he or she files with the board within 60 days after the effective date of this amendatory Act of 1991 or 60 days after the board receives notice that he or she is employed as a police officer or firefighter, whichever is later, a written notice waiving the retirement formula provided by Rule 4 of Section 15-136. This waiver shall be irrevocable. If a participant had met the conditions set forth in Section 15-132.1 prior to the effective date of this amendatory Act of 1991 but failed to make the additional normal contributions required by this paragraph, he or she may elect to pay the additional contributions plus compound interest at the effective rate. If such payment is received by the board, the service shall be considered as police officer service in calculating the retirement annuity under Rule 4 of Section 15-136. While performing service described in clause (i) or (ii) of Rule 4 of Section 15-136, a participating employee shall be deemed to be employed as a firefighter for the purpose of determining the rate of employee contributions under this Section.

(b) Starting September 1, 1969, each participating employee shall make additional contributions of 1/2 of 1% of earnings to finance a portion of the cost of the annual increases in retirement annuity provided under Section 15-136, except that with respect to participants in the self-managed plan this additional contribution shall be used to finance the benefits obtained under that retirement program.

(c) In addition to the amounts described in subsections (a) and (b) of this Section, each participating employee shall make contributions of 1% of earnings applicable under this system on and after August 1, 1959. The contributions made under this subsection (c) shall be considered as survivor's insurance contributions for purposes of this Article if the employee is covered under the traditional benefit package, and such contributions shall be considered as additional contributions for purposes of this Article if the employee is participating in the self-managed plan or has elected to participate in the portable benefit package and has completed the applicable one-year waiting period. Contributions in excess of $80 during any fiscal year beginning before August 31, 1969 and in excess of $120 during any fiscal year thereafter until September 1, 1971 shall be considered as additional contributions for purposes of this Article.

(d) If the board by board rule so permits and subject to such conditions and limitations as may be specified in its rules, a participant may make other additional contributions of such percentage of earnings or amounts as the participant shall elect in a written notice thereof received by the board.

(e) That fraction of a participant's total accumulated normal contributions, the numerator of which is equal to the number of years of service in excess of that which is required to qualify for the maximum retirement annuity, and the denominator of which is equal to the total service of the participant, shall be considered as accumulated additional contributions. The determination of the applicable maximum annuity and the adjustment in contributions required by this provision shall be made as of the date of the participant's retirement.

(f) Notwithstanding the foregoing, a participating employee shall not be required to make contributions under this Section after the date upon which continuance of such contributions would otherwise cause his or her retirement annuity to exceed the maximum retirement annuity as specified in clause (1) of subsection (c) of Section 15-136.

(g) A participating employee may make contributions for the purchase of service credit under this Article.

(h) A Tier 2 member shall not make contributions on earnings that exceed the limitation as prescribed under subsection (b) of Section 15-111 of this Article.

(Source: P.A. 90-32, eff. 6-27-97; 90-65, eff. 7-7-97; 90-448, eff. 8-16-97; 90-511, eff. 8-22-97; 90-576, eff. 3-31-98; 90-655, eff. 7-30-98; 90-766, eff. 8-14-98.)

(40 ILCS 5/15-158.2)

Sec. 15-158.2. Self-managed plan.

(a) Purpose. The General Assembly finds that it is important for colleges and universities to be able to attract and retain the most qualified employees and that in order to attract and retain these employees, colleges and universities should have the flexibility to provide a defined contribution plan as an alternative for eligible employees who elect not to participate in a defined benefit retirement program provided under this Article. Accordingly, the State Universities Retirement System is hereby authorized to establish and administer a self-managed plan, which shall offer participating employees the opportunity to accumulate assets for retirement through a combination of employee and employer contributions that may be invested in mutual funds, collective investment funds, or other investment products and used to purchase annuity contracts, either fixed or variable or a combination thereof. The plan must be qualified under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.

(b) Adoption by employers. Each employer subject to this Article may elect to adopt the self-managed plan established under this Section; this election is irrevocable. An employer's election to adopt the self-managed plan makes available to the eligible employees of that employer the elections described in Section 15-134.5.

The State Universities Retirement System shall be the plan sponsor for the self-managed plan and shall prepare a plan document and prescribe such rules and procedures as are considered necessary or desirable for the administration of the self-managed plan. Consistent with its fiduciary duty to the participants and beneficiaries of the self-managed plan, the Board of Trustees of the System may delegate aspects of plan administration as it sees fit to companies authorized to do business in this State, to the employers, or to a combination of both.

(c) Selection of service providers and funding vehicles. The System, in consultation with the employers, shall solicit proposals to provide administrative services and funding vehicles for the self-managed plan from insurance and annuity companies and mutual fund companies, banks, trust companies, or other financial institutions authorized to do business in this State. In reviewing the proposals received and approving and contracting with no fewer than 2 and no more than 7 companies, the Board of Trustees of the System shall consider, among other things, the following criteria:

(1) the nature and extent of the benefits that would be provided to the participants;

(2) the reasonableness of the benefits in relation to the premium charged;

(3) the suitability of the benefits to the needs and interests of the participating employees and the employer;

(4) the ability of the company to provide benefits under the contract and the financial stability of the company; and

(5) the efficacy of the contract in the recruitment and retention of employees.

The System, in consultation with the employers, shall periodically review each approved company. A company may continue to provide administrative services and funding vehicles for the self-managed plan only so long as it continues to be an approved company under contract with the Board.

(d) Employee Direction. Employees who are participating in the program must be allowed to direct the transfer of their account balances among the various investment options offered, subject to applicable contractual provisions. The participant shall not be deemed a fiduciary by reason of providing such investment direction. A person who is a fiduciary shall not be liable for any loss resulting from such investment direction and shall not be deemed to have breached any fiduciary duty by acting in accordance with that direction. Neither the System nor the employer guarantees any of the investments in the employee's account balances.

(e) Participation. An employee eligible to participate in the self-managed plan must make a written election in accordance with the provisions of Section 15-134.5 and the procedures established by the System. Participation in the self-managed plan by an electing employee shall begin on the first day of the first pay period following the later of the date the employee's election is filed with the System or the effective date as of which the employee's employer begins to offer participation in the self-managed plan. Employers may not make the self-managed plan available earlier than January 1, 1998. An employee's participation in any other retirement program administered by the System under this Article shall terminate on the date that participation in the self-managed plan begins.

An employee who has elected to participate in the self-managed plan under this Section must continue participation while employed in an eligible position, and may not participate in any other retirement program administered by the System under this Article while employed by that employer or any other employer that has adopted the self-managed plan, unless the self-managed plan is terminated in accordance with subsection (i).

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Article, a Tier 2 member shall have the option to enroll in the self-managed plan.

Participation in the self-managed plan under this Section shall constitute membership in the State Universities Retirement System.

A participant under this Section shall be entitled to the benefits of Article 20 of this Code.

(f) Establishment of Initial Account Balance. If at the time an employee elects to participate in the self-managed plan he or she has rights and credits in the System due to previous participation in the traditional benefit package, the System shall establish for the employee an opening account balance in the self-managed plan, equal to the amount of contribution refund that the employee would be eligible to receive under Section 15-154 if the employee terminated employment on that date and elected a refund of contributions, except that this hypothetical refund shall include interest at the effective rate for the respective years. The System shall transfer assets from the defined benefit retirement program to the self-managed plan, as a tax free transfer in accordance with Internal Revenue Service guidelines, for purposes of funding the employee's opening account balance.

(g) No Duplication of Service Credit. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Article, an employee may not purchase or receive service or service credit applicable to any other retirement program administered by the System under this Article for any period during which the employee was a participant in the self-managed plan established under this Section.

(h) Contributions. The self-managed plan shall be funded by contributions from employees participating in the self-managed plan and employer contributions as provided in this Section.

The contribution rate for employees participating in the self-managed plan under this Section shall be equal to the employee contribution rate for other participants in the System, as provided in Section 15-157. This required contribution shall be made as an "employer pick-up" under Section 414(h) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 or any successor Section thereof. Any employee participating in the System's traditional benefit package prior to his or her election to participate in the self-managed plan shall continue to have the employer pick up the contributions required under Section 15-157. However, the amounts picked up after the election of the self-managed plan shall be remitted to and treated as assets of the self-managed plan. In no event shall an employee have an option of receiving these amounts in cash. Employees may make additional contributions to the self-managed plan in accordance with procedures prescribed by the System, to the extent permitted under rules prescribed by the System.

The program shall provide for employer contributions to be credited to each self-managed plan participant at a rate of 7.6% of the participating employee's salary, less the amount used by the System to provide disability benefits for the employee. The amounts so credited shall be paid into the participant's self-managed plan accounts in a manner to be prescribed by the System.

An amount of employer contribution, not exceeding 1% of the participating employee's salary, shall be used for the purpose of providing the disability benefits of the System to the employee. Prior to the beginning of each plan year under the self-managed plan, the Board of Trustees shall determine, as a percentage of salary, the amount of employer contributions to be allocated during that plan year for providing disability benefits for employees in the self-managed plan.

The State of Illinois shall make contributions by appropriations to the System of the employer contributions required for employees who participate in the self-managed plan under this Section. The amount required shall be certified by the Board of Trustees of the System and paid by the State in accordance with Section 15-165. The System shall not be obligated to remit the required employer contributions to any of the insurance and annuity companies, mutual fund companies, banks, trust companies, financial institutions, or other sponsors of any of the funding vehicles offered under the self-managed plan until it has received the required employer contributions from the State. In the event of a deficiency in the amount of State contributions, the System shall implement those procedures described in subsection (c) of Section 15-165 to obtain the required funding from the General Revenue Fund.

(i) Termination. The self-managed plan authorized under this Section may be terminated by the System, subject to the terms of any relevant contracts, and the System shall have no obligation to reestablish the self-managed plan under this Section. This Section does not create a right to continued participation in any self-managed plan set up by the System under this Section. If the self-managed plan is terminated, the participants shall have the right to participate in one of the other retirement programs offered by the System and receive service credit in such other retirement program for any years of employment following the termination.

(j) Vesting; Withdrawal; Return to Service. A participant in the self-managed plan becomes vested in the employer contributions credited to his or her accounts in the self-managed plan on the earliest to occur of the following: (1) completion of 5 years of service with an employer described in Section 15-106; (2) the death of the participating employee while employed by an employer described in Section 15-106, if the participant has completed at least 1 1/2 years of service; or (3) the participant's election to retire and apply the reciprocal provisions of Article 20 of this Code.

A participant in the self-managed plan who receives a distribution of his or her vested amounts from the self-managed plan while not yet eligible for retirement under this Article (and Article 20, if applicable) shall forfeit all service credit and accrued rights in the System; if subsequently re-employed, the participant shall be considered a new employee. If a former participant again becomes a participating employee (or becomes employed by a participating system under Article 20 of this Code) and continues as such for at least 2 years, all such rights, service credits, and previous status as a participant shall be restored upon repayment of the amount of the distribution, without interest.

(k) Benefit amounts. If an employee who is vested in employer contributions terminates employment, the employee shall be entitled to a benefit which is based on the account values attributable to both employer and employee contributions and any investment return thereon.

If an employee who is not vested in employer contributions terminates employment, the employee shall be entitled to a benefit based solely on the account values attributable to the employee's contributions and any investment return thereon, and the employer contributions and any investment return thereon shall be forfeited. Any employer contributions which are forfeited shall be held in escrow by the company investing those contributions and shall be used as directed by the System for future allocations of employer contributions or for the restoration of amounts previously forfeited by former participants who again become participating employees.

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

(40 ILCS 5/15-159) (from Ch. 108 1/2, par. 15-159)

Sec. 15-159. Board created.

(a) A board of trustees constituted as provided in this Section shall administer this System. The board shall be known as the Board of Trustees of the State Universities Retirement System.

(b) (Blank). Until July 1, 1995, the Board of Trustees shall be constituted as follows:

Two trustees shall be members of the Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois, one shall be a member of the Board of Trustees of Southern Illinois University, one shall be a member of the Board of Trustees of Chicago State University, one shall be a member of the Board of Trustees of Eastern Illinois University, one shall be a member of the Board of Trustees of Governors State University, one shall be a member of the Board of Trustees of Illinois State University, one shall be a member of the Board of Trustees of Northeastern Illinois University, one shall be a member of the Board of Trustees of Northern Illinois University, one shall be a member of the Board of Trustees of Western Illinois University, and one shall be a member of the Illinois Community College Board, selected in each case by their respective boards, and 2 shall be participants of the system appointed by the Governor for a 6 year term with the first appointment made pursuant to this amendatory Act of 1984 to be effective September 1, 1985, and one shall be a participant appointed by the Illinois Community College Board for a 6 year term, and one shall be a participant appointed by the Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois for a 6 year term, and one shall be a participant or annuitant of the system who is a senior citizen age 60 or older appointed by the Governor for a 6 year term with the first appointment to be effective September 1, 1985.

The terms of all trustees holding office under this subsection (b) on June 30, 1995 shall terminate at the end of that day and the Board shall thereafter be constituted as provided in subsection (c).

(c) (Blank). Beginning July 1, 1995, the Board of Trustees shall be constituted as follows:

The Board shall consist of 9 trustees appointed by the Governor. Two of the trustees, designated at the time of appointment, shall be participants of the System. Two of the trustees, designated at the time of appointment, shall be annuitants of the System who are receiving retirement annuities under this Article. The 5 remaining trustees may, but need not, be participants or annuitants of the System.

The term of office of trustees appointed under this subsection (c) shall be 6 years, beginning on July 1. However, of the initial trustees appointed under this subsection (c), 3 shall be appointed for terms of 2 years, 3 shall be appointed for terms of 4 years, and 3 shall be appointed for terms of 6 years, to be designated by the Governor at the time of appointment.

The terms of all trustees holding office under this subsection (c) on the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 96th General Assembly shall terminate on that effective date. The Governor shall make nominations for appointment under this Section within 60 days after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 96th General Assembly. A trustee sitting on the board on the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 96th General Assembly may not hold over in office for more than 90 days after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 96th General Assembly. Nothing in this Section shall prevent the Governor from making a temporary appointment or nominating a trustee holding office on the day before the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 96th General Assembly.

(d) Beginning on the 90th day after April 3, 2009 (the effective date of Public Act 96-6) this amendatory Act of the 96th General Assembly, the Board of Trustees shall be constituted as follows:

(1) The Chairperson of the Board of Higher Education, who shall act as chairperson of this Board.

(2) Four trustees appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate who may not be members of the system or hold an elective State office and who shall serve for a term of 6 years, except that the terms of the initial appointees under this subsection (d) shall be as follows: 2 for a term of 3 years and 2 for a term of 6 years.

(3) Four active participants of the system to be elected from the contributing membership of the system by the contributing members, no more than 2 of which may be from any of the University of Illinois campuses, who shall serve for a term of 6 years, except that the terms of the initial electees shall be as follows: 2 for a term of 3 years and 2 for a term of 6 years.

(4) Two annuitants of the system who have been annuitants for at least one full year, to be elected from and by the annuitants of the system, no more than one of which may be from any of the University of Illinois campuses, who shall serve for a term of 6 years, except that the terms of the initial electees shall be as follows: one for a term of 3 years and one for a term of 6 years.

For the purposes of this Section, the Governor may make a nomination and the Senate may confirm the nominee in advance of the commencement of the nominee's term of office.

(e) The 6 elected trustees shall be elected within 90 days after April 3, 2009 (the effective date of Public Act 96-6) this amendatory Act of the 96th General Assembly for a term beginning on the 90th day after that the effective date of this amendatory Act. Trustees shall be elected thereafter as terms expire for a 6-year term beginning July 15 next following their election, and such election shall be held on May 1, or on May 2 when May 1 falls on a Sunday. The board may establish rules for the election of trustees to implement the provisions of Public Act 96-6 this amendatory Act of the 96th General Assembly and for future elections. Candidates for the participating trustee shall be nominated by petitions in writing, signed by not less than 400 participants with their addresses shown opposite their names. Candidates for the annuitant trustee shall be nominated by petitions in writing, signed by not less than 100 annuitants with their addresses shown opposite their names. If there is more than one qualified nominee for each elected trustee, then the board shall conduct a secret ballot election by mail for that trustee, in accordance with rules as established by the board. If there is only one qualified person nominated by petition for each elected trustee, then the election as required by this Section shall not be conducted for that trustee and the board shall declare such nominee duly elected. A vacancy occurring in the elective membership of the board shall be filled for the unexpired term by the elected trustees serving on the board for the remainder of the term. Nothing in this subsection shall preclude the adoption of rules providing for internet or phone balloting in addition, or as an alternative, to election by mail.

(f) A vacancy in the appointed membership on the board of trustees caused by resignation, death, expiration of term of office, or other reason shall be filled by a qualified person appointed by the Governor for the remainder of the unexpired term.

(g) Trustees (other than the trustees incumbent on June 30, 1995 or as provided in subsection (c) of this Section) shall continue in office until their respective successors are appointed and have qualified, except that a trustee appointed to one of the participant positions shall be disqualified immediately upon the termination of his or her status as a participant and a trustee appointed to one of the annuitant positions shall be disqualified immediately upon the termination of his or her status as an annuitant receiving a retirement annuity.

(h) Each trustee must take an oath of office before a notary public of this State and shall qualify as a trustee upon the presentation to the board of a certified copy of the oath. The oath must state that the person will diligently and honestly administer the affairs of the retirement system, and will not knowingly violate or willfully wilfully permit to be violated any provisions of this Article.

Each trustee shall serve without compensation but shall be reimbursed for expenses necessarily incurred in attending board meetings and carrying out his or her duties as a trustee or officer of the system.

(i) This amendatory Act of 1995 is intended to supersede the changes made to this Section by Public Act 89-4.

(Source: P.A. 96-6, eff. 4-3-09; 96-1000, eff. 7-2-10.)

(40 ILCS 5/15-162) (from Ch. 108 1/2, par. 15-162)

Sec. 15-162. To hold meetings.

To hold regular meetings at least quarterly in each year and special meetings at such times as the chairperson president or a majority of the board deem necessary.

(Source: Laws 1963, p. 161.)

(40 ILCS 5/15-165) (from Ch. 108 1/2, par. 15-165)

Sec. 15-165. To certify amounts and submit vouchers.

(a) The Board shall certify to the Governor on or before November 15 of each year until November 15, 2011 the appropriation required from State funds for the purposes of this System for the following fiscal year. The certification under this subsection (a) shall include a copy of the actuarial recommendations upon which it is based and shall specifically identify the System's projected State normal cost for that fiscal year and the projected State cost for the self-managed plan for that fiscal year.

On or before May 1, 2004, the Board shall recalculate and recertify to the Governor the amount of the required State contribution to the System for State fiscal year 2005, taking into account the amounts appropriated to and received by the System under subsection (d) of Section 7.2 of the General Obligation Bond Act.

On or before July 1, 2005, the Board shall recalculate and recertify to the Governor the amount of the required State contribution to the System for State fiscal year 2006, taking into account the changes in required State contributions made by this amendatory Act of the 94th General Assembly.

On or before April 1, 2011, the Board shall recalculate and recertify to the Governor the amount of the required State contribution to the System for State fiscal year 2011, applying the changes made by Public Act 96-889 to the System's assets and liabilities as of June 30, 2009 as though Public Act 96-889 was approved on that date.

(a-5) On or before November 1 of each year, beginning November 1, 2012, the Board shall submit to the State Actuary, the Governor, and the General Assembly a proposed certification of the amount of the required State contribution to the System for the next fiscal year, along with all of the actuarial assumptions, calculations, and data upon which that proposed certification is based. On or before January 1 of each year, beginning January 1, 2013, the State Actuary shall issue a preliminary report concerning the proposed certification and identifying, if necessary, recommended changes in actuarial assumptions that the Board must consider before finalizing its certification of the required State contributions. On or before January 15, 2013 and each January 15 thereafter, the Board shall certify to the Governor and the General Assembly the amount of the required State contribution for the next fiscal year. The Board's certification must note, in a written response to the State Actuary, any deviations from the State Actuary's recommended changes, the reason or reasons for not following the State Actuary's recommended changes, and the fiscal impact of not following the State Actuary's recommended changes on the required State contribution.

(b) The Board shall certify to the State Comptroller or employer, as the case may be, from time to time, by its chairperson president and secretary, with its seal attached, the amounts payable to the System from the various funds.

(c) Beginning in State fiscal year 1996, on or as soon as possible after the 15th day of each month the Board shall submit vouchers for payment of State contributions to the System, in a total monthly amount of one-twelfth of the required annual State contribution certified under subsection (a). From the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 93rd General Assembly through June 30, 2004, the Board shall not submit vouchers for the remainder of fiscal year 2004 in excess of the fiscal year 2004 certified contribution amount determined under this Section after taking into consideration the transfer to the System under subsection (b) of Section 6z-61 of the State Finance Act. These vouchers shall be paid by the State Comptroller and Treasurer by warrants drawn on the funds appropriated to the System for that fiscal year.

If in any month the amount remaining unexpended from all other appropriations to the System for the applicable fiscal year (including the appropriations to the System under Section 8.12 of the State Finance Act and Section 1 of the State Pension Funds Continuing Appropriation Act) is less than the amount lawfully vouchered under this Section, the difference shall be paid from the General Revenue Fund under the continuing appropriation authority provided in Section 1.1 of the State Pension Funds Continuing Appropriation Act.

(d) So long as the payments received are the full amount lawfully vouchered under this Section, payments received by the System under this Section shall be applied first toward the employer contribution to the self-managed plan established under Section 15-158.2. Payments shall be applied second toward the employer's portion of the normal costs of the System, as defined in subsection (f) of Section 15-155. The balance shall be applied toward the unfunded actuarial liabilities of the System.

(e) In the event that the System does not receive, as a result of legislative enactment or otherwise, payments sufficient to fully fund the employer contribution to the self-managed plan established under Section 15-158.2 and to fully fund that portion of the employer's portion of the normal costs of the System, as calculated in accordance with Section 15-155(a-1), then any payments received shall be applied proportionately to the optional retirement program established under Section 15-158.2 and to the employer's portion of the normal costs of the System, as calculated in accordance with Section 15-155(a-1).

(Source: P.A. 96-1497, eff. 1-14-11; 96-1511, eff. 1-27-11; 97-694, eff. 6-18-12.)

(40 ILCS 5/15-168) (from Ch. 108 1/2, par. 15-168)

Sec. 15-168. To require information.

To require such information as shall be necessary for the proper operation of the system from any participant or , beneficiary or from any employer of a participant officer, department head or other person or persons in authority, as the case may be, of any employer.

(Source: Laws 1963, p. 161.)

(40 ILCS 5/15-169) (from Ch. 108 1/2, par. 15-169)

Sec. 15-169. To elect officers and appoint employees. To elect officers; to appoint a secretary and treasurer; to have a seal; to employ and fix the rate of pay of such actuarial, legal, clerical, audit, or medical, or other services, or corporate trustee organized under the laws of this State with a capital of not less than $1,000,000, or investment counsel and other persons as shall be required for the efficient administration of the system. All actions brought by or against the board shall be prosecuted or defended by the Attorney General or by other counsel, as the board may decide.

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

(40 ILCS 5/15-171) (from Ch. 108 1/2, par. 15-171)

Sec. 15-171. To receive, record and deposit payments.

To receive all payments made to the system; to make a record thereof; and to cause all payments to be deposited immediately with the treasurer of the system. The Board may delegate the actions prescribed under this Section to persons employed by the System.

(Source: Laws 1963, p. 161.)

(40 ILCS 5/15-172) (from Ch. 108 1/2, par. 15-172)

Sec. 15-172. To certify warrants, checks, or drafts. To provide for certification on its behalf by its president and secretary of all warrants, checks, or drafts upon its depository bank or corporate trustee upon its treasurer in accordance with the by-laws and actions of the board authorizing payments for benefits, expenses, investments and debt service, including any redemption premium and required deposits for any bonds of the board, out of funds belonging to this system.

(Source: P.A. 86-1034.)

(40 ILCS 5/15-177) (from Ch. 108 1/2, par. 15-177)

Sec. 15-177. To make rules.

To establish by-laws; to fix the number necessary for a quorum; to set up an executive committee of its members to exercise all powers of the board except as limited by the board; to establish rules and regulations, not inconsistent with the provisions of this Article, as are necessary for the administration of the system; and generally to carry on any other reasonable activities which are deemed necessary to accomplish the purposes of this system, including without limitation the time and manner of reporting contributions by participants and, if applicable, contributions by employers.

(Source: Laws 1963, p. 161.)

(40 ILCS 5/16-106.6 new)

Sec. 16-106.6. Teacher certification. For purposes of this Article, a teacher shall be deemed to be certificated if he or she is required to be licensed by the Illinois State Board of Education.

(40 ILCS 5/16-152) (from Ch. 108 1/2, par. 16-152)

Sec. 16-152. Contributions by members.

(a) Each member shall make contributions for membership service to this System as follows:

(1) Effective July 1, 1998, contributions of 7.50% of salary towards the cost of the retirement annuity. Such contributions shall be deemed "normal contributions".

(2) Effective July 1, 1969, contributions of 1/2 of 1% of salary toward the cost of the automatic annual increase in retirement annuity provided under Section 16-133.1.

(3) Effective July 24, 1959, contributions of 1% of salary towards the cost of survivor benefits. Such contributions shall not be credited to the individual account of the member and shall not be subject to refund except as provided under Section 16-143.2.

(4) Effective July 1, 2005, contributions of 0.40% of salary toward the cost of the early retirement without discount option provided under Section 16-133.2. This contribution shall cease upon termination of the early retirement without discount option as provided in Section 16-176.

(b) The minimum required contribution for any year of full-time teaching service shall be $192.

(c) Contributions shall not be required of any annuitant receiving a retirement annuity who is given employment as permitted under Section 16-118 or 16-150.1.

(d) A person who (i) was a member before July 1, 1998, (ii) retires with more than 34 years of creditable service, and (iii) does not elect to qualify for the augmented rate under Section 16-129.1 shall be entitled, at the time of retirement, to receive a partial refund of contributions made under this Section for service occurring after the later of June 30, 1998 or attainment of 34 years of creditable service, in an amount equal to 1.00% of the salary upon which those contributions were based.

(e) A member's contributions toward the cost of early retirement without discount made under item (a)(4) of this Section shall not be refunded if the member has elected early retirement without discount under Section 16-133.2 and has begun to receive a retirement annuity under this Article calculated in accordance with that election. Otherwise, a member's contributions toward the cost of early retirement without discount made under item (a)(4) of this Section shall be refunded according to whichever one of the following circumstances occurs first:

(1) The contributions shall be refunded to the member, without interest, within 120 days after the member's retirement annuity commences, if the member does not elect early retirement without discount under Section 16-133.2.

(2) The contributions shall be included, without interest, in any refund claimed by the member under Section 16-151.

(3) The contributions shall be refunded to the member's designated beneficiary (or if there is no beneficiary, to the member's estate), without interest, if the member dies without having begun to receive a retirement annuity under this Article.

(4) The contributions shall be refunded to the member, without interest, if within 120 days after the early retirement without discount option provided under Section 16-133.2 is terminated under Section 16-176. In that event, the System shall provide to the member, within 120 days after the option is terminated, an application for a refund of those contributions.

(Source: P.A. 93-320, eff. 7-23-03; 94-4, eff. 6-1-05.)

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