SB1561 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB096 09108 AMC 19251 b

96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2009 and 2010
SB1561

Introduced 2/18/2009, by Sen. Gary Forby

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

See Index

Amends the General Assembly, State Employees, State Universities, Downstate Teachers, and Judges Articles of the Illinois Pension Code. Declares it to be the public policy of this State and the intention of the General Assembly to protect annuitants against significant decreases in the purchasing power of retirement and survivor's annuities. Directs the Systems to review and report on significant changes in purchasing power. Provides for a one-time increase in certain retirement and survivor's annuities. Includes language exempting the changes from provisions concerning new benefit increases. Effective immediately.

FISCAL NOTE ACT MAY APPLY

PENSION IMPACT NOTE ACT MAY APPLY

A BILL FOR

AN ACT in relation to public employee benefits.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 5. The Illinois Pension Code is amended by changing Sections 2-119.01, 2-121.1, 2-124, 2-162, 14-108, 14-109, 14-121, 14-131, 14-152.1, 15-136, 15-136.3, 15-145, 15-155, 15-198, 16-133, 16-136.2, 16-143.1, 16-158, 16-203, 18-125, 18-128.01, 18-131, and 18-169 and adding Sections 2-119.2, 14-109.1, 15-137.1, 16-136.5, and 18-125.2 as follows:

(40 ILCS 5/2-119.01) (from Ch. 108 1/2, par. 2-119.01)

Sec. 2-119.01. Retirement annuities - Amount.

(a) For a participant in service after June 30, 1977 who has not made contributions to this System after January 1, 1982, the annual retirement annuity is 3% for each of the first 8 years of service, plus 4% for each of the next 4 years of service, plus 5% for each year of service in excess of 12 years, based on the participant's highest salary for annuity purposes. The maximum retirement annuity payable shall be 80% of the participant's highest salary for annuity purposes.

(b) For a participant in service after June 30, 1977 who has made contributions to this System on or after January 1, 1982, the annual retirement annuity is 3% for each of the first 4 years of service, plus 3 1/2% for each of the next 2 years of service, plus 4% for each of the next 2 years of service, plus 4 1/2% for each of the next 4 years of service, plus 5% for each year of service in excess of 12 years, of the participant's highest salary for annuity purposes. The maximum retirement annuity payable shall be 85% of the participant's highest salary for annuity purposes.

(c) On July 1, 2009, every annuitant who began receiving a retirement annuity before January 1, 1980 shall have the monthly retirement annuity increased by whichever of the following percentages is applicable:

5% if the annuity began in 1979;

10% if the annuity began in 1978;

14% if the annuity began in 1977;

14% if the annuity began in 1976;

18% if the annuity began in 1975;

23% if the annuity began in 1974;

32% if the annuity began in 1973 or before.

The increase under this subsection shall be calculated as a percentage of the amount of the retirement annuity payable on June 30, 2009, including any increases previously received under this Article, and shall be included in the calculation of increases granted thereafter under Section 2-119.1.

(Source: P.A. 86-1488.)

(40 ILCS 5/2-119.2 new)

Sec. 2-119.2. Reduction of purchasing power; policy; report; increase.

(a) The General Assembly finds and declares that:

(1) The purchasing power of a fixed annuity can be eroded over time by the effects of inflation and increases in the general cost of living.

(2) For a person whose income consists primarily of a fixed annuity, the reduction in purchasing power resulting from increases in the cost of living can become catastrophic over time, transforming a once-comfortable retirement into a time of poverty and need.

(3) The State of Illinois is concerned about the effects that a significant reduction in purchasing power can have on the quality of life of retired employees and their survivors.

(4) The General Assembly has previously addressed this concern by providing for automatic annual increases in retirement and survivor's annuities under this Article. Recognizing that these automatic annual increases, by themselves, are not a complete answer in times of high inflation, the General Assembly has also, from time to time, provided specific one-time increases in annuities for certain categories of annuitants.

(b) It is the public policy of this State and the intention of the General Assembly to protect annuitants against significant decreases in the purchasing power of the retirement and survivor's annuities granted under this Article.

(c) The System shall regularly review the changes that have occurred in the purchasing power of the retirement and survivor's annuities being paid under this Article, and it shall report to the General Assembly, the Governor, and the Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability whenever it determines that the original purchasing power of those annuities has been reduced by 20% or more for any category or group of annuitants. The System may include in the report its recommendations, if any, for legislative action to address its findings.

(d) As used in this Section, the term "retirement and survivor's annuities" means all retirement annuities and those survivors insurance benefits payable in the form of an annuity.

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

Sec. 2-121.1. Survivor's annuity - amount.

(a) A surviving spouse shall be entitled to 66 2/3% of the amount of retirement annuity to which the participant or annuitant was entitled on the date of death, without regard to whether the participant had attained age 55 prior to his or her death, subject to a minimum payment of 10% of salary. If a surviving spouse, regardless of age, has in his or her care at the date of death any eligible child or children of the participant, the survivor's annuity shall be the greater of the following: (1) 66 2/3% of the amount of retirement annuity to which the participant or annuitant was entitled on the date of death, or (2) 30% of the participant's salary increased by 10% of salary on account of each such child, subject to a total payment for the surviving spouse and children of 50% of salary. If eligible children survive but there is no surviving spouse, or if the surviving spouse dies or becomes disqualified by remarriage while eligible children survive, each eligible child shall be entitled to an annuity of 20% of salary, subject to a maximum total payment for all such children of 50% of salary.

However, the survivor's annuity payable under this Section shall not be less than 100% of the amount of retirement annuity to which the participant or annuitant was entitled on the date of death, if he or she is survived by a dependent disabled child.

The salary to be used for determining these benefits shall be the salary used for determining the amount of retirement annuity as provided in Section 2-119.01.

(b) Upon the death of a participant after the termination of service or upon death of an annuitant, the maximum total payment to a surviving spouse and eligible children, or to eligible children alone if there is no surviving spouse, shall be 75% of the retirement annuity to which the participant or annuitant was entitled, unless there is a dependent disabled child among the survivors.

(c) When a child ceases to be an eligible child, the annuity to that child, or to the surviving spouse on account of that child, shall thereupon cease, and the annuity payable to the surviving spouse or other eligible children shall be recalculated if necessary.

Upon the ineligibility of the last eligible child, the annuity shall immediately revert to the amount payable upon death of a participant or annuitant who leaves no eligible children. If the surviving spouse is then under age 50, the annuity as revised shall be deferred until the attainment of age 50.

(d) Beginning January 1, 1990, every survivor's annuity shall be increased (1) on each January 1 occurring on or after the commencement of the annuity if the deceased member died while receiving a retirement annuity, or (2) in other cases, on each January 1 occurring on or after the first anniversary of the commencement of the annuity, by an amount equal to 3% of the current amount of the annuity, including any previous increases under this Article. Such increases shall apply without regard to whether the deceased member was in service on or after the effective date of this amendatory Act of 1991, but shall not accrue for any period prior to January 1, 1990.

(e) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Article, beginning January 1, 1990, the minimum survivor's annuity payable to any person who is entitled to receive a survivor's annuity under this Article shall be $300 per month, without regard to whether or not the deceased participant was in service on the effective date of this amendatory Act of 1989.

(f) In the case of a proportional survivor's annuity arising under the Retirement Systems Reciprocal Act where the amount payable by the System on January 1, 1993 is less than $300 per month, the amount payable by the System shall be increased beginning on that date by a monthly amount equal to $2 for each full year that has expired since the annuity began.

(g) On July 1, 2009, every recipient of a survivor's annuity whose original annuity began before January 1, 1980 shall have the monthly survivor's annuity increased by whichever of the following percentages is applicable:

5% if the original annuity began in 1979;

10% if the original annuity began in 1978;

14% if the original annuity began in 1977;

14% if the original annuity began in 1976;

18% if the original annuity began in 1975;

23% if the original annuity began in 1974;

32% if the original annuity began in 1973 or before.

In the case of the survivor of a deceased annuitant who died while receiving a retirement annuity, "original annuity" means the deceased annuitant's retirement annuity; in all other cases, "original annuity" means the survivor's annuity.

The increase under this subsection shall be calculated as a percentage of the amount of the survivor's annuity payable on June 30, 2009, including any increases previously received under this Article, and shall be included in the calculation of increases granted thereafter under subsection (d).

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

(40 ILCS 5/2-124) (from Ch. 108 1/2, par. 2-124)

Sec. 2-124. Contributions by State.

(a) The State shall make contributions to the System by appropriations of amounts which, together with the contributions of participants, interest earned on investments, and other income will meet the cost of maintaining and administering the System on a 90% funded basis in accordance with actuarial recommendations.

(b) 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 prescribed rate of interest, using the formula in subsection (c). The minimum contribution to the System to be made by the State for each fiscal year shall be the sum of the amount determined under subsection (c).

(c) For State fiscal years 2011 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 $4,157,000.

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Article, the total required State contribution for State fiscal year 2007 is $5,220,300.

For each of State fiscal years 2008 through 2010, 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.

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 2-134, 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 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 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.

(Source: P.A. 94-4, eff. 6-1-05; 94-839, eff. 6-6-06; 95-950, eff. 8-29-08.)

(40 ILCS 5/2-162)

Sec. 2-162. Application and expiration of new benefit increases.

(a) As used in this Section, "new benefit increase" means an increase in the amount of any benefit provided under this Article, or an expansion of the conditions of eligibility for any benefit under this Article, that results from an amendment to this Code that takes effect after June 1, 2005 (the effective date of Public Act 94-4) this amendatory Act of the 94th General Assembly. "New benefit increase", however, does not include any benefit increase resulting from the changes made to this Article by this amendatory Act of the 96th General Assembly.

(b) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Code or any subsequent amendment to this Code, every new benefit increase is subject to this Section and shall be deemed to be granted only in conformance with and contingent upon compliance with the provisions of this Section.

(c) The Public Act enacting a new benefit increase must identify and provide for payment to the System of additional funding at least sufficient to fund the resulting annual increase in cost to the System as it accrues.

Every new benefit increase is contingent upon the General Assembly providing the additional funding required under this subsection. The Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability shall analyze whether adequate additional funding has been provided for the new benefit increase and shall report its analysis to the Public Pension Division of the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. A new benefit increase created by a Public Act that does not include the additional funding required under this subsection is null and void. If the Public Pension Division determines that the additional funding provided for a new benefit increase under this subsection is or has become inadequate, it may so certify to the Governor and the State Comptroller and, in the absence of corrective action by the General Assembly, the new benefit increase shall expire at the end of the fiscal year in which the certification is made.

(d) Every new benefit increase shall expire 5 years after its effective date or on such earlier date as may be specified in the language enacting the new benefit increase or provided under subsection (c). This does not prevent the General Assembly from extending or re-creating a new benefit increase by law.

(e) Except as otherwise provided in the language creating the new benefit increase, a new benefit increase that expires under this Section continues to apply to persons who applied and qualified for the affected benefit while the new benefit increase was in effect and to the affected beneficiaries and alternate payees of such persons, but does not apply to any other person, including without limitation a person who continues in service after the expiration date and did not apply and qualify for the affected benefit while the new benefit increase was in effect.

(Source: P.A. 94-4, eff. 6-1-05.)

(40 ILCS 5/14-108) (from Ch. 108 1/2, par. 14-108)

Sec. 14-108. Amount of retirement annuity. A member who has contributed to the System for at least 12 months shall be entitled to a prior service annuity for each year of certified prior service credited to him, except that a member shall receive 1/3 of the prior service annuity for each year of service for which contributions have been made and all of such annuity shall be payable after the member has made contributions for a period of 3 years. Proportionate amounts shall be payable for service of less than a full year after completion of at least 12 months.

The total period of service to be considered in establishing the measure of prior service annuity shall include service credited in the Teachers' Retirement System of the State of Illinois and the State Universities Retirement System for which contributions have been made by the member to such systems; provided that at least 1 year of the total period of 3 years prescribed for the allowance of a full measure of prior service annuity shall consist of membership service in this system for which credit has been granted.

(a) In the case of a member who retires on or after January 1, 1998 and is a noncovered employee, the retirement annuity for membership service and prior service shall be 2.2% of final average compensation for each year of service. Any service credit established as a covered employee shall be computed as stated in paragraph (b).

(b) In the case of a member who retires on or after January 1, 1998 and is a covered employee, the retirement annuity for membership service and prior service shall be computed as stated in paragraph (a) for all service credit established as a noncovered employee; for service credit established as a covered employee it shall be 1.67% of final average compensation for each year of service.

(c) For a member retiring after attaining age 55 but before age 60 with at least 30 but less than 35 years of creditable service if retirement is before January 1, 2001, or with at least 25 but less than 30 years of creditable service if retirement is on or after January 1, 2001, the retirement annuity shall be reduced by 1/2 of 1% for each month that the member's age is under age 60 at the time of retirement.

(d) A retirement annuity shall not exceed 75% of final average compensation, subject to such extension as may result from the application of Section 14-114 or Section 14-115.

(e) The retirement annuity payable to any covered employee who is a member of the System and in service on January 1, 1969, or in service thereafter in 1969 as a result of legislation enacted by the Illinois General Assembly transferring the member to State employment from county employment in a county Department of Public Aid in counties of 3,000,000 or more population, under a plan of coordination with the Old Age, Survivors and Disability provisions thereof, if not fully insured for Old Age Insurance payments under the Federal Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance provisions at the date of acceptance of a retirement annuity, shall not be less than the amount for which the member would have been eligible if coordination were not applicable.

(f) The retirement annuity payable to any covered employee who is a member of the System and in service on January 1, 1969, or in service thereafter in 1969 as a result of the legislation designated in the immediately preceding paragraph, if fully insured for Old Age Insurance payments under the Federal Social Security Act at the date of acceptance of a retirement annuity, shall not be less than an amount which when added to the Primary Insurance Benefit payable to the member upon attainment of age 65 under such Federal Act, will equal the annuity which would otherwise be payable if the coordinated plan of coverage were not applicable.

(g) In the case of a member who is a noncovered employee, the retirement annuity for membership service as a security employee of the Department of Corrections or security employee of the Department of Human Services shall be: if retirement occurs on or after January 1, 2001, 3% of final average compensation for each year of creditable service; or if retirement occurs before January 1, 2001, 1.9% of final average compensation for each of the first 10 years of service, 2.1% for each of the next 10 years of service, 2.25% for each year of service in excess of 20 but not exceeding 30, and 2.5% for each year in excess of 30; except that the annuity may be calculated under subsection (a) rather than this subsection (g) if the resulting annuity is greater.

(h) In the case of a member who is a covered employee, the retirement annuity for membership service as a security employee of the Department of Corrections or security employee of the Department of Human Services shall be: if retirement occurs on or after January 1, 2001, 2.5% of final average compensation for each year of creditable service; if retirement occurs before January 1, 2001, 1.67% of final average compensation 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.

(i) For the purposes of this Section and Section 14-133 of this Act, the term "security employee of the Department of Corrections" and the term "security employee of the Department of Human Services" shall have the meanings ascribed to them in subsection (c) of Section 14-110.

(j) The retirement annuity computed pursuant to paragraphs (g) or (h) shall be applicable only to those security employees of the Department of Corrections and security employees of the Department of Human Services who have at least 20 years of membership service and who are not eligible for the alternative retirement annuity provided under Section 14-110. However, persons transferring to this System under Section 14-108.2 or 14-108.2c who have service credit under Article 16 of this Code may count such service toward establishing their eligibility under the 20-year service requirement of this subsection; but such service may be used only for establishing such eligibility, and not for the purpose of increasing or calculating any benefit.

(k) (Blank).

(l) The changes to this Section made by this amendatory Act of 1997 (changing certain retirement annuity formulas from a stepped rate to a flat rate) apply to members who retire on or after January 1, 1998, without regard to whether employment terminated before the effective date of this amendatory Act of 1997. An annuity shall not be calculated in steps by using the new flat rate for some steps and the superseded stepped rate for other steps of the same type of service.

(m) On July 1, 2009, every annuitant who began receiving a retirement annuity before January 1, 1980 shall have the monthly retirement annuity increased by whichever of the following percentages is applicable:

5% if the annuity began in 1979;

10% if the annuity began in 1978;

14% if the annuity began in 1977;

14% if the annuity began in 1976;

18% if the annuity began in 1975;

23% if the annuity began in 1974;

32% if the annuity began in 1973 or before.

The increase under this subsection shall be calculated as a percentage of the amount of the retirement annuity payable on June 30, 2009, including any increases previously received under this Article, and shall be included in the calculation of increases granted thereafter under Section 14-114.

(Source: P.A. 91-927, eff. 12-14-00; 92-14, eff. 6-28-01.)

(40 ILCS 5/14-109) (from Ch. 108 1/2, par. 14-109)

Sec. 14-109. Minimum retirement annuity.

(a) Beginning January 1, 1987, 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 14-115, and (3) any amount deducted under Section 14-113 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):

(1) Until January 1, 1997, the minimum monthly retirement benefit amount is the sum of $15 for each year of service as a noncovered employee, plus $7.50 for each year of service as a covered employee, up to a maximum of 30 years of service.

(2) Beginning January 1, 1997, the minimum monthly retirement benefit amount is the sum of $25 for each year of service as a noncovered employee, plus $15 for each year of service as a covered employee, up to a maximum of 30 years of service, plus the amount of the increase received by the annuitant under subsection (m) of Section 14-108, if any.

(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 amendatory Act of 1996.

(Source: P.A. 89-616, eff. 8-9-96.)

(40 ILCS 5/14-109.1 new)

Sec. 14-109.1. Reduction of purchasing power; policy; report; increase.

(a) The General Assembly finds and declares that:

(1) The purchasing power of a fixed annuity can be eroded over time by the effects of inflation and increases in the general cost of living.

(2) For a person whose income consists primarily of a fixed annuity, the reduction in purchasing power resulting from increases in the cost of living can become catastrophic over time, transforming a once-comfortable retirement into a time of poverty and need.

(3) The State of Illinois is concerned about the effects that a significant reduction in purchasing power can have on the quality of life of retired employees and their survivors.

(4) The General Assembly has previously addressed this concern by providing for automatic annual increases in retirement and survivor's annuities under this Article. Recognizing that these automatic annual increases, by themselves, are not a complete answer in times of high inflation, the General Assembly has also, from time to time, provided specific one-time increases in annuities for certain categories of annuitants.

(b) It is the public policy of this State and the intention of the General Assembly to protect annuitants against significant decreases in the purchasing power of the retirement and survivor's annuities granted under this Article.

(c) The System shall regularly review the changes that have occurred in the purchasing power of the retirement and survivor's annuities being paid under this Article, and it shall report to the General Assembly, the Governor, and the Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability whenever it determines that the original purchasing power of those annuities has been reduced by 20% or more for any category or group of annuitants. The System may include in the report its recommendations, if any, for legislative action to address its findings.

(d) As used in this Section, the term "retirement and survivor's annuities" means all retirement annuities and those survivors insurance benefits payable in the form of an annuity.

(40 ILCS 5/14-121) (from Ch. 108 1/2, par. 14-121)

Sec. 14-121. Amount of survivors annuity. A survivors annuity beneficiary shall be entitled upon death of the member to a single sum payment of $1,000, payable pro rata among all persons entitled thereto, together with a survivors annuity payable at the rates and under the conditions specified in this Article.

(a) If the survivors annuity beneficiary is a spouse, the survivors annuity shall be 30% of final average compensation subject to a maximum payment of $400 per month.

(b) If an eligible child or children under the care of a spouse also survives the member, such spouse as natural guardian of the child or children shall receive, in addition to the foregoing annuity, 20% of final average compensation on account of each such child and 10% of final average compensation divided pro rata among such children, subject to a maximum payment on account of all survivor annuity beneficiaries of $600 per month, or 80% of the member's final average compensation, whichever is the lesser.

(c) If the survivors annuity beneficiary or beneficiaries consists of an unmarried child or children, the amount of survivors annuity shall be 20% of final average compensation to each child, and 10% of final average compensation divided pro rata among all such children entitled to such annuity, subject to a maximum payment to all children combined of $600 per month or 80% of the member's final average compensation, whichever is the lesser.

(d) If the survivors annuity beneficiary is one or more dependent parents, the annuity shall be 20% of final average compensation to each parent and 10% of final average compensation divided pro rata among the parents who qualify for this annuity, subject to a maximum payment to both dependent parents of $400 per month.

(e) The survivors annuity to the spouse, children or dependent parents of a member whose death occurs after the date of last withdrawal, or after retirement, or while in service following reentry into service after retirement but before completing 1 1/2 years of additional creditable service, shall not exceed the lesser of 80% of the member's earned retirement annuity at the date of death or the maximum previously established in this Section.

(f) In applying the limitation prescribed on the combined payments to 2 or more survivors annuity beneficiaries, the annuity on account of each beneficiary shall be reduced pro rata until such time as the number of beneficiaries makes the reduction no longer applicable.

(g) A survivors annuity payable on account of any covered employee who shall have been a covered employee for at least 18 months at date of death or last withdrawal, whichever is the later, shall be reduced by 1/2 of the survivors benefits to which his beneficiaries are eligible under the federal Social Security Act, except that (1) the survivors annuity payable under this Article shall not be reduced by any increase under that Act which occurs after the offset required by this subsection is first applied to that annuity, and (2) for benefits granted on or after January 1, 1992, the offset under this subsection (g) shall not exceed 50% of the amount of survivors annuity otherwise payable.

(h) The minimum payment to a beneficiary hereunder shall be $60 per month, which shall be reduced in accordance with the limitation prescribed on the combined payments to all beneficiaries of a member.

(i) Subject to the conditions set forth in Section 14-120, the minimum total survivors annuity benefit payable to the survivors annuity beneficiaries of a deceased member or annuitant whose death occurs on or after January 1, 1984, shall be 50% of the amount of retirement annuity that was or would have been payable to the deceased on the date of death, regardless of the age of the deceased on such date. If the minimum total benefit provided by this subsection exceeds the maximum otherwise imposed by this Section, the minimum total benefit shall nevertheless be payable. Any increase in the total survivors annuity benefit resulting from the operation of this subsection shall be divided among the survivors annuity beneficiaries of the deceased in proportion to their shares of the total survivors annuity benefit otherwise payable under this Section.

(j) Any survivors annuity beneficiary whose annuity terminates due to any condition specified in this Article other than death shall be entitled to a refund of the excess, if any, of the accumulated contributions of the member plus credited interest over all payments to the member and beneficiary or beneficiaries, exclusive of the single sum payment of $1,000, provided no future survivors or reversionary annuity benefits are payable.

(k) Upon the death of the last eligible recipient of a survivors annuity the excess, if any, of the member's accumulated contributions plus credited interest over all annuity payments to the member and survivors exclusive of the single sum payment of $1000, shall be paid to the named beneficiary of the last eligible survivor, or if none has been named, to the estate of the last eligible survivor, provided no reversionary annuity is payable.

(l) On January 1, 1981, any survivor who was receiving a survivors annuity on or before January 1, 1971, shall have his 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 who began receiving a survivor's annuity after January 1, 1971, but before January 1, 1981, shall have his survivor's annuity then being paid increased by 1% for each full year that has elapsed from the date the 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.

(m) Beginning January 1, 1990, every survivor's annuity shall be increased (1) on each January 1 occurring on or after the commencement of the annuity if the deceased member died while receiving a retirement annuity, or (2) in other cases, on each January 1 occurring on or after the first anniversary of the commencement of the annuity, by an amount equal to 3% of the current amount of the annuity, including any previous increases under this Article. Such increases shall apply without regard to whether the deceased member was in service on or after the effective date of Public Act 86-1488, but shall not accrue for any period prior to January 1, 1990.

(n) On July 1, 2009, every recipient of a survivor's annuity whose original annuity began before January 1, 1980 shall have the monthly survivor's annuity increased by whichever of the following percentages is applicable:

5% if the original annuity began in 1979;

10% if the original annuity began in 1978;

14% if the original annuity began in 1977;

14% if the original annuity began in 1976;

18% if the original annuity began in 1975;

23% if the original annuity began in 1974;

32% if the original annuity began in 1973 or before.

In the case of the survivor of a deceased annuitant who died while receiving a retirement annuity, "original annuity" means the deceased annuitant's retirement annuity; in all other cases, "original annuity" means the survivor's annuity.

The increase under this subsection shall be calculated as a percentage of the amount of the survivor's annuity payable on June 30, 2009, including any increases previously received under this Article, and shall be included in the calculation of increases granted thereafter under subsection (m).

(Source: P.A. 86-273; 86-1488; 87-794.)

(40 ILCS 5/14-131) (from Ch. 108 1/2, par. 14-131)

Sec. 14-131. Contributions by State.

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

For the purposes of this Section and Section 14-135.08, references to State contributions refer only to employer contributions and do not include employee contributions that are picked up or otherwise paid by the State or a department on behalf of the employee.

(b) The Board shall determine the total amount of State contributions required for each fiscal year on the basis of the actuarial tables and other assumptions adopted by the Board, using the formula in subsection (e). The minimum contribution to the System to be made by the State for each fiscal year shall be the sum of the amount determined under subsection (e).

The Board shall also determine a State contribution rate for each fiscal year, expressed as a percentage of payroll, based on the total required State contribution for that fiscal year (less the amount received by the System from appropriations under Section 8.12 of the State Finance Act and Section 1 of the State Pension Funds Continuing Appropriation Act, if any, for the fiscal year ending on the June 30 immediately preceding the applicable November 15 certification deadline), the estimated payroll (including all forms of compensation) for personal services rendered by eligible employees, and the recommendations of the actuary.

For the purposes of this Section and Section 14.1 of the State Finance Act, the term "eligible employees" includes employees who participate in the System, persons who may elect to participate in the System but have not so elected, persons who are serving a qualifying period that is required for participation, and annuitants employed by a department as described in subdivision (a)(1) or (a)(2) of Section 14-111.

(c) Contributions shall be made by the several departments for each pay period by warrants drawn by the State Comptroller against their respective funds or appropriations based upon vouchers stating the amount to be so contributed. These amounts shall be based on the full rate certified by the Board under Section 14-135.08 for that fiscal year. From the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 93rd General Assembly through the payment of the final payroll from fiscal year 2004 appropriations, the several departments shall not make contributions for the remainder of fiscal year 2004 but shall instead make payments as required under subsection (a-1) of Section 14.1 of the State Finance Act. The several departments shall resume those contributions at the commencement of fiscal year 2005.

(d) If an employee is paid from trust funds or federal funds, the department or other employer shall pay employer contributions from those funds to the System at the certified rate, unless the terms of the trust or the federal-State agreement preclude the use of the funds for that purpose, in which case the required employer contributions shall be paid by the State. From the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 93rd General Assembly through the payment of the final payroll from fiscal year 2004 appropriations, the department or other employer shall not pay contributions for the remainder of fiscal year 2004 but shall instead make payments as required under subsection (a-1) of Section 14.1 of the State Finance Act. The department or other employer shall resume payment of contributions at the commencement of fiscal year 2005.

(e) For State fiscal years 2011 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; except that (i) for State fiscal year 1998, for all purposes of this Code and any other law of this State, the certified percentage of the applicable employee payroll shall be 5.052% for employees earning eligible creditable service under Section 14-110 and 6.500% for all other employees, notwithstanding any contrary certification made under Section 14-135.08 before the effective date of this amendatory Act of 1997, and (ii) in the following specified State fiscal years, the State contribution to the System shall not be less than the following indicated percentages of the applicable employee payroll, even if the indicated percentage will produce a State contribution in excess of the amount otherwise required under this subsection and subsection (a): 9.8% in FY 1999; 10.0% in FY 2000; 10.2% in FY 2001; 10.4% in FY 2002; 10.6% in FY 2003; and 10.8% in FY 2004.

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Article, the total required State contribution to the System for State fiscal year 2006 is $203,783,900.

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Article, the total required State contribution to the System for State fiscal year 2007 is $344,164,400.

For each of State fiscal years 2008 through 2010, 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.

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 14-135.08, 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 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 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.

(f) After the submission of all payments for eligible employees from personal services line items in fiscal year 2004 have been made, the Comptroller shall provide to the System a certification of the sum of all fiscal year 2004 expenditures for personal services that would have been covered by payments to the System under this Section if the provisions of this amendatory Act of the 93rd General Assembly had not been enacted. Upon receipt of the certification, the System shall determine the amount due to the System based on the full rate certified by the Board under Section 14-135.08 for fiscal year 2004 in order to meet the State's obligation under this Section. The System shall compare this amount due to the amount received by the System in fiscal year 2004 through payments under this Section and under Section 6z-61 of the State Finance Act. If the amount due is more than the amount received, the difference shall be termed the "Fiscal Year 2004 Shortfall" for purposes of this Section, and the Fiscal Year 2004 Shortfall shall be satisfied under Section 1.2 of the State Pension Funds Continuing Appropriation Act. If the amount due is less than the amount received, the difference shall be termed the "Fiscal Year 2004 Overpayment" for purposes of this Section, and the Fiscal Year 2004 Overpayment shall be repaid by the System to the Pension Contribution Fund as soon as practicable after the certification.

(Source: P.A. 94-4, eff. 6-1-05; 94-839, eff. 6-6-06; 95-950, eff. 8-29-08.)

(40 ILCS 5/14-152.1)

Sec. 14-152.1. Application and expiration of new benefit increases.

(a) As used in this Section, "new benefit increase" means an increase in the amount of any benefit provided under this Article, or an expansion of the conditions of eligibility for any benefit under this Article, that results from an amendment to this Code that takes effect after June 1, 2005 (the effective date of Public Act 94-4) this amendatory Act of the 94th General Assembly. "New benefit increase", however, does not include any benefit increase resulting from the changes made to this Article by this amendatory Act of the 96th General Assembly.

(b) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Code or any subsequent amendment to this Code, every new benefit increase is subject to this Section and shall be deemed to be granted only in conformance with and contingent upon compliance with the provisions of this Section.

(c) The Public Act enacting a new benefit increase must identify and provide for payment to the System of additional funding at least sufficient to fund the resulting annual increase in cost to the System as it accrues.

Every new benefit increase is contingent upon the General Assembly providing the additional funding required under this subsection. The Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability shall analyze whether adequate additional funding has been provided for the new benefit increase and shall report its analysis to the Public Pension Division of the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. A new benefit increase created by a Public Act that does not include the additional funding required under this subsection is null and void. If the Public Pension Division determines that the additional funding provided for a new benefit increase under this subsection is or has become inadequate, it may so certify to the Governor and the State Comptroller and, in the absence of corrective action by the General Assembly, the new benefit increase shall expire at the end of the fiscal year in which the certification is made.

(d) Every new benefit increase shall expire 5 years after its effective date or on such earlier date as may be specified in the language enacting the new benefit increase or provided under subsection (c). This does not prevent the General Assembly from extending or re-creating a new benefit increase by law.

(e) Except as otherwise provided in the language creating the new benefit increase, a new benefit increase that expires under this Section continues to apply to persons who applied and qualified for the affected benefit while the new benefit increase was in effect and to the affected beneficiaries and alternate payees of such persons, but does not apply to any other person, including without limitation a person who continues in service after the expiration date and did not apply and qualify for the affected benefit while the new benefit increase was in effect.

(Source: P.A. 94-4, eff. 6-1-05.)

(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 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;

(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.

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) 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.

(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) 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, 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, 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.

(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.

(j) On July 1, 2009, every annuitant who began receiving a retirement annuity before January 1, 1980 shall have the monthly retirement annuity increased by whichever of the following percentages is applicable:

5% if the annuity began in 1979;

10% if the annuity began in 1978;

14% if the annuity began in 1977;

14% if the annuity began in 1976;

18% if the annuity began in 1975;

23% if the annuity began in 1974;

32% if the annuity began in 1973 or before.

The increase under this subsection shall be calculated as a percentage of the amount of the retirement annuity payable on June 30, 2009, including any increases previously received under this Article, and shall be included in the calculation of increases granted thereafter under subsection (d).

(Source: P.A. 93-347, eff. 7-24-03; 94-4, eff. 6-1-05.)

(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, plus the amount of the increase received by the annuitant under subsection (j) of Section 15-136, if any.

(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.

(Source: P.A. 89-616, eff. 8-9-96.)

(40 ILCS 5/15-137.1 new)

Sec. 15-137.1. Reduction of purchasing power; policy; report; increase.

(a) The General Assembly finds and declares that:

(1) The purchasing power of a fixed annuity can be eroded over time by the effects of inflation and increases in the general cost of living.

(2) For a person whose income consists primarily of a fixed annuity, the reduction in purchasing power resulting from increases in the cost of living can become catastrophic over time, transforming a once-comfortable retirement into a time of poverty and need.

(3) The State of Illinois is concerned about the effects that a significant reduction in purchasing power can have on the quality of life of retired employees and their survivors.

(4) The General Assembly has previously addressed this concern by providing for automatic annual increases in retirement and survivor's annuities under this Article. Recognizing that these automatic annual increases, by themselves, are not a complete answer in times of high inflation, the General Assembly has also, from time to time, provided specific one-time increases in annuities for certain categories of annuitants.

(b) It is the public policy of this State and the intention of the General Assembly to protect annuitants against significant decreases in the purchasing power of the retirement and survivor's annuities granted under this Article.

(c) The System shall regularly review the changes that have occurred in the purchasing power of the retirement and survivor's annuities being paid under this Article, and it shall report to the General Assembly, the Governor, and the Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability whenever it determines that the original purchasing power of those annuities has been reduced by 20% or more for any category or group of annuitants. The System may include in the report its recommendations, if any, for legislative action to address its findings.

(d) As used in this Section, the term "retirement and survivor's annuities" means all retirement annuities and those survivors insurance benefits payable in the form of an annuity.

(e) This Section does not apply to any benefits under the self-managed plan.

(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 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.

(g-1) On July 1, 2009, every recipient of a survivor's annuity whose original annuity began before January 1, 1980 shall have the monthly survivor's annuity increased by whichever of the following percentages is applicable:

5% if the original annuity began in 1979;

10% if the original annuity began in 1978;

14% if the original annuity began in 1977;

14% if the original annuity began in 1976;

18% if the original annuity began in 1975;

23% if the original annuity began in 1974;

32% if the original annuity began in 1973 or before.

In the case of the survivor of a deceased annuitant who died while receiving a retirement annuity, "original annuity" means the deceased annuitant's retirement annuity; in all other cases, "original annuity" means the survivor's annuity.

The increase under this subsection shall be calculated as a percentage of the amount of the survivor's annuity payable on June 30, 2009, including any increases previously received under this Article, and shall be included in the calculation of increases granted thereafter under subsection (j).

(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 5/15-155) (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). The minimum contribution to the System to be made by the State for each fiscal year shall be the sum of the amount determined under subsection (a-1).

(a-1) For State fiscal years 2011 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 2010, 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.

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 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 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 (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.

(Source: P.A. 94-4, eff. 6-1-05; 94-839, eff. 6-6-06; 94-1057, eff. 7-31-06; 95-331, eff. 8-21-07; 95-950, eff. 8-29-08.)

(40 ILCS 5/15-198)

Sec. 15-198. Application and expiration of new benefit increases.

(a) As used in this Section, "new benefit increase" means an increase in the amount of any benefit provided under this Article, or an expansion of the conditions of eligibility for any benefit under this Article, that results from an amendment to this Code that takes effect after June 1, 2005 (the effective date of Public Act 94-4) this amendatory Act of the 94th General Assembly. "New benefit increase", however, does not include any benefit increase resulting from the changes made to this Article by this amendatory Act of the 96th General Assembly.

(b) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Code or any subsequent amendment to this Code, every new benefit increase is subject to this Section and shall be deemed to be granted only in conformance with and contingent upon compliance with the provisions of this Section.

(c) The Public Act enacting a new benefit increase must identify and provide for payment to the System of additional funding at least sufficient to fund the resulting annual increase in cost to the System as it accrues.

Every new benefit increase is contingent upon the General Assembly providing the additional funding required under this subsection. The Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability shall analyze whether adequate additional funding has been provided for the new benefit increase and shall report its analysis to the Public Pension Division of the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. A new benefit increase created by a Public Act that does not include the additional funding required under this subsection is null and void. If the Public Pension Division determines that the additional funding provided for a new benefit increase under this subsection is or has become inadequate, it may so certify to the Governor and the State Comptroller and, in the absence of corrective action by the General Assembly, the new benefit increase shall expire at the end of the fiscal year in which the certification is made.

(d) Every new benefit increase shall expire 5 years after its effective date or on such earlier date as may be specified in the language enacting the new benefit increase or provided under subsection (c). This does not prevent the General Assembly from extending or re-creating a new benefit increase by law.

(e) Except as otherwise provided in the language creating the new benefit increase, a new benefit increase that expires under this Section continues to apply to persons who applied and qualified for the affected benefit while the new benefit increase was in effect and to the affected beneficiaries and alternate payees of such persons, but does not apply to any other person, including without limitation a person who continues in service after the expiration date and did not apply and qualify for the affected benefit while the new benefit increase was in effect.

(Source: P.A. 94-4, eff. 6-1-05.)

(40 ILCS 5/16-133) (from Ch. 108 1/2, par. 16-133)

Sec. 16-133. Retirement annuity; amount.

(a) The amount of the retirement annuity shall be (i) in the case of a person who first became a teacher under this Article before July 1, 2005, the larger of the amounts determined under paragraphs (A) and (B) below, or (ii) in the case of a person who first becomes a teacher under this Article on or after July 1, 2005, the amount determined under the applicable provisions of paragraph (B):

(A) An amount consisting of the sum of the following:

(1) An amount that can be provided on an actuarially equivalent basis by the member's accumulated contributions at the time of retirement; and

(2) The sum of (i) the amount that can be provided on an actuarially equivalent basis by the member's accumulated contributions representing service prior to July 1, 1947, and (ii) the amount that can be provided on an actuarially equivalent basis by the amount obtained by multiplying 1.4 times the member's accumulated contributions covering service subsequent to June 30, 1947; and

(3) If there is prior service, 2 times the amount that would have been determined under subparagraph (2) of paragraph (A) above on account of contributions which would have been made during the period of prior service creditable to the member had the System been in operation and had the member made contributions at the contribution rate in effect prior to July 1, 1947.

This paragraph (A) does not apply to a person who first becomes a teacher under this Article on or after July 1, 2005.

(B) An amount consisting of the greater of the following:

(1) For creditable service earned before July 1, 1998 that has not been augmented under Section 16-129.1: 1.67% of final average salary for each of the first 10 years of creditable service, 1.90% of final average salary for each year in excess of 10 but not exceeding 20, 2.10% of final average salary for each year in excess of 20 but not exceeding 30, and 2.30% of final average salary for each year in excess of 30; and

For creditable service earned on or after July 1, 1998 by a member who has at least 24 years of creditable service on July 1, 1998 and who does not elect to augment service under Section 16-129.1: 2.2% of final average salary for each year of creditable service earned on or after July 1, 1998 but before the member reaches a total of 30 years of creditable service and 2.3% of final average salary for each year of creditable service earned on or after July 1, 1998 and after the member reaches a total of 30 years of creditable service; and

For all other creditable service: 2.2% of final average salary for each year of creditable service; or

(2) 1.5% of final average salary for each year of creditable service plus the sum $7.50 for each of the first 20 years of creditable service.

The amount of the retirement annuity determined under this paragraph (B) shall be reduced by 1/2 of 1% for each month that the member is less than age 60 at the time the retirement annuity begins. However, this reduction shall not apply (i) if the member has at least 35 years of creditable service, or (ii) if the member retires on account of disability under Section 16-149.2 of this Article with at least 20 years of creditable service, or (iii) if the member (1) has earned during the period immediately preceding the last day of service at least one year of contributing creditable service as an employee of a department as defined in Section 14-103.04, (2) has earned at least 5 years of contributing creditable service as an employee of a department as defined in Section 14-103.04, (3) retires on or after January 1, 2001, and (4) retires having attained an age which, when added to the number of years of his or her total creditable service, equals at least 85. Portions of years shall be counted as decimal equivalents.

(b) For purposes of this Section, final average salary shall be the average salary for the highest 4 consecutive years within the last 10 years of creditable service as determined under rules of the board. The minimum final average salary shall be considered to be $2,400 per year.

In the determination of final average salary for members other than elected officials and their appointees when such appointees are allowed by statute, that part of a member's salary for any year beginning after June 30, 1979 which exceeds the member's annual full-time salary rate with the same employer for the preceding year by more than 20% shall be excluded. The exclusion shall not apply in any year in which the member's creditable earnings are less than 50% of the preceding year's mean salary for downstate teachers as determined by the survey of school district salaries provided in Section 2-3.103 of the School Code.

(c) In determining the amount of the retirement annuity under paragraph (B) of this Section, a fractional year shall be granted proportional credit.

(d) The retirement annuity determined under paragraph (B) of this Section shall be available only to members who render teaching service after July 1, 1947 for which member contributions are required, and to annuitants who re-enter under the provisions of Section 16-150.

(e) The maximum retirement annuity provided under paragraph (B) of this Section shall be 75% of final average salary.

(f) A member retiring after the effective date of this amendatory Act of 1998 shall receive a pension equal to 75% of final average salary if the member is qualified to receive a retirement annuity equal to at least 74.6% of final average salary under this Article or as proportional annuities under Article 20 of this Code.

(g) On July 1, 2009, every annuitant who began receiving a retirement annuity before January 1, 1980 shall have the monthly retirement annuity increased by whichever of the following percentages is applicable:

5% if the annuity began in 1979;

10% if the annuity began in 1978;

14% if the annuity began in 1977;

14% if the annuity began in 1976;

18% if the annuity began in 1975;

23% if the annuity began in 1974;

32% if the annuity began in 1973 or before.

The increase under this subsection shall be calculated as a percentage of the amount of the retirement annuity payable on June 30, 2009, including any increases previously received under this Article, and shall be included in the calculation of increases granted thereafter under Section 16-133.1.

(Source: P.A. 94-4, eff. 6-1-05.)

(40 ILCS 5/16-136.2) (from Ch. 108 1/2, par. 16-136.2)

Sec. 16-136.2. Minimum retirement annuity.

(a) Any annuitant receiving a retirement annuity under this Article is entitled to such additional amount of retirement annuity under this Section, if necessary, that is sufficient to provide a minimum retirement annuity of $10 per month for each year of creditable service forming the basis of the retirement annuity, up to $300 per month for 30 or more years of creditable service. Effective January 1, 1984, the minimum retirement annuity under this Section is $15 per month per year of service up to $450 per month. Beginning January 1, 1996, the minimum retirement annuity payable under this Section shall be $25 per month for each year of creditable service, up to a maximum of $750 per month for 30 or more years of creditable service, plus the amount of the increase received by the annuitant under subsection (g) of Section 16-133, if any.

An annuitant entitled to an increase in retirement annuity under this Section shall be entitled to such increase in retirement annuity effective the later of (1) September 1 following attainment of age 60; (2) September 1 following the first anniversary in retirement; or (3) the first of the month following receipt of the required qualifying contribution from the annuitant.

(b) An annuitant who qualifies for an additional amount of retirement annuity under subsection (a) of this Section must make a one-time payment of 1% of the monthly average salary for each full year of the creditable service forming the basis of the retirement annuity or, if the retirement annuity was not computed using average salary, 1% of the original monthly retirement annuity for each full year of service forming the basis of the retirement annuity.

(c) The minimum retirement annuity provided under this Section shall continue to be paid only to the extent that funds are available in the minimum retirement annuity reserve established under Section 16-186.3.

(d) The annual increase provided on and after September 1, 1977 under Section 16-136.1 and on and after January 1, 1978 under Section 16-133.1 shall be paid in addition to the minimum retirement annuity. Where an initial increase is first payable on or after September 1, 1977, only that portion of the increase based on the period in retirement after August 31, 1976, under Section 16-136.1 and after December 31, 1976, under Section 16-133.1 may be added to the minimum retirement annuity.

(Source: P.A. 89-21, eff. 6-6-95; 89-25, eff. 6-21-95.)

(40 ILCS 5/16-136.5 new)

Sec. 16-136.5. Reduction of purchasing power; policy; report; increase.

(a) The General Assembly finds and declares that:

(1) The purchasing power of a fixed annuity can be eroded over time by the effects of inflation and increases in the general cost of living.

(2) For a person whose income consists primarily of a fixed annuity, the reduction in purchasing power resulting from increases in the cost of living can become catastrophic over time, transforming a once-comfortable retirement into a time of poverty and need.

(3) The State of Illinois is concerned about the effects that a significant reduction in purchasing power can have on the quality of life of retired employees and their survivors.

(4) The General Assembly has previously addressed this concern by providing for automatic annual increases in retirement and survivor's annuities under this Article. Recognizing that these automatic annual increases, by themselves, are not a complete answer in times of high inflation, the General Assembly has also, from time to time, provided specific one-time increases in annuities for certain categories of annuitants.

(b) It is the public policy of this State and the intention of the General Assembly to protect annuitants against significant decreases in the purchasing power of the retirement and survivor's annuities granted under this Article.

(c) The System shall regularly review the changes that have occurred in the purchasing power of the retirement and survivor's annuities being paid under this Article, and it shall report to the General Assembly, the Governor, and the Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability whenever it determines that the original purchasing power of those annuities has been reduced by 20% or more for any category or group of annuitants. The System may include in the report its recommendations, if any, for legislative action to address its findings.

(d) As used in this Section, the term "retirement and survivor's annuities" means all retirement annuities and those survivors insurance benefits payable in the form of an annuity.

(40 ILCS 5/16-143.1) (from Ch. 108 1/2, par. 16-143.1)

Sec. 16-143.1. Increase in survivor benefits.

(a) Beginning January 1, 1990, each survivor's benefit and each reversionary annuity payable under Section 16-136 shall be increased by 3% of the currently payable amount thereof (1) on each January 1 occurring on or after the commencement of the annuity if the deceased teacher died while receiving a retirement or disability retirement annuity, or (2) in other cases, on each January 1 occurring on or after the first anniversary of the granting of the benefit, without regard to whether the deceased teacher was in service on or after the effective date of this amendatory Act of 1991, but such increases shall not accrue for any period prior to January 1, 1990.

(b) On January 1, 1981, any beneficiary who was receiving a survivor's monthly benefit on or before January 1, 1971, shall have the benefit then being paid increased by 1% for each full year elapsed from the date the survivor's benefit began. On January 1, 1982, any beneficiary who began receiving a survivor's monthly benefit after January 1, 1971, but before January 1, 1981 shall have the benefit then being paid increased by 1% for each year elapsed from the date the survivor's benefit began.

On January 1, 1987, any beneficiary whose monthly survivor's benefit began on or before January 1, 1977, shall have the monthly survivor's benefit increased by $1 for each full year which has elapsed since the date the survivor's benefit began.

(c) On July 1, 2009, every recipient of a survivor's annuity whose original annuity began before January 1, 1980 shall have the monthly survivor's annuity increased by whichever of the following percentages is applicable:

5% if the original annuity began in 1979;

10% if the original annuity began in 1978;

14% if the original annuity began in 1977;

14% if the original annuity began in 1976;

18% if the original annuity began in 1975;

23% if the original annuity began in 1974;

32% if the original annuity began in 1973 or before.

In the case of the survivor of a deceased annuitant who died while receiving a retirement annuity, "original annuity" means the deceased annuitant's retirement annuity; in all other cases, "original annuity" means the survivor's annuity.

The increase under this subsection shall be calculated as a percentage of the amount of the survivor's annuity payable on June 30, 2009, including any increases previously received under this Article, and shall be included in the calculation of increases granted thereafter under subsection (a).

(Source: P.A. 86-273; 86-1488.)

(40 ILCS 5/16-158) (from Ch. 108 1/2, par. 16-158)

Sec. 16-158. Contributions by State and other employing units.

(a) The State shall make contributions to the System by means of appropriations from the Common School Fund and other State funds of amounts which, together with other employer contributions, employee contributions, investment income, and other income, 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 (b-3). The minimum contribution to the System to be made by the State for each fiscal year shall be the sum of the amount determined under subsection (b-3).

(a-1) Annually, on or before November 15, the Board shall certify to the Governor the amount of the required State contribution for the coming fiscal year. The certification shall include a copy of the actuarial recommendations upon which it is based.

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.

(b) Through State fiscal year 1995, the State contributions shall be paid to the System in accordance with Section 18-7 of the School Code.

(b-1) Beginning in State fiscal year 1996, on the 15th day of each month, or as soon thereafter as may be practicable, 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-1). 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 (a) 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 subsection, the difference shall be paid from the Common School Fund under the continuing appropriation authority provided in Section 1.1 of the State Pension Funds Continuing Appropriation Act.

(b-2) Allocations from the Common School Fund apportioned to school districts not coming under this System shall not be diminished or affected by the provisions of this Article.

(b-3) For State fiscal years 2011 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; except that in the following specified State fiscal years, the State contribution to the System shall not be less than the following indicated percentages of the applicable employee payroll, even if the indicated percentage will produce a State contribution in excess of the amount otherwise required under this subsection and subsection (a), and notwithstanding any contrary certification made under subsection (a-1) before the effective date of this amendatory Act of 1998: 10.02% in FY 1999; 10.77% in FY 2000; 11.47% in FY 2001; 12.16% in FY 2002; 12.86% in FY 2003; and 13.56% in FY 2004.

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Article, the total required State contribution for State fiscal year 2006 is $534,627,700.

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Article, the total required State contribution for State fiscal year 2007 is $738,014,500.

For each of State fiscal years 2008 through 2010, 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.

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 subsection (a-1), 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 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 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.

(c) Payment of the required State contributions and of all pensions, retirement annuities, death benefits, refunds, and other benefits granted under or assumed by this System, and all expenses in connection with the administration and operation thereof, are obligations of the State.

If members are paid from special trust or federal funds which are administered by the employing unit, whether school district or other unit, the employing unit shall pay to the System from such funds the full accruing retirement costs based upon that service, as determined by the System. Employer contributions, based on salary paid to members from federal funds, may be forwarded by the distributing agency of the State of Illinois to the System prior to allocation, in an amount determined in accordance with guidelines established by such agency and the System.

(d) Effective July 1, 1986, any employer of a teacher as defined in paragraph (8) of Section 16-106 shall pay the employer's normal cost of benefits based upon the teacher's service, in addition to employee contributions, as determined by the System. Such employer contributions shall be forwarded monthly in accordance with guidelines established by the System.

However, with respect to benefits granted under Section 16-133.4 or 16-133.5 to a teacher as defined in paragraph (8) of Section 16-106, the employer's contribution shall be 12% (rather than 20%) of the member's highest annual salary rate for each year of creditable service granted, and the employer shall also pay the required employee contribution on behalf of the teacher. For the purposes of Sections 16-133.4 and 16-133.5, a teacher as defined in paragraph (8) of Section 16-106 who is serving in that capacity while on leave of absence from another employer under this Article shall not be considered an employee of the employer from which the teacher is on leave.

(e) Beginning July 1, 1998, every employer of a teacher shall pay to the System an employer contribution computed as follows:

(1) Beginning July 1, 1998 through June 30, 1999, the employer contribution shall be equal to 0.3% of each teacher's salary.

(2) Beginning July 1, 1999 and thereafter, the employer contribution shall be equal to 0.58% of each teacher's salary.

The school district or other employing unit may pay these employer contributions out of any source of funding available for that purpose and shall forward the contributions to the System on the schedule established for the payment of member contributions.

These employer contributions are intended to offset a portion of the cost to the System of the increases in retirement benefits resulting from this amendatory Act of 1998.

Each employer of teachers is entitled to a credit against the contributions required under this subsection (e) with respect to salaries paid to teachers for the period January 1, 2002 through June 30, 2003, equal to the amount paid by that employer under subsection (a-5) of Section 6.6 of the State Employees Group Insurance Act of 1971 with respect to salaries paid to teachers for that period.

The additional 1% employee contribution required under Section 16-152 by this amendatory Act of 1998 is the responsibility of the teacher and not the teacher's employer, unless the employer agrees, through collective bargaining or otherwise, to make the contribution on behalf of the teacher.

If an employer is required by a contract in effect on May 1, 1998 between the employer and an employee organization to pay, on behalf of all its full-time employees covered by this Article, all mandatory employee contributions required under this Article, then the employer shall be excused from paying the employer contribution required under this subsection (e) for the balance of the term of that contract. The employer and the employee organization shall jointly certify to the System the existence of the contractual requirement, in such form as the System may prescribe. This exclusion shall cease upon the termination, extension, or renewal of the contract at any time after May 1, 1998.

(f) If the amount of a teacher's salary for any school year used to determine final average salary exceeds the member's annual full-time salary rate with the same employer for the previous school year by more than 6%, the teacher'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 salary 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. If a teacher's salary for the 2005-2006 school year is used to determine final average salary under this subsection (f), then the changes made to this subsection (f) by Public Act 94-1057 shall apply in calculating whether the increase in his or her salary is in excess of 6%. For the purposes of this Section, change in employment under Section 10-21.12 of the School Code on or after June 1, 2005 shall constitute a change in employer. The System may require the employer to provide any pertinent information or documentation. The changes made to this subsection (f) by this amendatory Act of the 94th General Assembly apply without regard to whether the teacher was in service on or after its effective date.

Whenever it determines that a payment is or may be required under this subsection, 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 (g) or (h) 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 that subsection. 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 (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.

(g) This subsection (g) 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 (f), the System shall exclude salary increases paid to teachers under contracts or collective bargaining agreements entered into, amended, or renewed before June 1, 2005.

When assessing payment for any amount due under subsection (f), the System shall exclude salary increases paid to a teacher at a time when the teacher is 10 or more years from retirement eligibility under Section 16-132 or 16-133.2.

When assessing payment for any amount due under subsection (f), the System shall exclude salary increases resulting from overload work, including summer school, when the school district has certified to the System, and the System has approved the certification, that (i) the overload work is for the sole purpose of classroom instruction in excess of the standard number of classes for a full-time teacher in a school district during a school year and (ii) the salary increases are equal to or less than the rate of pay for classroom instruction computed on the teacher's current salary and work schedule.

When assessing payment for any amount due under subsection (f), the System shall exclude a salary increase resulting from a promotion (i) for which the employee is required to hold a certificate or supervisory endorsement issued by the State Teacher Certification Board that is a different certification or supervisory endorsement than is required for the teacher's previous position and (ii) to a position that has existed and been filled by a member for no less than one complete academic year and the salary increase from the promotion is an increase that results in an amount no greater than the lesser of the average salary paid for other similar positions in the district requiring the same certification or the amount stipulated in the collective bargaining agreement for a similar position requiring the same certification.

When assessing payment for any amount due under subsection (f), the System shall exclude any payment to the teacher from the State of Illinois or the State Board of Education over which the employer does not have discretion, notwithstanding that the payment is included in the computation of final average salary.

(h) When assessing payment for any amount due under subsection (f), the System shall exclude any salary increase described in subsection (g) 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 (f) of this Section.

(i) 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.

(Source: P.A. 94-4, eff. 6-1-05; 94-839, eff. 6-6-06; 94-1057, eff. 7-31-06; 94-1111, eff. 2-27-07; 95-331, eff. 8-21-07; 95-950, eff. 8-29-08.)

(40 ILCS 5/16-203)

Sec. 16-203. Application and expiration of new benefit increases.

(a) As used in this Section, "new benefit increase" means an increase in the amount of any benefit provided under this Article, or an expansion of the conditions of eligibility for any benefit under this Article, that results from an amendment to this Code that takes effect after June 1, 2005 (the effective date of Public Act 94-4). "New benefit increase", however, does not include any benefit increase resulting from the changes made to this Article by Public Act 95-910 or this amendatory Act of the 96th 95th General Assembly.

(b) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Code or any subsequent amendment to this Code, every new benefit increase is subject to this Section and shall be deemed to be granted only in conformance with and contingent upon compliance with the provisions of this Section.

(c) The Public Act enacting a new benefit increase must identify and provide for payment to the System of additional funding at least sufficient to fund the resulting annual increase in cost to the System as it accrues.

Every new benefit increase is contingent upon the General Assembly providing the additional funding required under this subsection. The Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability shall analyze whether adequate additional funding has been provided for the new benefit increase and shall report its analysis to the Public Pension Division of the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. A new benefit increase created by a Public Act that does not include the additional funding required under this subsection is null and void. If the Public Pension Division determines that the additional funding provided for a new benefit increase under this subsection is or has become inadequate, it may so certify to the Governor and the State Comptroller and, in the absence of corrective action by the General Assembly, the new benefit increase shall expire at the end of the fiscal year in which the certification is made.

(d) Every new benefit increase shall expire 5 years after its effective date or on such earlier date as may be specified in the language enacting the new benefit increase or provided under subsection (c). This does not prevent the General Assembly from extending or re-creating a new benefit increase by law.

(e) Except as otherwise provided in the language creating the new benefit increase, a new benefit increase that expires under this Section continues to apply to persons who applied and qualified for the affected benefit while the new benefit increase was in effect and to the affected beneficiaries and alternate payees of such persons, but does not apply to any other person, including without limitation a person who continues in service after the expiration date and did not apply and qualify for the affected benefit while the new benefit increase was in effect.

(Source: P.A. 94-4, eff. 6-1-05; 95-910, eff. 8-26-08.)

(40 ILCS 5/18-125) (from Ch. 108 1/2, par. 18-125)

Sec. 18-125. Retirement annuity amount.

(a) The annual retirement annuity for a participant who terminated service as a judge prior to July 1, 1971 shall be based on the law in effect at the time of termination of service.

(b) Effective July 1, 1971, the retirement annuity for any participant in service on or after such date shall be 3 1/2% of final average salary, as defined in this Section, for each of the first 10 years of service, and 5% of such final average salary for each year of service on excess of 10.

For purposes of this Section, final average salary shall be:

(1) the average salary for the last 4 years of credited service as a judge for a participant who terminates service before July 1, 1975.

(2) for a participant who terminates service after June 30, 1975 and before July 1, 1982, the salary on the last day of employment as a judge.

(3) for any participant who terminates service after June 30, 1982 and before January 1, 1990, the average salary for the final year of service as a judge.

(4) for a participant who terminates service on or after January 1, 1990 but before the effective date of this amendatory Act of 1995, the salary on the last day of employment as a judge.

(5) for a participant who terminates service on or after the effective date of this amendatory Act of 1995, the salary on the last day of employment as a judge, or the highest salary received by the participant for employment as a judge in a position held by the participant for at least 4 consecutive years, whichever is greater.

However, in the case of a participant who elects to discontinue contributions as provided in subdivision (a)(2) of Section 18-133, the time of such election shall be considered the last day of employment in the determination of final average salary under this subsection.

The maximum retirement annuity for any participant shall be 85% of final average salary.

(c) The retirement annuity for a participant who retires prior to age 60 with less than 28 years of service in the System shall be reduced 1/2 of 1% for each month that the participant's age is under 60 years at the time the annuity commences. However, for a participant who retires on or after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 91st General Assembly, the percentage reduction in retirement annuity imposed under this subsection shall be reduced by 5/12 of 1% for every month of service in this System in excess of 20 years, and therefore a participant with at least 26 years of service in this System may retire at age 55 without any reduction in annuity.

The reduction in retirement annuity imposed by this subsection shall not apply in the case of retirement on account of disability.

(d) On July 1, 2009, every annuitant who began receiving a retirement annuity before January 1, 1980 shall have the monthly retirement annuity increased by whichever of the following percentages is applicable:

5% if the annuity began in 1979;

10% if the annuity began in 1978;

14% if the annuity began in 1977;

14% if the annuity began in 1976;

18% if the annuity began in 1975;

23% if the annuity began in 1974;

32% if the annuity began in 1973 or before.

The increase under this subsection shall be calculated as a percentage of the amount of the retirement annuity payable on June 30, 2009, including any increases previously received under this Article, and shall be included in the calculation of increases granted thereafter under Section 18-125.1.

(Source: P.A. 91-653, eff. 12-10-99.)

(40 ILCS 5/18-125.2 new)

Sec. 18-125.2. Reduction of purchasing power; policy; report; increase.

(a) The General Assembly finds and declares that:

(1) The purchasing power of a fixed annuity can be eroded over time by the effects of inflation and increases in the general cost of living.

(2) For a person whose income consists primarily of a fixed annuity, the reduction in purchasing power resulting from increases in the cost of living can become catastrophic over time, transforming a once-comfortable retirement into a time of poverty and need.

(3) The State of Illinois is concerned about the effects that a significant reduction in purchasing power can have on the quality of life of retired employees and their survivors.

(4) The General Assembly has previously addressed this concern by providing for automatic annual increases in retirement and survivor's annuities under this Article. Recognizing that these automatic annual increases, by themselves, are not a complete answer in times of high inflation, the General Assembly has also, from time to time, provided specific one-time increases in annuities for certain categories of annuitants.

(b) It is the public policy of this State and the intention of the General Assembly to protect annuitants against significant decreases in the purchasing power of the retirement and survivor's annuities granted under this Article.

(c) The System shall regularly review the changes that have occurred in the purchasing power of the retirement and survivor's annuities being paid under this Article, and it shall report to the General Assembly, the Governor, and the Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability whenever it determines that the original purchasing power of those annuities has been reduced by 20% or more for any category or group of annuitants. The System may include in the report its recommendations, if any, for legislative action to address its findings.

(d) As used in this Section, the term "retirement and survivor's annuities" means all retirement annuities and those survivors insurance benefits payable in the form of an annuity.

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

Sec. 18-128.01. Amount of survivor's annuity.

(a) Upon the death of an annuitant, his or her surviving spouse shall be entitled to a survivor's annuity of 66 2/3% of the annuity the annuitant was receiving immediately prior to his or her death, inclusive of annual increases in the retirement annuity to the date of death.

(b) Upon the death of an active participant, his or her surviving spouse shall receive a survivor's annuity of 66 2/3% of the annuity earned by the participant as of the date of his or her death, determined without regard to whether the participant had attained age 60 as of that time, or 7 1/2% of the last salary of the decedent, whichever is greater.

(c) Upon the death of a participant who had terminated service with at least 10 years of service, his or her surviving spouse shall be entitled to a survivor's annuity of 66 2/3% of the annuity earned by the deceased participant at the date of death.

(d) Upon the death of an annuitant, active participant, or participant who had terminated service with at least 10 years of service, each surviving child under the age of 18 or disabled as defined in Section 18-128 shall be entitled to a child's annuity in an amount equal to 5% of the decedent's final salary, not to exceed in total for all such children the greater of 20% of the decedent's last salary or 66 2/3% of the annuity received or earned by the decedent as provided under subsections (a) and (b) of this Section. This child's annuity shall be paid whether or not a survivor's annuity was elected under Section 18-123.

(e) The changes made in the survivor's annuity provisions by Public Act 82-306 shall apply to the survivors of a deceased participant or annuitant whose death occurs on or after August 21, 1981.

(f) Beginning January 1, 1990, every survivor's annuity shall be increased (1) on each January 1 occurring on or after the commencement of the annuity if the deceased member died while receiving a retirement annuity, or (2) in other cases, on each January 1 occurring on or after the first anniversary of the commencement of the annuity, by an amount equal to 3% of the current amount of the annuity, including any previous increases under this Article. Such increases shall apply without regard to whether the deceased member was in service on or after the effective date of this amendatory Act of 1991, but shall not accrue for any period prior to January 1, 1990.

(g) On July 1, 2009, every recipient of a survivor's annuity whose original annuity began before January 1, 1980 shall have the monthly survivor's annuity increased by whichever of the following percentages is applicable:

5% if the original annuity began in 1979;

10% if the original annuity began in 1978;

14% if the original annuity began in 1977;

14% if the original annuity began in 1976;

18% if the original annuity began in 1975;

23% if the original annuity began in 1974;

32% if the original annuity began in 1973 or before.

In the case of the survivor of a deceased annuitant who died while receiving a retirement annuity, "original annuity" means the deceased annuitant's retirement annuity; in all other cases, "original annuity" means the survivor's annuity.

The increase under this subsection shall be calculated as a percentage of the amount of the survivor's annuity payable on June 30, 2009, including any increases previously received under this Article, and shall be included in the calculation of increases granted thereafter under subsection (f).

(Source: P.A. 86-273; 86-1488.)

(40 ILCS 5/18-131) (from Ch. 108 1/2, par. 18-131)

Sec. 18-131. Financing; employer contributions.

(a) The State of Illinois shall make contributions to this System by appropriations of the amounts which, together with the contributions of participants, net earnings on investments, and other income, will meet the costs of maintaining and administering this System on a 90% funded basis in accordance with actuarial recommendations.

(b) 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 prescribed rate of interest, using the formula in subsection (c). The minimum contribution to the System to be made by the State for each fiscal year shall be the sum of the amount determined under subsection (c).

(c) For State fiscal years 2011 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 $29,189,400.

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Article, the total required State contribution for State fiscal year 2007 is $35,236,800.

For each of State fiscal years 2008 through 2010, 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.

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 18-140, 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 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 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.

(Source: P.A. 94-4, eff. 6-1-05; 94-839, eff. 6-6-06; 95-950, eff. 8-29-08.)

(40 ILCS 5/18-169)

Sec. 18-169. Application and expiration of new benefit increases.

(a) As used in this Section, "new benefit increase" means an increase in the amount of any benefit provided under this Article, or an expansion of the conditions of eligibility for any benefit under this Article, that results from an amendment to this Code that takes effect after June 1, 2005 (the effective date of Public Act 94-4) this amendatory Act of the 94th General Assembly. "New benefit increase", however, does not include any benefit increase resulting from the changes made to this Article by this amendatory Act of the 96th General Assembly.

(b) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Code or any subsequent amendment to this Code, every new benefit increase is subject to this Section and shall be deemed to be granted only in conformance with and contingent upon compliance with the provisions of this Section.

(c) The Public Act enacting a new benefit increase must identify and provide for payment to the System of additional funding at least sufficient to fund the resulting annual increase in cost to the System as it accrues.

Every new benefit increase is contingent upon the General Assembly providing the additional funding required under this subsection. The Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability shall analyze whether adequate additional funding has been provided for the new benefit increase and shall report its analysis to the Public Pension Division of the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. A new benefit increase created by a Public Act that does not include the additional funding required under this subsection is null and void. If the Public Pension Division determines that the additional funding provided for a new benefit increase under this subsection is or has become inadequate, it may so certify to the Governor and the State Comptroller and, in the absence of corrective action by the General Assembly, the new benefit increase shall expire at the end of the fiscal year in which the certification is made.

(d) Every new benefit increase shall expire 5 years after its effective date or on such earlier date as may be specified in the language enacting the new benefit increase or provided under subsection (c). This does not prevent the General Assembly from extending or re-creating a new benefit increase by law.

(e) Except as otherwise provided in the language creating the new benefit increase, a new benefit increase that expires under this Section continues to apply to persons who applied and qualified for the affected benefit while the new benefit increase was in effect and to the affected beneficiaries and alternate payees of such persons, but does not apply to any other person, including without limitation a person who continues in service after the expiration date and did not apply and qualify for the affected benefit while the new benefit increase was in effect.

(Source: P.A. 94-4, eff. 6-1-05.)

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