Section 40 ILCS 5/9-121.9 - Age DiscriminationNotwithstanding any other provisions in this Article, it is the intention of the General Assembly to comply with the federal Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, as amended by the Age Discrimination in Employment Amendments of 1986 and the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1986, as required with respect to benefits for older individuals. For this purpose, if required, the following changes shall govern with respect to other Sections of this Article, effective January 1, 1988 unless otherwise specified:
(1) Contributions. Beginning January 1, 1988, the spouse contribution shall not cease at age 65, but shall continue during the term of service. Beginning January 1, 1988, concurrent county contributions shall be made during the term of service.(2) Money purchase accounts "fixed" at age 65. Beginning January 1, 1988, for all purposes, accruals after age 65 for the accounts of those employees who have not withdrawn or retired shall be "unfixed" with interest from the date fixed to January 1, 1988, without any contribution from the time originally fixed until the effective date of this amendatory Act of 1989. Thereafter, all money purchase accounts shall not be "fixed", but shall continue to accrue until time of withdrawal. No contributions are permitted from the time "fixed" until the time "unfixed".(3) Employee money purchase annuity after age 65. Beginning January 1, 1988, all money purchase annuities shall be computed without limitation for age at time of withdrawal and without being "fixed" at any limiting age.(4) Widows and wives not entitled to annuity. Beginning January 1, 1988, there shall be no requirement that marriage take place before the employee attained age 65. Any "no spouse" refund must be repaid with interest at the effective rate before a spouse annuity is payable.(5) Children. Beginning January 1, 1988, there shall be no age requirement on the employee age for a child's annuity.(6) Compensation and supplemental annuities. The age condition shall remain at 65.(7) Accounting. Beginning January 1, 1988, or as soon as practical, the Annuity Payment Fund Accounts and the Prior Service Fund Accounts "fixed" shall be "unfixed" and the appropriate amounts returned to the Salary Deduction Fund Account and the corresponding County Contribution Fund Account.(8) Refunds. Beginning immediately, there shall be no in-service distribution of a "no spouse" refund. Such distribution, if any, shall be made as otherwise provided. Likewise, there shall be no other refund of deductions after fixed or excess cost. Any "no spouse" refund must be repaid with interest at the effective rate before a spouse annuity is payable.(9) Re-entry into service. Beginning January 1, 1988, for any re-entry into service after age 65, the employee's money purchase annuity and the widow's money purchase annuity may be recomputed if it is more beneficial to do so.(10) Computation. Benefits using accruals after age 65 will begin to be computed January 1, 1988. No benefits will be recomputed for any annuitant who has withdrawn before January 1, 1988.(11) Participation. Effective immediately, this Article shall apply to all persons eligible to participate regardless of age. Beginning immediately all eligible persons previously excluded from participation in the fund either voluntarily or involuntarily, shall be enrolled as participants and contributions shall begin and continue during the term of service.