Illinois Statutes Chapter 40. Pensions § 5/2-121.3. Required distributions

(a) A person who would be eligible to receive a survivor's annuity under this Article but for the fact that the person has not yet attained age 50, shall be eligible for a monthly distribution under this subsection (a), provided that the payment of such distribution is required by federal law.

The distribution shall become payable on (i) July 1, 1987, (ii) December 1 of the calendar year immediately following the calendar year in which the deceased spouse died, or (iii) December 1 of the calendar year in which the deceased spouse would have attained age 72, whichever occurs last, and shall remain payable until the first of the following to occur: (1) the person becomes eligible to receive a survivor's annuity under this Article; (2) the end of the month in which the person ceases to be eligible to receive a survivor's annuity upon attainment of age 50, due to remarriage or death; or (3) the end of the month in which such distribution ceases to be required by federal law.

The amount of the distribution shall be fixed at the time the distribution first becomes payable, and shall be calculated in the same manner as a survivor's annuity under Sections 2-121, 2-121.1 and 2-121.2, but excluding: (A) any requirement for an application for the distribution; (B) any automatic annual increases, supplemental increases, or one-time increases that may be provided by law for survivor's annuities; and (C) any lump-sum or death benefit.

(b) For the purpose of this Section, a distribution shall be deemed to be required by federal law if: (1) directly mandated by federal statute, rule, or administrative or court decision; or (2) indirectly mandated through imposition of substantial tax or other penalties for noncompliance.

(c) Notwithstanding Section 1-103.1 of this Code, a member need not be in service on or after the effective date of this amendatory Act of 1989 for the member's surviving spouse to be eligible for a distribution under this Section.