PEN CD-GARS SELF-DIRECTED PLAN

Amends the General Assembly Article of the Illinois Pension Code. Requires the General Assembly Retirement System to establish a self-directed retirement plan. Provides that for persons who become participants on or after the effective date of the amendatory Act, participation in the System shall be limited to participation in the self-directed retirement plan. Allows a Tier 1 or Tier 2 participant to make an irrevocable election to participate in the self-directed retirement plan instead of the defined benefit plan. Makes changes to the pensionable salary for active participants. Provides that upon a participant's first day of participation in the self-directed retirement plan, the participant becomes vested in his or her contributions to the self-directed retirement plan, the employer's contributions to the self-directed retirement plan, and the investment returns attributable to those contributions credited to his or her account. Provides that a member who has filed notice of an election not to participate may become a Tier 3 participant without making a specified required contribution by filing with the board a written rescission of the election not to participate if he or she elects to participate in the self-directed retirement plan. Provides that a member who files the written rescission without making the required contribution and only participates in the self-directed retirement plan may not receive credit for service as a member prior to the date of the rescission. Repeals a provision added by Public Act 98-599, which has been held unconstitutional, that defines "Tier 1 participant" and "Tier 2 participant".