Firemen's Annuity and Benefit Fund of Chicago


A RETIREMENT FUND DEDICATED TO THOSE WHO ARE THERE FOR OTHERS





*The following information is presented for general informational purposes only and should not be relied on as legal interpretation. The provision of Fund benefits is governed by the Illinois Pension Code (40 ILCS 5/1 et seq). Specific information relating to the Fund may be found in Article 6 of the Illinois Pension Code (40 ILCS 5/6) and expressly supersedes anything stated or implied herein to the contrary.

Frequently Asked Questions


Are participant’s retirement annuity benefits subject to federal income tax?

Retirement benefits are subject to federal income tax. However, participant contributions made prior to January 1, 1982 were taxed as income at the time you received that payroll and are non-taxable as distributed by the Fund as retirement income. Each year a portion of retirement income will be considered non-taxable (excluded) until those contributions are exhausted. Participants receive a 1099R in January stating the amount of their taxable benefit.

If a participant paid into social security, are they entitled to receive social security benefits as well pension benefits?

Social Security benefits may be reduced for participants entitled to receive pensions from State and Municipal pension plans. Participants may contact the Social Security administration at 800-772-1213 or visit the website at www.ssa.gov to determine what benefits you may be entitled to.

What if a participant becomes mentally or physically disabled and cannot handle their affairs while in receipt of a benefit?

If a participant should become mentally or physically disabled, the Retirement Board has the ability to approve payment of benefits to the individual(s) legally authorized to care for them. This usually can be done with a power of attorney and a doctor’s letter confirming the participant is disabled. Certain other instances may require that Court ordered Guardianship on behalf of a participant be established.

What happens when a Participant’s ordinary disability benefit terminates and they are still disabled?

A participant who continues to be disabled beyond the maximum period of eligibility for ordinary disability and who withdraws while still so disabled and before age 50, with less than 20 years of service, may be eligible for an annuity provided from the amounts accumulated to their credit from salary deductions and contributions by the city for retirement annuity or may elect to take a refund of the amounts they contributed to the Fund.

Can participants move out of state, while in receipt of a disability benefit?

Participants may be granted permission to reside out of state by the Retirement Board. All requests to reside out of state must be in writing. The Board will review requests at a scheduled Board meeting and advise participants of their decision

After a participant retires, will they be eligible for health care coverage provided by the employer?

Pursuant to the labor contract between the City of Chicago and Chicago Firefighters union, Local No. 2 dated July 1, 2012 through June 30, 2017 some employees retiring at age 55 may be eligible to participate in a healthcare incentive program. Additionally, the contract provides that all employees retirng at age 60 will receive City-paid healthcare.

When should a participant contact the Pension Fund when planning on retirement?

Participants may contact the Fund at any time concerning their benefits. Participants may request a written estimate of benefits prior to retirement. Detailed estimates of retirement benefits, based on a specific anticipated date of retirement, will be prepared for participants upon request. Because of the many variables that impact upon a member’s final retirement annuity, detailed estimates are not prepared for periods beyond two years of estimated retirement.Any estimates provided are merely “estimates” and are not binding on the Fund and should not be conclusively relied upon. All benefits must be actually granted by the Retirement Board in accordance with the provisions of the Act.

What is the procedure that participants should follow to formally retire?

After having received an estimate of your retirement benefits based upon a fixed date of retirement, participants should contact The Chicago Fire Department Personnel division 1338 S. Clinton at 312-746-6964 to make an appointment to complete all necessary paperwork, including a formal resignation from the Chicago Fire Department. Upon receiving an appointment with CFD Personnel Dept., contact the Fund office at 312-726-5823 for an appointment to complete a formal application for retirement benefits. The appointment with the Fund must be after an employee’s appointment with CFD Personnel as documentation completed at the CFD exit interview is necessary for applying for annuity benefits with the Fund.

Should participants bring any information to their retirement appointment?

Participants retiring from active employment must bring a copy of the City of Chicago, “End of Employment Form” that is provided by the Chicago Fire Department Personnel Department at the time of resignation. Participants should also bring certified or original copies of any certificates not on file with the Fund, the social security numbers for anyone they would ike on the ir insurance and a voided check if requesting direct deposit.

When can a participant expect to receive the first payment of their retirement annuity?

Normally, a participant receives their first annuity check at the end of the month immediately succeeding the month the participant actually left employment with the Chicago Fire Department. However, the Fund cannot calculate a final benefit amount until final payroll data is received from the City of Chicago. Upon receipt of final payroll data, staff completes final calculations based on this information and presents this information to the Board to grant the benefit application. The Board reviews and approves applications once a month at its regularly scheduled Board meeting, generally the third Wednesday of every month.

Retirement Benefits are always paid on the last business day of each month.

Can participants purchase time lost during their careers with the Fire Department that affects pension contributions and service credit?

Under certain circumstances, time loss is eligible for purchase under applicable governing pension statutes. Upon request, Fund staff will advise participants of the amounts of eligible service available that may be purchased. Calculations of the required contributions and applicable interest will be included. Service Credit generally eligible for purchase include military service, the 23 days in 1980 which reflects strike time, periods of employment as a sworn Chicago Police Officer, periods of suspension from duty not to exceed a total of one year during the total period of service and previously unpaid refunds of contributions within certain timeframes.

Are pension deductions taken on all wages paid to participants?

Under certain circumstances, time loss is eligible for purchase under applicable governing pension statutes. Upon request, Fund staff will advise participants of the amounts of eligible service available that may be purchased. Calculations of the required contributions and applicable interest will be included. Service Credit generally eligible for purchase include military service, the 23 days in 1980 which reflects strike time, periods of employment as a sworn Chicago Police Officer, periods of suspension from duty not to exceed a total of one year during the total period of service and previously unpaid refunds of contributions within certain timeframes.

As an active participant are my pension contributions earning interest?

During years of active service, participant contributions for retirement and spousal annuities are improved with 3% interest. Contributions for the automatic increase and ordinary disability benefit do not earn interest.

Does the City match participant contributions?

The city's contributions are set by statute. Currently, the city contributes a static dollar amount through year 2020. In 2020 the city is required to contribute an annual amount sufferment to bring the total asets of the Fund up to 90% of the total actuarial liability of the Fund by the end of fiscal year 2055.

Can participants take a loan out against their contributions?

State statutes that govern the benefit provisions of the plan do not permit participant loans or partial withdrawals.

Are Employer contributions posted to a participant’s credit refundable to the participant?

Only the amount participants contribute while active and statutory 3% interest on the retirement and spousal annuity portion are refundable to the participant. The 1/8th of 1% that participants contribute for ordinary disability benefits is not refundable to them.

What if the spouse of a participant dies or is divorced after retirement, can participants receive a refund of the contributions made for spousal annuity?

If the spouse pre-deceases a participant or should the participant and spouse divorce after retirement, the contributions made on the spouse’s behalf are not refundable to the participant.

What if a participant dies before collecting retirement benefits that exceed the contributions made by the participant? What happens to the contributions?

Generally, the benefits paid to retired participants will exceed the total amount of their contributions within two years of retirement. Upon the death of a participant, the balance of accumulated contributions that were not paid out, in either the form of an annuity for a participant, spouse or children, are refunded to the participant’s estate as named either in a Will, Small Estate Affidavit or Letters of Office. Participants should consult with their personal attorney to discuss this issue.

What is the difference of a Small Estate Affidavit and Letters of Office (Administration)?

When the total value of an Illinois decedent’s estate is less than $100,000.00 AND the estate does not own any real estate, a small estate affidavit may be able to be used if the applicant is able to meet all of the requirements of the small estate affidavit. If the estate is $100,000.00 and greater the executor will have to go to Court and get Letters of Office (Administration) naming an administrator of the estate.

If a participant applied for and was paid a refund of contributions, can that participant use accumulated funds in a deferred compensation account to pay back the refund upon reentry into service?

Current federal law allows the transfer or rollover of 457 deferred compensation plan assets to this Fund in order to pay back a refund taken by a participant within the prescribed time frame.

Can a participant use deferred compensation funds to purchase prior service credits from the Chicago Police Pension Fund?

Generally, the benefits paid to retired participants will exceed the total amount of their contributions within two years of retirement. Upon the death of a participant, the balance of accumulated contributions that were not paid out, in either the form of an annuity for a participant, spouse or children, are refunded to the participant’s estate as named either in a Will, Small Estate Affidavit or Letters of Office. Participants should consult with their personal attorney to discuss this issue.

If a participant is divorced, is the ex-spouse entitled to any benefits?

The Fund does not provide legal advice about proper division of marital and retirement assets. However, this Fund is subject to Qualified Illinois Domestic Relations Orders (QILDRO's) pursuant to the Illinois Pension Code. A QILDRO may require this Fund to pay all or a portion of a participant’s retirement benefits to an “alternate payee”. An alternate payee is usually a participant’s former spouse, but may also be a current spouse, child or other dependent of the participant.
Any participant that has questions about a QILDRO should discuss it with their attorney. This Fund has an information booklet and required forms available upon request.

Does the Fund require any personal documentation identifying spouses and children?

For the protection of a participant’s family, it is very important for participants to submit the following documents. Upon request, this Fund will make copies and return the originals to you.

- A certified copy of their birth certificate
- Name and birthdate of spouse (or civil union partner) and a certified copy of the spouse's (or civil union partner's) birth certificate
- Certified copy of marriage certificate or certificate representing a valid Illinois civil union
- Names and birthdates of all children and a certified copy of the children's birth certificates and formal notices of legal adoption (if applicable)
- Certified copies of divorce decrees or death certificates from any previous marriages of the participant and spouse
- Documentation attesting to the disability of any permanently disabled child


If you need to obtain copies of these certificates, the following agencies can assist you:

To obtain a birth, death, or marriage certificate on file in Cook County:

Contact the Cook County Clerk’s Office
Phone: 312-603-7790
www.cookcountyclerk.com


*Birth and death certificates may also be obtained, for an additional fee, at most local currency exchanges.


To obtain a copy of a divorce decree, contact:

Contact the Cook County Clerk of the Court
Phone: 312-603-6300
www.cookcountyclerkofcourt.org