NewsmakersMay 9, 2022

New Illinois Law Authorizes $1 Billion in Pension Obligation Bonds and Extends Buyout Option

The law is the latest in a series of legislative moves to improve struggling Illinois pensions.

Reported by Anna Gordon

Illinois Governor J. B. Pritzker signed into law House Bill 4292 last Thursday. The bill extends state employees’ ability to exercise pension buyout options to June 2026, as opposed to the previous deadline of 2024. Buyout options allow pension recipients to take a lump sum of money now as opposed to waiting to retirement to receive the pension. The hope is that doing so could decrease the state’s struggling pensions’ unfunded future liabilities.

Illinois’ state budget for fiscal year 2023 also authorized an additional $500 million in payments to the state pension fund and $1 billion in pension obligation bonds.

“I believe in fiscal responsibility and in responsible fiscal management,” said Governor Pritzker. “That means taking every action possible to address our pension obligation while honoring promises made to current and retired workers. Promises made by governors and legislators on both sides of the aisle.”

Illinois’ pension funds are among the worst funded in the country. As of fiscal year 2021, the state’s pension plans were 46.5% funded, significantly lower than the national average of 72.8%, according to the National Association of State Retirement Administrators.