The Revised ECO Benefit Plan

ECO stands for "Elected County Official Plan."

In 1997, Public Act 90-0032 was signed into law creating the original alternative benefit plan for Elected County Officials (ECO). On January 26, 2000, Public Act 91-0685 revised the original ECO program.

If your county adopted ECO

• before January 26, 2000, and you are a newly elected or appointed elected county official or are newly enrolling in ECO, you will participate in the revised ECO program described below.

• on or after January 26, 2000, you will participate in the revised ECO program described below.

Features of the Revised IMRF Elected County Official Plan

If you participate in the Revised ECO plan, an outline of your plan benefits is available to download and print.

• The ECO plan is an employer option. The county must first adopt the plan in order for you to participate.
  
  
• A county which previously adopted the ECO program may now rescind it.
  
  
• Once you enroll in the ECO plan, you remain in the ECO plan only for that term of office. If you are elected to a subsequent term of office, you must complete a new enrollment form (6.21B) at the beginning of each new term of office.
  
  
• Your Final Rate of Earnings (FRE) is the average of the highest consecutive 48 months of ECO service in the last 10 years held in a specific office with the same county.
  
  
• A separate ECO FRE is calculated for each elected county position held in the same county.

• A revised ECO plan member earns Regular or SLEP service credit while receiving ECO disability benefits.
  
  
• You must hold the same elected county position in the same county for a minimum of eight years to qualify for the ECO retirement formula.

For detailed information, see the publication, "Revised IMRF Elected County Official Plan Under Public Act 91-0685"

You may also contact IMRF at 1-800-ASK-IMRF (1-800-275-4673) or talk to your county employer's IMRF Authorized Agent.