The Cook County Pension Fund (CCPF) commends and is proud to support employees who protect our country as members of the armed services. This summary describes the coordination of pension service credit and other benefits provided by the Illinois Pension Code and Federal Law for periods of military service.

In general, eligible employees may establish service credit for periods of military service by making the applicable employee pension contributions to CCPF.  Military service may be performed before or after the employee enters County employment. 

“Military service” refers to active duty service in any active or reserve component of the U.S. armed services, including the Illinois National Guard, and must be certified on a DD 214 form.

Click here to read the Military Service Policy.

Pension Code Provisions for Military Service

Military service while employed — USERRA and the Illinois Pension Code allow an employee to establish service credit for military service that occurs during County employment, provided the employee returns to employment within 90 days of discharge from active duty. The 90-day return-to-work period is treated the same as active military service.

• To establish service credit, the employee must pay all applicable pension contributions as if this employee remained employed during the military leave.
• Interest will be charged for this military service period if payment is not made within 5 years from date of discharge, or for any period of military service greater than 5 years.

Military service prior to County employment — Cook County employees may purchase up to 2 additional years of military credit.  Additional service cannot be credited during months for which an employee has already received pension credit (an employee cannot receive duplicate credit for the same month).

Note that prior to August 11, 2023, purchase of prior Military Service required 25 years of Cook County service and required that an employee have been a participant as of January 1, 1993.  Public Act 103-0529 removed those restrictions for employees.

Receiving Military Service Credit

For military service while employed

1. Upon returning from the armed services you should provide CCPF with a copy of your Honorable Discharge DD 214.  To determine active duty service for National Guard time, CCPF may require a NGB 23 Statement showing the specific inclusive dates of active duty.
2. CCPF will calculate the cost that is associated with the military period.
3. Once payment is received in full, service credit will be added to your account.

For military service prior to County employment

1. If you were employed provide a copy of your Honorable Discharge DD 214 and/or NGB 23.
2. CCPF will calculate the cost that is associated with the military period.
3. Once payment is received in full, service credit will be added to your account.