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Deferred Compensation Plan FAQ
Below are answers to the most frequently asked questions about the State of Illinois Deferred Compensation Plan (“Plan”).
- Can I use funds in my account to purchase pension credits?
- Do I pay "loads" or sales commissions?
- Is there a cost or commission to buy and sell (exchange) funds?
- Are participants charged a fee by the plan?
- What happens to the share price (NAV) of a mutual fund when a capital gain or dividend distribution is made?
- How often are dividend and capital gain distributions made?
- Is the money invested in mutual funds insured?
- Is the Stable Return Fund a mutual fund and why doesn't it appear in the daily newspaper?
- Can I call the Deferred Compensation Office or the funds to get investment advice?
Yes, by submitting a signed Permissive Service Credit Authorization form (located under “Forms and Newsletters” on our website) you can authorize the Plan to send money from your account to the pension system designated. In order for this to be accomplished by the end of a month this form must be accepted by the Department in good order on or before the 15th. The funds will then be withdrawn from the participant’s account on or around the 20th and remitted to the designated pension system. There are no tax consequences from this transfer.
The funds offered are all "no-load" funds or the load has been waived. This means there are no sales charges or redemption fees. Each fund charges an investment management fee which is explained in the prospectus. It is deducted from the fund's net assets before the return is calculated.
As of October, 2009 all general exchange fees have been eliminated and there are no costs to exchange one fund for another. Certain funds do, however, have restrictions to prevent excessive trading and can impose transaction fees.
By law the Plan must be self-sufficient and all expenses of maintaining and administering the Plan must be borne by the participants. Towards this end an annual fee of no more than 1% of the account balance, capped at $67 per year ($16.75 per quarter), is charged to each participant. Other fees may be applicable. These fees are used solely to cover the expenses of the Deferred Compensation Plan.
Capital gains can be distributed semi-annually or annually, usually at the end of the calendar year. Dividend distributions vary, depending on the fund. All money market and most income funds distribute dividends monthly and the price is unaffected. Some income funds have an annual distribution while some have quarterly or monthly distributions. Growth/income funds distribute dividends quarterly, while growth funds can distribute semi-annually or annually, usually when capital gains are distributed.
No. The mutual funds are not insured against market fluctuations. They are insured against fraud and embezzlement.
The Stable Return Fund is not a mutual fund. It is a proprietary fund managed by Invesco for the Deferred Compensation Plan. Its share price (NAV) of $1 does not fluctuate from day-to-day.
No. We cannot recommend one fund over another. We try to provide you with all the materials to make an informed decision. The ultimate decision lies with you as the investor. You may call the investment funds for fund performance and/or additional literature.