1. a) Example: An individual is entitled to $1,000 in salary. It is agreed between the employer and the individual that $50 of the individual's salary is to be placed in the employer's 401(k) plan fund, and the individual is paid cash of $950. The 401(k) plan does not provide for employer contributions. The individual's "wages" under Section 234 of the Act are $1,000.
2. b) Example: An individual is entitled to $1,000 in salary. It is agreed between the employer and the individual that $50 is to be placed in the employer's 401(k) plan fund, and the individual is paid cash of $950. In addition to the aforementioned arrangement, the employer makes a contribution of $50 to the fund on behalf of the individual. With respect to a payment made before July 1, 2026, the individual's "wages" under Section 234 of the Act are $1,050. However, with respect to a payment made after June 30, 2026, the individual's "wages" under Section 234 of the Act are $1,000, since the employer's contribution to the fund on behalf of the individual does not constitute "wages" with respect to a payment made after June 30, 2026.

Payments not taxable for income tax purposes under Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 are included in "wages", as defined in Section 234 of the Act. Amounts deducted from an individual's taxable income pursuant to salary reduction arrangements, as well as employer contributions made before July 1, 2026, are also "wages". However, beginning with payments made after June 30, 2026, employer contributions to a 401(k) plan are not "wages".

(Source: Amended at 50 Ill. Reg. 2143, effective February 2, 2026)