What if I become disabled?

If a disability totally incapacitates you and prevents you from working, you may be eligible for disability retirement benefits regardless of how the disability was incurred. You can learn more in the publication PERS Disability Benefits.

DRS recommends you contact a retirement service analyst if you become disabled and the disability appears to be terminal.

Duty disability benefits

Application Deadline: You must apply for a duty disability benefit within two years of the date the injury occurred; or, in the case of occupational disease, the claim must be filed within two years of when you separate from service with your employer.

Eligibility: You may be eligible for duty disability retirement benefits if you become permanently unable to perform the duties of your job, or any other position for which you are qualified by experience or training, and the disability results from:

A job-related accident suffered while performing your job duties, or
An occupational disease for which you are eligible to receive benefits under Workers’ Compensation (Title 51 RCW).

Service credit for temporary disability

Note: Changes were made to this provision (HB 1261) during the 2007 legislative session.

You have the option to apply for up to 24 months of service credit while on leave for a disability. To qualify:

Your disability must have occurred in the line of duty; and
You must have received your injury on or after March 27, 1984, and be eligible to receive Workers’ Compensation benefits; and
You must make retirement contributions on the compensation you would have earned had you been working. DRS charges interest if the payments are made retroactively.

For more information on how to apply for disability service credit, contact DRS.

Non-duty disability benefits

You may be eligible for non-duty disability retirement benefits if:
You have had at least five years of covered employment; and
You leave covered employment as a result of the disability; and
The disability totally and permanently prevents you from performing the duties of your position or any other position for which you are qualified by experience or training.

Resumption of employment

If you resume gainful employment, you will need to provide DRS with the name of your employer and your monthly salary. Your disability benefits may stop unless your total compensation (from employment and disability benefits) is less than your compensation at the time you became disabled. If this total is more, your benefits will be reduced so the total does not exceed the level of your pre-disability compensation, adjusted for inflation.

If you are a former member of SCERS, there may be other disability options available. For more information contact DRS.