The benefits described in this section apply to members of PERS Plan 2 and PERS Plan 3. You are a member of PERS Plan 2 if you were first hired into an "eligible" position by a "covered" employer on or after October 1, 1977, and you have not transferred, chosen or been defaulted to PERS Plan 3.
Note: For definitions of "eligible" position and "covered" employer, please refer to the PERS Plan 2 Member Handbook or the PERS Plan 3 Member Handbook.
You may be eligible for disability retirement benefits if you:
No minimum amount of service credit is required for you to be eligible for a PERS Plan 2 or PERS Plan 3 disability retirement benefit.
If you qualify, you will receive a disability benefit that is based upon your calculated monthly benefit. The calculated monthly benefit is based on your average final compensation and years of service credit at the time you separate from service.
2 % x service credit years x average final compensation
1 % x service credit years x average final compensation
Average final compensation for both Plan 2 and Plan 3 is the average of your 60 consecutive highest-paid service credit months.
Your benefit will be actuarially reduced to reflect the difference between your age at retirement and age 65, and to reflect the choice of a survivor option, described under "Survivor Options."
If you retire at age 55 and have at least 30 years of service credit, your benefit reduction is set at three percent for each year that you are under age 65. In this case, your benefit would be reduced by 30 percent.
If you are receiving a monthly disability retirement benefit, you may be subject to comprehensive medical examinations as required by PERS.
Note: For PERS Plan 3 members, the defined contribution portion of PERS Plan 3 is not a factor in determining your disability benefit.
If your Plan 2 or Plan 3 monthly benefit will be less than the minimum payment (the minimum monthly payment amount is indexed and changes each year. For the current minimum monthly payment amount, please contact DRS) you may choose between the monthly payment or payment in a lump sum.
DRS will provide this option at the time you receive an estimate or retire. If you choose a monthly benefit you will no longer be eligible for withdrawal of your contributions. DRS will advise you at the time of your estimate if you are eligible for a lump sum benefit.
If you receive a lump sum disability payment, you will be considered retired and ineligible for any further benefits from PERS. If your medical coverage is provided by the state Health Care Authority (HCA), you should contact the HCA for information concerning continuation of coverage, and a life insurance waiver.
You may apply for disability retirement and receive a determination of eligibility prior to separating from employment. For more information about applying for disability retirement see "How to Apply for Disability Benefits."
If a medical examination shows that you have recovered from your disability, and you are offered employment by a PERS-covered employer at comparable pay, you will no longer be eligible to receive a disability retirement benefit.