If you become totally incapacitated for continued employment with a covered employer, and leave that employment as a result of the disability, you may be eligible for a disability retirement benefit. You can learn more in the publication PERS Disability Benefits.
DRS recommends you contact a retirement benefits specialist if you become disabled and the disability appears to be terminal.
The disability retirement benefit, including survivor options, is determined by the same formula as a service retirement benefit, described earlier in this handbook. The disability retirement benefit is reduced to reflect your age at the time benefits begin. If your monthly benefit will be less than $50, you may choose to take payment in a lump sum. Refer to the section “Lump sum payment instead of a monthly benefit”.
Note: Changes were made to this provision (HB 1261) during the 2007 legislative session.
In some cases you can obtain service credit for work time missed while on temporary disability leave. For information on this subject, refer to the publication PERS Disability Benefits, or contact DRS.