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How do you apply for an accidental disability pension?

  • You can apply for a disability pension by contacting the ERSRI Call Center at (401) 462-7600.
  • You will be required to complete an application and provide documentation from your employer, medical records from your treating physician and an insurance claims history in support of your application.
  • Once all of your records have been returned to ERSRI, you will undergo three (3) independent medical examinations (IMEs). ERSRI will provide you with the names and contact information of the doctors who will conduct your examinations. ERSRI will pay for the cost of these visits.
  • Once you have visited all three IME doctors, your application will be considered by the Disability Committee of the Retirement Board.
  • The Disability Committee will make a recommendation to the full Retirement Board which will notify you of its decision.

How much is an accidental disability pension benefit?

For State Employees and Teachers:

  • 50% Disability Benefit: State employees and teachers who are permanently and totally disabled from their current job, but are able to perform other work may be granted a benefit of 50% of their salary at retirement.
  • 66 and 2/3rd% Disability Benefit: State employees and teachers who are permanently and totally disabled from all work may be granted a benefit of 66 and 2/3rd% of their salary at retirement.

For MERS, Police and Fire:

  • 66 and 2/3rd % Disability Benefit: MERS, Police and Fire members who are permanently and totally disabled may be granted a benefit of 66 and 2/3rd% of their salary at retirement.

Who is eligible for an accidental disability pension?

  • Active members under the age of 65 who sustained a disabling injury from a job related accident are eligible to apply for accidental disability pensions.
  • Active police officers and firefighters may apply for an accidental disability at any age.
  • Members must apply for a disability pension prior to terminating employment. Members who have terminated employment are not eligible for a disability pension.
  • Applications from Police and Fire members for accidental disability must be received within 18 months of the disabling accident or reinjury. For municipal members, applications must be received within 5 years of the disabling accident. For state and teacher members, applications must be received within 5 years of the disabling accident; or within 3 years of a reinjury or aggravation.

Retiree Employer Groups

State Employees, Teachers, Judges and State Police Retirees

State employees, teachers, judges, and state police retirees who were receiving a COLA prior to the June 30, 2012, will receive a “4-Year” COLA in 2021. The COLA will be paid the month following the member’s retirement date.

State police retirees who retired before June 30, 2012 who were not receiving a COLA prior to June 30, 2012, will receive the “4-Year” COLA the month following the third anniversary of the member’s retirement date.

State employees, teachers and judges retirees who retired between October 1, 2009 and June 30, 2012 who were not receiving a COLA, will receive the “4-Year” COLA the month following the third anniversary of the member’s retirement date or age 65, whichever is later.

State police retirees who retired after June 30, 2012 and before or on June 30, 2015, will receive the “4-Year” COLA the month following the three year anniversary of the member’s retirement date or age 55, whichever is later. The “4-Year” COLA is applied to the first $33,130 of a pension.

State police retirees who retired after June 30, 2015 will receive the “4-Year” COLA the month following the three year anniversary of the member’s retirement date or after reaching Social Security Normal Retirement Age (SSNRA), whichever is later. The “4-Year” COLA is applied to the first $27,608.

State employees, teachers and judges retirees who retired after June 30, 2012 become eligible to receive a “4-Year” COLA after reaching Social Security Normal Retirement Age (SSNRA) or the three-year anniversary of the member’s retirement date, whichever is later. The “4-Year” COLA is applied to the first $33,130 of a pension if you retired on or before June 30, 2015 and if you retired after June 30, 2015 it is applied to the first $27,608. In both cases it will begin in the month following the 3-year anniversary date of the member’s retirement or SSNRA, whichever is later.

Reporting Requirements

It is strongly advised that you contact ERSRI in writing to receive clarification regarding post-retirement employment before you begin working. To have a position reviewed for compliance with the restrictions below, a retiree must submit a description of the position (provided by the employer) to ERSRI and request a written determination prior to accepting the position.

If you, as a retiree, return to work in public service in any of the capacities outlined here, both you and your employer must notify ERSRI monthly of your employment. You should confirm your number of days worked or dollars earned each month with your employer. Your employer will then report your employment information to the retirement system via the employer portal.

A violation of these rules may result in a suspension of your pension benefit for the duration of the violation.

Other Restrictions

There are some other requirements for post-retirement employment. Retirees cannot mix and match employment types in a calendar year. For example, retirees cannot substitute 90 days in a public school under the 90-day limit rule and teach a course at CCRI under the $25,000 limit – only one of the several employment possibilities listed above is allowed per calendar year.

Additionally, retirees cannot do work as a consultant, a corporation, or as an employee hired by another party in a role in which you cannot work as an individual. For example, if you are retired and working as a consultant for a public school district, you are still limited to working 90 full days per year and reporting this information to ERSRI (see “Reporting Requirements” below), just as if you were employed directly by the school district. In addition, a good faith letter must be submitted by your employer. Any consultant positions or work for a private company that places you in state employment is also prohibited if you are retired, unless you suspend your retirement benefit

To work after retirement, there must be a clear separation from service and the return to service cannot be pre-arranged. Any employment or re-employment may begin no earlier than 45 calendar days after retirement. No additional pension credits can be earned and no additional contributions are made to your defined benefit plan or defined contribution plan – by you or by your employer.

GASB 68 Information by Plan:

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