Payment Options for Disabled Members

You will receive a Request for Disability Estimate form in your disability application packet. If you would like an estimate of your benefits, you must complete this form and send it in with your disability application. PERS will then send you an estimate of what your disability benefits would be if you are approved.

PERS uses the same calculation methods to calculate disability and service retirement benefits:

If you are a General Service member, the years and months of service you would have accrued had you been able to work to age 58 will be used to calculate a monthly disability benefit.
If you are a police officer or firefighter member, the years and months of service you would have accrued had you been able to work to age 55 will be used to calculate a monthly disability benefit.

Lump-sum payment options are not available under a disability retirement. All other payment options are available.

You have 60 days from the date of your first benefit payment to change your option. The option you choose will apply to the time you are receiving disability retirement benefits and will continue for life unless you are no longer disabled and your disability payments are discontinued. If your disability retirement is discontinued, you will select a new option when you apply for a service retirement.