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The Disability Retirement Application Process

If you are injured or become ill and can no longer perform the duties of your position, you can apply for disability retirement benefits.

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Applying for disability retirement

Your retirement board has 180 days from the date of receiving your fully completed application to make a final determination

Key Actions

Contact your retirement board first 

Additional Resources

Disability Retirement Application (English, PDF 433.55 KB)
Massachusetts Public Employee Guide to Disability Retirement - Regardless of the Date of Membership (English, PDF 447.99 KB)

Types of disability retirements

Accidental Disability

  • You sustained an injury or hazard while in the performance of your duties. 
  • The annual pension benefit is 72% of the annual rate of compensation on the date of the injury or hazard, or if in a temporary position at the time of the injury, your last 12-month salary average in your permanent position, whichever is greater. 
  • There is no minimum service requirement for an accidental disability 

Ordinary Disability

  • You sustained an injury or have an illness that is not job-related (in the performance of your duties). 
  • In most retirement systems, you must have at least 10 years of creditable service. Some systems require 15 years of creditable service.
  • Non-veteran benefit calculation is based on a superannuation calculation of your age and years of creditable service. 
    • If you became a member-in-service prior to April 2, 2012, and you are under age 55, your age will be calculated as if you were 55.
    • If you became a member-in-service on or after April 2, 2012, and you are under age 60, your age will be calculated as if you were 60.
  • Veterans must have 10 years of creditable service
    • Veterans receive a calculation of 50% of the annual rate of regular compensation for the last year before retirement plus an annuity based on age and accumulated deductions, plus related interest. 

Involuntary Disability 

  • An employer may file an involuntary disability or superannuation application on behalf of their employee
  • Benefit depends on the type of benefit approved

 

Independent medical panel

Panel selection: 

  • All disability applicants must be examined by a three-member independent medical panel appointed by PERAC. 
  • The applicant can choose to be examined by the physicians all at once or at separate appointments. 
  • The PERAC disability unit schedules the medical exams.

The panel must determine:

  • if the injury or illness is permanent,
  • If you are unable to perform the duties of your position as a result of the injury or illness, and
  • For accidental disability - If the injury or illness was a direct cause of the injury or hazard sustained during the performance of your duties
  • They must submit their findings in a written report

Medical panel timeline

Medical panel report

  • Medical panel should meet within 60 days of being appointed by PERAC
  • Applicant will be given 14 days notice of the scheduled examination
  • Panel will report their findings to PERAC within 60 days of completing examination
  • PERAC will forward properly completed medical report to retirement board within 5 days
  • Retirement board will notify applicant of the report findings within 30 days
  • A board can request further information or clarification from the medical panel.

Report denies disability retirement

If the report denies retirement for the disability claimed the retirement board can:

  • Deny your disability application based on the report or,
  • Request a new medical panel
  • If PERAC does not schedule a new examination your application will be denied

Report permits disability retirement

If the report permits retirement based on the disability claimed your retirement board will:

  • Determine whether to approve your application.
  • A positive medical panel does not mean your application will be automatically approved.

Final application decisions

Hearings

  • A retirement board may hold a hearing on the application
  • A hearing must be held upon your request
  • If a hearing is scheduled, the retirement board must give you at least 30 days notice

Approval

  • If your board approves your disability application, it must be sent to PERAC for final action
  • PERAC must act on your application within 30 days of receiving it from the board
  • PERAC will either approve the application or send it back to the board for further action

Denial

  • If your board denies your application, they must advise you of your right to appeal the decision

Requirements after you are approved

Earned income limits

  • As a disability retiree, you will have annual earned income limits regardless of the income source
  • You must file an Annual Statement of Earned Income with PERAC
    • You can only stop sending the statement when instructed by the PERAC Disability Unit
  • Failure to file your Annual Statement of Earned Income could result in the termination of your benefits.
  • Use our Earned Income Worksheet to calculate your allowable earnings

Continued examinations

After retirement, you may need to undergo continual medical examinations, as determined by the PERAC Disability Unit. You must comply with these exams or risk losing your benefits:

Restoration-to-Service (RTS)

Failure to comply with any of these requirements could result in the termination of your benefits

Key Actions

Calculate my earned income limits 

Disability forms & publications

Image credits:  natacha dunker

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