(1) Am I eligible for a PSERS disability benefit? You are eligible for a disability benefit if, at the time of your separation from employment, you are totally incapacitated to perform the duties of your job or any other PSERS position for which you are qualified by training or experience. Objective medical evidence is required to establish total incapacitation. Vocational and/or occupational evidence may be required at the discretion of the department.

(2) If eligible, what will I receive as a monthly disability allowance?

(a) If you have at least 10 years of service credit in PSERS, you will receive a monthly allowance equal to two percent of your AFC times your service credit years, permanently actuarially reduced to reflect the difference in the number of years between your age when you separate for disability and age 60. Your monthly allowance may be further reduced to offset the cost of the benefit option you choose. See WAC 415-106-600.

(b) If you have less than 10 years of service credit, you will receive a monthly allowance1 equal to two percent of your AFC times your service credit years, permanently actuarially reduced to reflect the difference in the number of years between your age when you separate for disability and age 65. Your monthly allowance may be further reduced to offset the cost of the benefit option you choose. See WAC 415-106-600.

See WAC 415-02-320 for early retirement factors and examples.

(3) Once my application is approved, when will my monthly allowance begin?

(a) Your disability allowance will accrue from the first day of the calendar month immediately following your separation from employment. If you are continuing to earn service credit while on paid leave or through programs such as shared leave, you are not considered to be separated from employment.

(b) Your first payment will include all retroactive benefits to which you are entitled.

(c) Department approval will expire 90 days after the approval date if you have not officially separated from PSERS employment.

(i) If you are continuing to perform the duties of your position or another PSERS position, you may reapply for disability benefits according to WAC 415-106-490 if your condition worsens.

(ii) If you are on leave, the department may reinstate approval upon your request and your employer's verification of your leave status.