The Value of SERS Benefits: Disability Benefits

While disability coverage is a benefit no one hopes they will ever need to use, it can provide peace of mind if the road to retirement takes an unexpected turn.

SERS’ eligibility requirements for disability are similar to Social Security. At SERS, you need five years of service credit in a SERS-covered position, while Social Security requires five years of work out of the last 10 years.

If approved, you can rest easy knowing you will receive monthly payments as long as you continue to meet certain requirements. SERS’ disability benefits are based on the greater of 45% of your Final Average Salary (FAS) at the time of your disability application, or your total service credit at the time of your application multiplied by 2.2% of your FAS.

For members who eventually return to regular employment in a position that contributes to SERS, State Teachers Retirement System (STRS), or Ohio Public Employees Retirement System (OPERS) after time on disability, you will receive up to two years of free service credit based on the amount of time you received disability benefits. You also can buy any additional service time over two years.

For more information, check out our Member Disability Guide.

We hope that your road to retirement is smooth, but you can rest assured knowing that we are here to help you work through any bumps along the way. This is just one of the many values you benefit from as a SERS member.

 

Throughout the next couple months, join us here – on our website – and on our Facebook page as we discuss more benefits of contributing to SERS and how we are working for you.