Total and permanent disability benefits are payable when a member who has used up all temporary disability benefits is unable to engage in any gainful activity whatsoever, and the disability is expected to result in death or be of long and continued duration.
All total and permanent disability claims are subject to a pre-existing condition investigation unless the member has five or more years of IMRF service credit prior to the date of disability and the member did not receive IMRF disability benefits within those five years. The investigation may include obtaining physician and hospital records, independent medical examinations and other pertinent information.
A member can receive total and permanent disability benefits only after temporary disability benefits have been exhausted.
IMRF attempts to make a determination regarding eligibility for total and permanent disability benefits so that the member continues to receive monthly benefit payments without interruption.
Total and permanent disability benefits are payable on the first day of each month for the preceding month.
A member may receive IMRF total and permanent disability benefits until the later of the following:
Until he or she reaches Full Social Security Retirement age, assuming the member remains disabled.
Until the last day of the month which is five years after the member becomes eligible for IMRF temporary disability benefits, assuming the member remains disabled.
If the member receives IMRF disability benefits after becoming eligible for full Social Security retirement benefits, his or her IMRF disability will be reduced by the amount of the member’s Social Security retirement.
Other reasons for terminating the payment of total and permanent disability benefits are as follows:
We receive evidence of earnings that indicates the member is able to be gainfully employed, or
A report by a physician states that the member is no longer totally and permanently disabled, or
The member refuses to submit to a physical examination requested by IMRF, or
The member fails to submit any requested additional information, such as a medical report from his or her physician to prove continuance of disability or a Social Security award letter, etc.
IMRF will notify the member when his or her total and permanent disability benefits stop. At that time, IMRF will advise the member of his or her eligibility for other IMRF benefits.