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Disability Benefits Under the ECO Plan
If you are eligible for disability benefits, you might have the choice to receive benefits under the Regular/SLEP plan or under the ECO plan. To read about the differences in Disability benefits under the ECO plan, click here. |
After you have exhausted your temporary disability benefits, you will receive total and permanent disability benefits if you are:
- Totally and permanently disabled
- Unable to engage in any gainful activity
You do not have to apply separately for total and permanent disability benefits
If you have exhausted your temporary disability benefits, you do not have to apply separately for total and permanent disability benefits. Before your temporary disability benefits end, IMRF:
- Reviews your claim to determine if you are totally and permanently disabled.
- May require additional medical information.
- May require you to undergo a physical or psychiatric exam.
Click here to learn more about the examination process.
If you have less than five years of service credit on the date of disability, IMRF will conduct a pre-existing condition investigation. Learn more about pre-existing condition investigations here.
If IMRF determines you are not eligible for total and permanent disability benefits, we will notify you in writing. For more information about your options if you are denied benefits, click here.
When do total and permanent benefits begin?
If you are awarded total and permanent disability benefits, you will continue to receive monthly benefit payments without interruption if IMRF determines you are eligible before your temporary disability benefit payments have stopped.
Total and permanent disability benefits are paid on the first day of each month for the preceding month (for example, a March benefit payment is paid April 1).
Annual increases
Total and permanent disability benefits are increased annually by 3% of your original payment amount after you have been on disability for at least 30 months. This increase is payable on January 1 following the date you have been disabled for 30 months.
Your annual increase amount does not change. The amount is always 3% of your original payment amount before any offset for Social Security or workers’ compensation benefits.
How long do total and permanent disability benefits last?
If you remain totally and permanently disabled, you may receive these benefits until the later of:
- The date you reach your Social Security Full Retirement Age (click here to learn more about how Social Security retirement benefits affect IMRF disability benefits)
- The last day of the month which is five years after you became eligible for IMRF temporary disability benefits
IMRF will notify you when your total and permanent disability benefits end. At that time, we will advise you of your eligibility for other IMRF benefits.
What could make me ineligible for total and permanent disability benefits?
You will no longer be eligible for total and permanent disability benefits if:
- A report by a physician states that you are no longer totally and permanently disabled.
- You refuse to submit to a physical/psychiatric examination requested by IMRF.
- You fail to provide IMRF with your authorization to allow IMRF to receive copies of or examine your medical and hospital records.
- You fail to submit any requested additional information, such as a medical report from your physician to prove continuance of disability or a Social Security award letter, etc., within a reasonable period.
- You return to work for an IMRF employer other than the employer you worked for when you became disabled.
- You fail to provide complete information regarding any other employment compensation you have received since becoming disabled.
IMRF will stop payment if we determine you are no longer eligible for total and permanent disability benefits.