Total and Permanent Disability

for Tier 1 Regular Plan Members
Beach

After you have exhausted your temporary disability benefits, you will receive total and permanent disability benefits if you are:

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:

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:

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:

IMRF will stop payment if we determine you are no longer eligible for total and permanent disability benefits.