Two types of benefits
IMRF provides two types of disability benefits:
You always start out receiving temporary disability. If your temporary disability benefits run out and you are still disabled, your claim will be investigated to determine your eligibility for total and permanent disability benefits.
IMRF disability benefits protect you
While you are on IMRF disability:
- You continue to earn service credit toward your future IMRF pension, at no cost to you.
- Your death benefits would still include one year's salary (up to the Tier 2 wage cap), and death benefit options are the same as if you were still working.
- You may receive monthly payments (see below for details).
- Your retirement benefits will be protected by your disability benefit. Your salary before disability will be used to calculate your retirement benefit.
How much are disability payments?
You could receive monthly payments up to 50% of your average monthly salary (based on the 12 months before the month you became disabled).
If you are eligible for other sources of disability income, such as workers’ compensation or Social Security, the amount of your IMRF disability payments will be reduced. Click the links below to learn more about how IMRF disability payments are affected by:
When do my benefits start?
IMRF disability benefits are not paid for the first 30 days of disability.
Temporary disability benefits are effective on the 31st day following the date of disability, as long as you are no longer receiving salary, sick, holiday, or vacation pay from your employer. If you are still getting paid by your employer, your benefits will begin the day after the last day you were paid.
How long will my benefits last?
- Temporary disability benefits are paid for:
- No less than a period of time equal to one-half of your service credit, but not more than 30 months.
- Total and permanent disability benefits
After your temporary disability benefits run out, you will receive total and permanent disability benefits if we find that you are:- Totally and permanently disabled
- Unable to engage in any gainful employment
Why can my IMRF disability benefits be reduced?
If you receive Social Security disability, workers' compensation benefits, or other outside earnings, by law your IMRF disability benefits must be reduced by the amount you receive from these benefits. However, even if the amount you receive from Social Security disability and/or workers' compensation exceeds 50% of your income, IMRF will always pay you a minimum benefit of $10.00 a month to make sure your other IMRF benefits are protected.
To learn more about why you should still apply for IMRF disability benefits if your benefit will be reduced, click here.
Trial work periods
If your employer offers a trial work period, you may be able to return to work part time without losing all of your IMRF disability benefits. To learn more about the trial work period, click here.
If you are denied benefits
IMRF will send you a denial letter if we deny or terminate your disability benefits. If you do not agree with this decision, you can request a hearing before the IMRF Board of Trustees Benefit Review Committee. To learn more about what to do if you are denied benefits, click here.
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IMRF is authorized to determine continuing eligibility If you are granted IMRF disability benefits, IMRF is authorized to conduct periodic checks/investigations to determine continuing eligibility. These periodic checks/investigations may result in a determination of ineligibility. IMRF is not legally authorized to pay a benefit to an ineligible member. If IMRF finds you ineligible, your benefit will stop the month after this determination. You will have an opportunity to appeal to the IMRF Benefit Review Committee under IMRF’s disability appeal procedures. By applying for these benefits and signing the "Members Application for IMRF Disability Benefits" form, you indicate you understand your benefits may be terminated if a written report by an IMRF-appointed physician finds that you are no longer disabled, as defined by the Illinois Pension Code. |
Safety Officers Disability Wage Continuation Law
If you suffer an injury in the line of duty that prevents you from performing your duties, you are entitled to a continuation of salary up to one year. This salary is subject to SLEP member contributions of 7.5% percent.
You will earn SLEP service credit, and IMRF death and disability protection will continue as if you were working. If you are still disabled when salary continuation stops, IMRF disability benefits may be payable.
How will I know my next steps?
Once you have applied for IMRF disability, we will send you correspondence that contains detailed information about each step of your disability claim process.
Did You Know?
A Reduced Benefit Still Protects You
Your IMRF disability benefits will be reduced by any Social Security or Worker’s Compensation benefits that you receive or may be entitled to.
However, IMRF will always pay you a minimum benefit of $10.00 a month to make sure your other IMRF benefits are protected.
To learn why this is such an important benefit, click here.