Retirement > SERS > Disability Retirement
26. What do I need to know most about the 60% Minimum Rule and the 80% Maximum Rule?
- The 60% Minimum Rule is a guarantee. If you are awarded a disability retirement, your combined income from SERS and from the other relevant sources will not be less than your 60% Minimum, even if your SERS benefit is smaller.
- The 80% Maximum Rule is not a guarantee. SERS rules do not guarantee that you will receive an income equal to your 80% Maximum.
- The 80% Maximum Rule may have the effect of reducing your SERS benefit when your combined income from SERS and the other relevant sources is greater than your 80% Maximum. But it will not reduce your combined income below that amount.
- Both (i) your eligibility for workers’ compensation benefits, Social Security benefits, and benefits under Section 5-142 and (ii) the amount of such benefits may change over time. Whenever that happens, your SERS benefit will be adjusted to reflect the change. Therefore, it is important that you notify the Retirement Services Division immediately when any such change occurs.
- If you receive a retroactive payment of workers’ compensation, Social Security, or Section 5-142 benefits, your SERS benefit may have to be adjusted retroactively, and you might be required to refund a portion of those benefits to SERS. This is another reason you should notify the Retirement Services Division immediately about any such payment.