If you become permanently incapacitated from performing your
usual and customary job duties while a member of OCERS, you
may be eligible for a Disability Retirement allowance. If
you feel you may be eligible, please contact OCERS’ Disability
Section at (714) 558-6200 for the necessary forms and for more
information.
If you meet the age and service requirement, you may
retire with a Service Retirement at any time during the
process of your disability application.
There are two types of disability benefits payable from the
system:
Nonservice-Connected Disability Retirement
If your permanent incapacity is not a result of an injury,
illness or disease arising out of your employment, you may be
eligible for a Nonservice-Connected Disability retirement.
Eligibility
You are eligible for a Nonservice-Connected Disability allowance
if:
- You have five or more years of Service Credit
AND
- The Board of Retirement determines that you
are permanently physically or mentally
incapacitated from performing the usual and customary duties of
any permanent assignment in your job classification.
AND
- Your disability is not due to a job-related illness or
injury.
Service-Connected Disability Retirement
If you are permanently incapacitated from performing your usual
duties and your incapacity is the result of a job-related injury
or illness, you may be eligible for a Service-Connected
disability retirement benefit, regardless of your age or length
of service.
Eligibility
You are eligible for a Service-Connected Disability Retirement
allowance if:
- The Board of Retirement deems you
are permanently physically or mentally
incapacitated from performing the usual duties of any permanent
assignment in your job classification.
AND
- Your incapacity arose out of, and in the course of your
employment, and such employment contributed substantially to your
being incapacitated.
There is no minimum age or length of service requirement for a
Service-Connected Disability Retirement.
Note: You are not eligible for a disability retirement if
you have withdrawn your retirement contributions.
