Disability benefits for Regular Members
Disability benefits differ between Regular and Special Service members. (Protection Occupations members and Sheriff/Deputy Sheriff members are collectively known as Special Service members.) Before you proceed, make sure you know your membership group.
Eligibility
To qualify for Regular Disability Benefits, you must:
- Be vested.
- Have ended all IPERS-covered employment.
- Receive federal Social Security Disability or Railroad Retirement Disability Benefits.
- Submit IPERS' Application for Monthly Retirement Benefits
- Have a bona fide retirement.
- Live into the month you receive your first benefit (or your benefit application will be canceled).
In addition, to remain eligible for Regular Disability Benefits, you must provide annual proof to IPERS that you receive Social Security Disability or Railroad Retirement Disability benefits. If you cannot provide proof, and you are younger than age 55*, your IPERS disability benefits will stop.
If you cannot show proof, and you are between age 55 and 65, your benefits may be reduced to the amount you would receive without the applied disability provision.
*If you are a Sheriff/Deputy Sheriff Member with at least 22 years of service and you are receiving Regular Disability Benefits, your benefits may be affected before you reach age 50.
Special Service Disability Benefits
Eligibility
To be eligible for Special Service Disability Benefits, you must:
- Be vested.
- Have a disability that began while you were employed in an IPERS-covered Special Service job, but not necessarily while you were on duty.
- Leave your IPERS-covered Special Service job because of your disability.
- Apply for benefits within one year of leaving your IPERS-covered Special Service job.
- Complete a medical exam by the Medical Board of the University of Iowa, unless waived by IPERS.
Once you have been awarded Special Service Disability Benefits, you may be required to have an annual examination to determine whether you still qualify.
You must also provide a complete copy of your state and federal tax returns to IPERS every year.