Sec. 8. DISABILITY RETIREMENT. (a) Only active-contributory members, inactive-contributory members, and members on approved medical leave of absence are eligible for consideration for disability retirement. A member may apply for disability retirement at any date prior to the member's normal retirement date, and the member remains in the member's membership category for the 90-day period following the date of termination for inability to perform all employment duties. Inactive-noncontributory members are not eligible for consideration for disability retirement and may not receive any benefits under this section.
(b) If a member who is eligible for consideration for disability retirement has become mentally or physically incapacitated for the performance of all employment duties as a direct result of injuries sustained in the performance of the member's employment duties subsequent to the member's effective date of membership in the retirement system, the member may apply for disability retirement. Such application, made by or on behalf of the injured member, shall show that the injury sustained:
(1) was by external and violent means;
(2) came as a direct and proximate result of the performance of the member's employment duties with the employer; and
(3) is likely to be permanent.
(c) On recommendation of the physician or physicians appointed or selected by the retirement board that the eligible member's incapacity is likely to be permanent and after determining on that basis, or on the basis of any additional evidence which the retirement board deems relevant, that the member meets the requirements of Subsection (b) of this section, the retirement board shall award such member a disability retirement allowance. The decision of the retirement board is final subject to the reexamination, discontinuance and revocation rules at Subsections (h) and (i) of this section.
(d) If a member who is eligible for consideration for disability retirement, and who has more than five years of creditable service, has become mentally or physically incapacitated for the performance of all employment duties, such member may apply for disability retirement. The application made on behalf of the disabled member shall show that the incapacity is likely to be permanent. On recommendation of the physician or physicians appointed or selected by the retirement board that the eligible member's incapacity is likely to be permanent and after determining on that basis, or on the basis of any additional evidence which the retirement board deems relevant, that the member meets the requirements of this subsection, the retirement board shall award such member a disability retirement allowance. The decision of the retirement board is final subject to the reexamination, discontinuance and revocation rules at Subsections (h) and (i) of this section.
(e) On award of a disability retirement allowance, the member shall receive a disability retirement allowance, beginning on the last day of the month after the month in which the member became disabled, which shall be computed in the same manner that a retirement allowance would be computed at the member's normal retirement date, based on compensation and creditable service at the date of disability retirement. The disabled member may choose to receive a life annuity (modified cash refund) or a benefit as described by Section 7(l) of this Act as Option I, Option II, Option III, or Option IV.
(f) A member receiving a disability retirement allowance shall periodically file a report with the retirement board concerning continued proof of disability. The retirement board shall adopt rules establishing the required supporting information to accompany the reports, the content of the reports, and deadlines for filing the reports. The report shall include:
(1) a current statement of the member's physical or mental condition stating the existence of continued disability, signed by the member's attending physician; and
(2) a statement of all employment activities pursued in the preceding year.
(g) A disabled member shall file periodic reports required by Subsection (f) of this section no later than the deadlines established by the retirement board. The retirement board may require that all periodic reports, including the member's most recent tax return, be filed in the same calendar month. The retirement board may verify all information submitted in the report.
(h) The pension director will be responsible for a yearly report to the retirement board listing those disabled members who should be examined. The retirement board shall have the right to order examinations of any person on disability retirement each year until the member reaches the normal retirement date. If the member fails or refuses to submit to an examination by a physician or physicians appointed by the retirement board or if the member fails or refuses to submit a periodic report in accordance with Subsection (g) of this section concerning continued proof of disability, the disability retirement allowance shall be discontinued until the member has submitted to an examination requested by the retirement board and has submitted any delinquent report. Should such failure or refusal continue for a period of one year, the disability retirement allowance may be revoked by the retirement board. If a member's disability retirement allowance has been revoked for failure to file a periodic report or to submit to any requested examination, the retirement board may reinstate the member's disability retirement allowance on a prospective basis only on the member's full performance of and compliance with all requirements of this section and the retirement board's determination that the member's disability is continuing.
(i)(1) If an investigation of the disabled member's activities or a medical examination shows that the member is no longer physically or mentally incapacitated for the purposes of the performance of employment duties or if the member is found to be engaged in or is able to engage in substantial gainful occupation, as defined by Social Security disability income guidelines, for which the member is reasonably suited by education, training, or experience, the retirement board shall discontinue the disability retirement allowance.
(2) If the disability retirement allowance of a member who had less than five years of creditable service is discontinued under this subsection or Subsection (h) of this section and not reinstated, and the member is not reemployed by the employer, the member is entitled to any amount by which the sum of the member's accumulated deposits as of the date of disability retirement exceeds the sum of all disability retirement benefits paid to the member by the system.
(3) If the disability retirement allowance of a member is discontinued under this subsection or Subsection (h) of this section and not reinstated, and the member is not reemployed by the employer, the member may withdraw any amount by which the sum of the member's accumulated deposits as of the date of the disability retirement exceeds the sum of all disability retirement benefits paid to the member by the system. If a member has five or more years of creditable service and does not withdraw the excess, the member is entitled to a life annuity (modified cash refund) beginning on the first day of the month after the month in which the member's normal retirement date occurs.
(j) If a disabled member returns to active employment service with the employer, the disability retirement allowance shall cease. If the person is reemployed as a regular full-time employee, the person shall be reinstated as an active-contributory member of the system and shall comply with all requirements of this Act. If reinstated as an active-contributory member, membership service credits accumulated prior to disability shall be restored to the full amount standing to the member's credit as of the date the retirement board found the member eligible for disability retirement, and any prior service credit shall be restored in full. The member is not required to reimburse the fund for any disability retirement allowance amounts received by the member.
