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Disability Retirement

Accidental Disability (job-related)

Eligibility

 A member may qualify for Accidental Disability Retirement under the following conditions:

  • Active member becomes disabled due to a work-related condition
  • Member’s disability is likely to be permanent
  • No minimum service is required
  • Member’s application for disability retirement is filed within one year of the date the member's contributions to NHRS cease
  • Member’s Disability Retirement application is approved by the NHRS Board of Trustees
  • Generally, there must be a finding of compensability under Workers’ Compensation by the Department of Labor

Pension Calculation

The following calculations are based on the maximum retirement allowance payable and do not include any applicable reduction under an Optional Allowance.

Group I (Employee and Teacher) Members

Group I members will receive an annual pension amount equal to at least 50% of their Average Final Compensation.

Group II (Police and Fire) Members

All Group II members will receive an annual pension amount equal to 66 2/3% of their Average Final Compensation.

Group II Supplemental Disability Retirement Allowance

A Supplemental Disability Retirement Allowance is provided to long-service Group II members who retire on Accidental Disability Retirement.

Tier A: Group II (Police and Fire) Members Vested Prior to January 1, 2012

Group II members with more than 26 2/3 years of Creditable Service will receive an additional amount equal to 2 ½% of Average Final Compensation multiplied by the member’s Creditable Service in excess of 26 2/3 years but not in excess of 40 years.

Tier B: Group II (Police and Fire) Members Not Vested Prior to January 1, 2012

Eligibility for the Supplemental Disability Retirement Allowance will vary based on the months and years of service needed for the member's Service Retirement allowance to exceed 66 2/3% of AFC.

Tier C: Group II (Police and Fire) Members Hired on or After July 1, 2011

Group II members with more than 33.3 years of Creditable Service will receive an additional amount equal to 2 percent of Average Final Compensation multiplied by the member’s Creditable Service in excess of 33.3 years but not in excess of 42.5 years.

Note: If Group I or Group II members receive regular Workers’ Compensation payments on a periodic basis, those payments will offset a portion of the member’s Accidental Disability Retirement pension.

Filing for Benefits

Members are encouraged to file for Disability Retirement with a Benefits Specialist when their physician determines that they are no longer able to perform the duties of their NHRS-covered position. Members may contact NHRS to schedule an appointment with a Benefits Specialist. NHRS also encourages members to contact their employer to become aware of any other employer-sponsored benefits for which they may qualify.

Important: Members must file an application for Disability Retirement with NHRS under one of the following conditions:

  • While the member is actively contributing to NHRS on earnings paid to the member by the NHRS employer or on earnings from an employer-funded disability or salary continuance plan.
  • While the member is on an approved leave from NHRS-covered employment under the provisions of the federal Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA).
  • While the member is in receipt of regular Workers’ Compensation payments and still employed by the same employer in an NHRS-covered position.
  • Within one year of the date the member’s contributions to NHRS ceased.

In addition to the general requirements and deadlines, the following documentation is required when applying for Disability Retirement:

  • Application for Accidental Disability Retirement
  • Copy of the member’s birth certificate
  • Employee’s Statement of Disability
  • NHRS Treating Physician’s Statement
  • Records Release Authorization
  • Wage and Personnel Authorization
  • Form W-4P
  • Form W-9 (or a copy of the member’s Social Security card)
  • Spousal Acknowledgement Form
  • Electronic Direct Deposit (EDD) Form

Additional documentation may be required as part of the application process:

  • Job description
  • Employer’s Statement of Disability
  • Department of Labor First Report(s) of Injury
  • Department of Labor Memo(s) of Payment
  • Lump Sum Settlement Agreement, if applicable
  • Workers’ Compensation records/reports
  • Physician’s medical reports and office notes, as well as any other physician or diagnostic reports relating to the member’s disability claim
  • Beneficiary’s birth certificate, if electing a Survivorship Option
  • Marriage certificate (for Group II members only)

All medical and other supportive documentation must be received by NHRS within 120 days of filing an application. The application shall be deemed to have been withdrawn if the member fails to provide the requested information within 120 days of NHRS’ request, unless the member can establish by a preponderance of the evidence that such failure is not the fault of the member.