Disability Retirement

Ordinary Disability (non job-related)

Eligibility

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

• Active member becomes disabled due to a non-work-related condition
• Member’s disability is likely to be permanent
• Minimum of 10 years of Creditable 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

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 - All Tiers

1.5%* multiplied by Average Final Compensation multiplied by Creditable Service
= approximate annual pension amount

All Group I members are guaranteed a minimum Ordinary Disability Retirement pension amount equal to 25% of their Average Final Compensation.

*The benefit formula for Group I members who retire on an Ordinary Disability Retirement after the age of 60 will be based on the provisions for Service Retirement.

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

2.5% multiplied by Average Final Compensation
multiplied by Creditable Service (maximum of 40 years)
= approximate annual pension amount

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

Benefit Multiplier multiplied by Average Final Compensation
multiplied by Creditable Service (maximum years will vary according to
the Group II Transitional Provisions above) = approximate annual pension amount

The Benefit Multiplier used to calculate the pension benefit is based on years of Creditable Service as of January 1, 2012. 

Note: The benefit multiplier increases to 2.5% for all years after the first 15 years of Group II service for members who retire under service or ordinary disability retirement on or after July 1, 2024. The first 15 years of Group II service will accrue a multiplier of 2.4% to 2.1%, depending on how many years of service the member had on January 1, 2012. 

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

2% multiplied by Average Final Compensation
multiplied by Creditable Service (maximum of 42.5 years)
= approximate annual pension amount

Group II members are guaranteed a minimum Ordinary Disability Retirement pension amount equal to 25% of their final compensation.

Filing for Benefits

Members may file for Disability Retirement 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 filing requirements and deadlines, the following documentation is required when applying for Disability Retirement:

• Application for Ordinary 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 supporting 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.