Jeff Pabst, CRC
Did you know that your LAGERS benefit isn’t just retirement benefits? If something were to happen to you while you are working there are also disability and survivor benefits available for active workers. These benefits are already included in the benefits provided by your employer and are automatic.
LAGERS classifies disability and survivor benefits as either duty related or non-duty related. The classification of the disability or survivor benefit will have an impact on the amount of benefit that will be payable.
Non-Duty Disability
If you are unable to perform your current job because of an injury or illness that is not related to your job duties, you must be vested (60 months of service) to receive a benefit from LAGERS. As well, the benefit will be calculated using your service and average salary to date. In other words, it will be your current vested benefit paid to you at the time of disability.
Duty Related Disability
If you are unable to perform your current job because of an injury or illness that is related to your job duties, you do not need to be vested to receive a benefit. Additionally, the benefit will be calculated using your current average salary and extended service credit as if you worked until age 60.
Active duty survivor benefits
Active duty survivor benefits operate similarly to disability benefits except that we are going to pay to your survivors. The vesting requirement for Non-Duty Survivor benefit is the same and the extension of service credit is the same Duty Related Survivor benefits.
The first person payable is a spouse of at least 2 years. He or she will receive approximately 65% (Option A amount) of your calculated benefit for the remainder of their life upon your death. If you do not have a spouse, each of your dependent children will be paid an equal share of 60% of your benefit until they are no longer a dependent. LAGERS defines dependent children as adopted or biological children up to the age of 18, unless they go from high school to higher education, then it extends to 23. If you do not have a surviving spouse or dependent children, the only thing payable will be your employee contributions plus interest (if applicable).
There’s much more to LAGERS than just retirement benefits. We are here to ensure you can achieve financial security. That includes if something happens to you that makes you unable to work.
