Disability Retirement

If you become permanently incapacitated from performing your usual and customary job duties while a member of OCERS, you may be eligible for a Disability Retirement allowance.  If you feel you may be eligible, please contact OCERS’ Disability Section at (714) 558-6200 for the necessary forms and for more information.

If you meet the age and service requirement, you may retire with a Service Retirement at any time during the process of your disability application. 

There are two types of disability benefits payable from the system:

Nonservice-Connected Disability Retirement

If your permanent incapacity is not a result of an injury, illness or disease arising out of your employment, you may be eligible for a Nonservice-Connected Disability retirement.

Eligibility

You are eligible for a Nonservice-Connected Disability allowance if:

• You have five or more years of Service Credit

     AND

• The Board of Retirement determines that you are permanently physically or mentally incapacitated from performing the usual and customary duties of any permanent assignment in your job classification.

     AND

•  Your disability is not due to a job-related illness or injury.

Service-Connected Disability Retirement

If you are permanently incapacitated from performing your usual duties and your incapacity is the result of a job-related injury or illness, you may be eligible for a Service-Connected disability retirement benefit, regardless of your age or length of service.

Eligibility

You are eligible for a Service-Connected Disability Retirement allowance if:

• The Board of Retirement deems you are permanently physically or mentally incapacitated from performing the usual duties of any permanent assignment in your job classification.

     AND

•  Your incapacity arose out of, and in the course of your employment, and such employment contributed substantially to your being incapacitated.

There is no minimum age or length of service requirement for a Service-Connected Disability Retirement.

Note: You are not eligible for a disability retirement if you have withdrawn your retirement contributions.