Members who have been awarded disability pensions and have not reached their retirement age are required to provide ERSRI with periodic medical updates and earnings information. Each year, ERSRI sends out a Annual Continuing Statement which asks members receiving a disability pension to provide a copy of their tax returns (if filing) and updated medical information.

Failure to provide ERSRI with earnings information may result in the suspension of pension benefits. Members who do not provide updated medical information may be assigned to an independent medical examination or ultimately have their pension benefits revoked.

A member’s disability pension benefit will be adjusted if the statutory earning limit has been exceeded.

Members who have recovered or appear to have recovered from their disability will be assigned to an Independent Medical Evaluation (IME). Members who are no longer disabled will be placed on a list with their former employer to return to work.

Members will receive notification prior to adjustment, suspension, or revocation of their disability pension benefits.

Click here to download disability compliance forms

• You can apply for a disability pension by contacting the ERSRI Member Service Center at (401) 462-7600.
• You will be required to complete an application and provide documentation from your employer, medical records from your treating physician and, in certain instances, an insurance claims history in support of your application.
• Once all of your records have been returned to ERSRI, you will undergo three (3) independent medical examinations (IMEs). ERSRI will provide you with the names and contact info of the doctors who will conduct your examinations. ERSRI will pay for the cost of these visits.
• Once you have visited all three IME doctors, your application will be considered by the Disability Committee.
• The Disability Committee will make a recommendation to the full Retirement Board which will notify you of its decision.
• Members are generally not required to appear before the Disability Committee or the Retirement Board. However, you will receive notification if you are required to appear.

• An ordinary disability pension benefit is based on a member’s schedule type, years of service, and final average salary. Members with between 5 and 10 years of service will be given credit for 10 years.
• Once ERSRI has received your application a retirement counselor will provide you with a benefit estimate.

• Active members with at least 5 years of service, three of them worked consecutively (back to back) with their employer, may be eligible for an ordinary disability pension. Members who are already eligible for a service pension retirement are not eligible for an ordinary disability pension.
• Members must apply for a disability pension prior to terminating employment. Members who have already terminated employment are not eligible for an ordinary disability pension.