Disability Benefits - Judges
If a member becomes disabled, but is not yet eligible to retire, the member may qualify for a disability benefit based on his or her annual salary. The member must be totally and permanently disabled as certified by the Kansas Supreme Court. A member will continue receiving service credit and basic life insurance coverage for approved disability periods. A member can also continue any optional insurance coverage.
Disability benefits are calculated using the following formula:
Final average salary x 3.5 percent x years of service = annual disability benefit
Example: $85,000 x 3.5% x 15 = $44,625 annual disability benefit
The minimum benefit is 50 percent of the member's final average salary and the maximum is 70 percent.
Continuing Eligibility Requirements and Age Limits
The Kansas Supreme Court may require a disabled member to be examined by a court-appointed physician at any time. Disability benefits will stop if the member is no longer permanently disabled.
At age 65, disability benefits end and the member must apply for retirement benefits. The member's retirement benefit will be calculated with the additional service credit the member received while on disability. If the member is disabled at least five years, his or her final average salary is adjusted for inflation (according to the Consumer Price Index) at retirement.
Applying for Disability
- The member submits an application for disability to the clerk of the Kansas Supreme Court.
- The Kansas Supreme Court may request other evidence of the disability or require the member to be examined by a court-appointed physician.
- The Kansas Supreme Court will certify their findings to the Retirement System.
- If approved, the member's disability benefits will begin immediately.