For Members Retiring Congratulations on Your Upcoming IPERS Retirement

In the Event of the Unexpected

Disability Benefits

If you receive social security disability or railroad retirement disability benefits, you may be eligible for disability benefits from IPERS even before age 55.

To qualify for disability benefits, you must meet all of the following
conditions:

• Have ended all IPERS-covered employment.
• Be vested.
• Be receiving federal social security or railroad retirement disability benefits.
• Apply for benefits. You must indicate on your application for IPERS retirement benefits that you are retiring due to a disability.

If you return to covered employment after beginning to receive disability benefits from IPERS, your benefits may be suspended or reduced.

Death Benefits

If You Die Before You Start Receiving Benefits

IPERS provides death benefits in the event that you die before beginning to receive your IPERS benefits. How IPERS pays out the benefits depends on how you designate your beneficiary(ies).

• If you have only one beneficiary designated, your beneficiary may choose between a lump-sum payment or a lifetime monthly payment, when eligible (provided the monthly benefit is $50 or more).
• If you have more than one individual listed as a beneficiary or your designated beneficiary is an estate, trust, church, charity, or other similar organization, your beneficiary(ies) will only receive a lump-sum payment.

If You Die After You Start Receiving Benefits

Your beneficiary(ies) may receive a death benefit if you die after retirement, depending on the payment option you elected when you retired.

For more specific information about the type of benefit your beneficiary will receive, please refer to Your Payment Options.