Applying for Social Security Disability Benefits
If you retired on a disability retirement, you are required to apply for Social
Security disability benefits immediately upon retirement. You also must submit to
the Retirement System a copy of your letter of award or denial of SSD benefits.
Upon receipt of your SSD award, the System will reduce your monthly allowance immediately
to the after age 65 allowance amount. If your award is retroactive, any overpayment
of benefits will be recovered by the System. Failure to submit your SSD information
may result in your pension from the System being withheld. For more information on Social
Security Administration benefits, go to
http://www.ssa.gov/.
Reporting of Gainful Employment Income
In accordance with Section 78-244(b) of the City Code, all disability retirees,
prior to reaching normal retirement age (general employees, age 65; firefighters
and police officers, age 60) are required to submit to the Richmond Retirement System
a copy of their signed federal (Form1040) or state (Form 760) tax return, along
with copies of wage certificates (W2’s), inventories, and schedules in support thereof.
If you file a joint tax return, your spouse’s wage certificates also must be submitted
in order to distinguish between the two incomes. Otherwise all monies earned will
be considered your income and your pension will be reduced, if applicable. If you
were not required to file tax returns, you must submit a notarized
affidavit certifying that no returns were filed. If you refuse to submit
the requested information, your disability benefits will be withheld. Failure to
comply for a period of one year will result in you forfeiting your rights to any
future disability benefits.
Post-retirement Medical Examination
In accordance with Section 78-242(a-c) of the City Code, any member in receipt of
a disability retirement allowance under the System or under the abolished System
may undergo a medical examination by the medical examiner once each year prior to
the date on which the member would have attained the member's normal retirement
date had the member remained in service. Should a member refuse to submit to any
required medical examination, the member's disability retirement allowance shall
be discontinued until the member's withdrawal of such refusal, and should such refusal
continue for one year all the member's rights to any further disability allowance
shall cease. Any retired member entitled to total and permanent disability benefits
under the federal Social Security Act shall be exempt from the requirements. Should
any such Social Security disability retirement award be terminated, these duties
shall again be imposed on the member.
Survivor Option Election
Disability retirees may elect a survivor option for their contingent beneficiary
prior to reaching their normal retirement age. Electing a
survivor option allows you to set aside a percentage of your retirement
allowance to provide a monthly benefit for your spouse or designated beneficiary
upon your death. A survivor option will not be effective until the first day of
the month following your normal retirement age.