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Home :: FAQ :: Florida Disability Retirement

If approved for disability retirement, what do I need before my name can be added to the retired payroll?

1. To receive a disability retirement benefit, you must terminate all employment with all   FRS and non-FRS employers.

2. You must designate your beneficiary on the FORM FR-13, Application for Disability Retirement. All previous beneficiary designations are null and void.

3. A Properly completed Option Selection for FRS Members, FORM FRS-11o- You may select an option when you submit your disability application or you may wait until an estimate of benefits is provided. A disability estimate will be provided if you are approved for disability benefits. However, in the event of death prior to filing an   Option Selection Form, by law your option selection will default to Option 1, which  does not provide a benefit to your beneficiary. If you select an option, you may  change the option selection at any time until a benefit payment has been cashed or  deposited. Read carefully the description of each option. You must provide the FRS  with your joint annuitant’s date of birth to have Options 3 and 4 calculated.

Option 1 is a monthly benefit payable for your lifetime. Upon your death, the monthly
benefit will stop, and your beneficiary will receive only a refund of any contributions you have paid, which are in the excess of the amount you received in benefits. Option 1 does not provide a continuing benefit to your beneficiary.

Option 2 is a reduced monthly benefit payable for your lifetime. If you die prior to receiving 120 monthly payments, your designated beneficiary will receive a monthly benefit in the same amount as you were receiving until the monthly benefits payable to both you and the beneficiary equal 120 monthly payments. If you die after you have received 120 monthly payments, there is no continuing benefit to the beneficiary. Anyone can be named as a beneficiary under Option 2, such as charities, organizations, or your estate or trust.

Option 3 is a reduced monthly benefit payable to you while you and your joint annuitant are living. Upon your death, your joint annuitant, if living, will receive a lifetime monthly benefit payment in the same amount as you were receiving.

Option 4 is an adjusted monthly benefit, payable to you, while you and your joint           annuitant are living. Upon the death of either you or your joint annuitant, the monthly benefit, payable to the survivor, is reduced to two-thirds of the monthly benefit received when both were living.

Exception to Option 3 and 4: The benefit paid to a joint annuitant under age 25, who is not your spouse, will be your option 1 benefit amount. The benefit will stop when your joint annuitant reaches age 25, unless disabled and incapable of  self-support, in which case, the benefit will continue for the duration of the disability. If you are naming someone other than a spouse under Options 3 or 4, please obtain the Joint Annuitant Form, JAD, from the Division of  Retirement. The amount of reduction for Options 3 or 4 depends on your age and the age of your joint annuitant.

4. A check payable to the Florida Retirement System for any amount you owe, or a        written statement that you do not wish to claim the service. You must put your social       security number on the face of the check. Or, you can roll over the funds from a              qualified plan (IRA, deferred compensation, etc.) to pay the amount due, except for         upgraded service. The Pretax Direct Rollover Form, FORM PRO-1, must be received      with the payment. This form can be obtained from our office or the Web page.                 Otherwise, a written statement must be provided, stating that you do not wish to              claim the service.

5. Proof of your birth date. If you select Option 3 or 4, you must also submit birth date   verification for your beneficiary. FRS will accept legible photocopies of one of the            following:

a.    Birth Certificate

b.    Delayed birth certificate

c.    Census report more than 30 years old

d.    Life insurance policy more than 30 years old

e.    Letter from the Social Security Administration, stating the date of birth it has                               established for the payment benefits

f.    Certificate of Naturalization

g.   In the absence of one of the above, a document from two of the following categories will be required:

(1)   Birth certificate of child, showing age of parent (limit one)

(2)   Baptismal certificate more than 30 years old

(3)   Hospital record of birth

(4)   School record at time of entering grammar school

6. A final certification of your earnings by your employer for the last four months of your employment. Your employer is aware of this requirement.

7. If you claim military service, you must provide the Division with a copy of your FORM       DD-214 and a Statement of Military Eligibility, MF-1 or MF-2.

8. Direct Deposit of your benefit is available through the State’s Electronic Funds   Transfer (EFT) program. An application will be mailed to you after your name has             been added to the Retired payroll. If you are a State employee, currently on EFT, you      will automatically continue EFT unless you cancel your authorization.