An employee must have at least two (2) years of service credit under the State Universities Retirement System (SURS) to be eligible to qualify for disability benefits. The two-year requirement for SURS disability coverage is waived if the disability is a result of an accident.
Disability benefits may be payable from the State Universities Retirement System (SURS) after the later of 60 calendar days of disability or the exhaustion of all salary continuation (accumulative sick leave, extended sick leave, nonaccumulative sick leave, compensatory time, and vacation). For example, if an employee has paid benefits to cover 40 days, he/she will be in a no-pay status for 20 days before beginning disability benefits on the 61st day; likewise, if an employee has paid benefits to cover 120 days, then disability benefits would begin on the 121st day. If a SURS-eligible disability is expected, the appropriate application forms should be completed in the Benefits Section of the Office of Human Resources.
SURS disability benefits are payable at 50% of the employee's current rate of pay until he/she receives benefits equal to one-half of all earnings received while in a SURS-eligible position. While receiving disability benefits from SURS, an employee continues to accrue service credit under SURS.
Policy Owner: Human Resources
Contact: Human Resources (309)438-8311
Revised on: 08/1999
