62-5 SPD:62/5 SPD.qxd - NYCERS

SUMMARY PLAN DESCRIPTION - 62/5 TIER 4 MEMBERS VERSION APRIL 2012THE PROCESSWhat happens after you apply?Once NYCERS receives your properly completed disability retirement application, NYCERS will:1. Verify your eligibility to apply, which may entail contacting your employing agency to verifyyour employment status and to obtain the Agency Report on Accident (where applicable).2. If eligible, and if you have completed Form #608, ask public hospitals and/or H.I.P. Centersto provide a medical history. Remember, if you have a private physician or your medicalprovider practices in another healthcare facility, you must provide the medical history.3. Verify that your case file, including medical records, is complete. The processing of your casemay be suspended or closed if the Medical Board determines that the medical evidence isinsufficient to schedule you for an examination.4. Schedule you to appear before NYCERS’ Medical Board for a medical interview and/orexamination. (You must confirm your appointment at least 5 days in advance by calling347-643-3000.)Appearing Before NYCERS’ Medical Board for ExaminationYou MUST appear before NYCERS’ Medical Board when scheduled for an interview and/orexamination, or provide proof that you were medically unable to do so. If you fail to do so, yourdisability retirement application will be suspended or closed. Depending on your employmentstatus, you may not be eligible to reapply. Please note that you will have to be examined by theMedical Board before a decision can be made on your application for disability retirement. Nodecision rendered in a proceeding under the Workers' Compensation Law or Social Security Lawshall be binding on the Medical Board. Tier 4 members with Tier 3 rights should refer to page69 for special provisions relating to Social Security determinations.Actions by the Medical Board1. NYCERS’ Medical Board will review your medical file and conduct an interview and/or examination.2. The Medical Board may defer its decision pending receipt of additional medical evidencefrom you or it may refer you to an independent consultant for examination at NYCERS’expense.3. The Medical Board will then make its recommendation to the Board of Trustees either approvingor denying your application.4. Your application could be approved on the condition that you return one year later for reexaminationto determine your continued eligibility to receive a Disability Retirement Benefit.5. The Medical Board reserves the right to reexamine a disability retiree once a year until normalservice retirement age. If upon reexamination the Medical Board determines that youare no longer disabled, the Department of Citywide Administrative Services will place yourname on a list of preferred eligible candidates for appointment to a position in a salarygrade not exceeding that from which you were retired. Your Disability Retirement Benefitwill be paid to you until such time as you are offered a position in public service. If youreturn to work, or if you fail to return to work when offered a position in public service,NYCERS will discontinue payment of your Disability Retirement Benefit.6. Members retired by reason of disability for more than one year may request a reexaminationby NYCERS’ Medical Board to establish their ability to return to work. You must contactNYCERS immediately upon your return to work so that you can be restored to active membership.Failure to do so may jeopardize your rights to future benefits from this system.WWW.NYCERS.ORGDISABILITY RETIREMENT49