A member of the Teacher Retirement System (TRS) may be eligible to receive TRS Disability Retirement benefits if you become totally and permanently disabled.  If you have:

• Less than 10 years of TRS service credit, TRS provides a $150 monthly disability benefit payable for the: (1) number of months service credit, (2) duration of disability, or (3) duration of you life, whichever is less.  There is no disability retiree insurance for TRS participants with less than 10 years of service, but you may have an insurance continuation option through COBRA. 
   

• At least 10 years of TRS service credit, you may qualify for a monthly annuity equal to the TRS retirement benefit formula without reduction for early age.  You may also qualify for retiree insurance through ERS.   See the ERS website at www.ers.state.tx.us for details.

For more information about TRS Disability Retirement benefits, see the TRS Benefits Handbook at www.trs.state.tx.us.

If you are an Optional Retirement Program (ORP) participant with at least 10 years of ORP service credit and you become totally and permanently disabled, you may apply for Disabled ORP Retiree status with ERS for retiree insurance benefits only.  There is no disability retiree insurance for ORP participants with less than 10 years of service, but you may have an insurance continuation option through COBRA.

Note: ERS website information regarding "ERS retirement or annuity payments" does not apply to Higher Ed employees.  Higher Ed employees have TRS or ORP retirement, not ERS retirement.