Disability Benefits

Disability Waiver

While on disability waiver (also called “disability waiver of contributions”), you continue to accumulatecredited serviceTooltipin the OMERS Plan, as if you are still working. The OMERS Plan covers your contributions and your employer’s contributions. Earnings used to calculate your pension are increased by the lower of the annual increase in the Average Industrial Wage (AIW) or the Consumer Price Index (CPI).

To qualify for a disability waiver you must betotally disabledTooltipas defined by the OMERS Plan. If you qualify, the disability waiver begins on the first day of the fifth month after you become totally disabled.

The disability waiver benefit continues until one of these events occurs:

•  You are no longer totally disabled.

•  You begin receiving an OMERS Plan disability orearly retirementTooltippension (as applicable based on your eligibility).

•  You return to work other than on an OMERS-approved rehabilitation program.

•  You leave your employer and elect a termination benefit from the OMERS Plan.

•  You reach yournormal retirement ageTooltipand become eligible for a retirement pension.

• You pass away.

Disability Pension

If you becometotally and permanently disabledTooltip, as defined by the OMERS Plan, you can begin a disability pension. Your disability pension is an unreduced early retirement pension calculated using the OMERS Plan pension formula.

The disability pension can begin on the later of:

• the first day of the fifth month after you become totally and permanently disabled; or

• the first of the month following the month you elect a disability pension, if you have been on a disability waiver.

Note:

If you are on disability waiver immediately before beginning an OMERS Plan disability pension, the waiver benefit ends when your pension begins, and you will no longer accrue credited service in the OMERS Plan.

The disability pension continues until:

• you reach yournormal retirement ageTooltip, and your disability pension becomes an OMERS Plan normal retirement pension; or

• you no longer meet the definition of totally and permanently disabled;

• you elect an early retirement pension (this only applies if you have terminated employment with your OMERS employer and are within 10 years of your normal retirement age);

• you pass away; or

• you return to work, other than on an OMERS-approved rehabilitation program.

Maximum OMERS Disability Pension

The maximum OMERS Plan disability pension that you can receive each month is equal to 85% of the normal monthly contributory earnings you last received from your employer.

If you are in receipt of Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) benefits, this amount will also be counted towards the maximum disability pension you can receive. In this case, your combined monthly WSIB benefit and disability pension from the OMERS Plan cannot exceed 85% of the monthly contributory earnings that you last received from your employer.

If you exceed these limits, your OMERS Plan disability pension will be reduced until you reach your normal retirement age. If you are in receipt of WSIB benefits and the WSIB benefit changes before your normal retirement date (for reasons other than inflation adjustments), you are required to contact OMERS with the updated amount.

 

Shortened Life Expectancy

If, because of an illness or other condition, your life expectancy is less than two years, you may be able to unlock thecommuted valueTooltipof your pension in cash, less applicable taxes. Once you receive this shortened life expectancy benefit, no further benefit is payable from the OMERS Plan to you, your survivors,beneficiaryTooltipor estate.

If you have an eligible spouse, they must provide their written consent for you to withdraw the funds.