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Who is eligible for an ordinary disability pension?

  • Active members with at least 5 years of service, three of them worked consecutively (back to back) with their employer, may be eligible for an ordinary disability pension. Members who are already eligible for a service pension retirement are not eligible for an ordinary disability pension.
  • Members must apply for a disability pension prior to terminating employment. Members who have already terminated employment are not eligible for an ordinary disability pension.

Planning For Retirement - How to Schedule Your Counseling Session - Calculating your benefits

In addition to reviewing your retirement eligibility, you can use the Pension Projection Tool on the ERSRI Member Portal to estimate your benefit amount. The Pension Projection Tool uses the information in your account, which has been submitted to ERSRI by your employer throughout your career. An ERSRI Retirement Counselor will also provide you with an estimate and discuss the calculation of your benefit and the payment options available to you at your counseling appointment.

To learn more about how your retirement benefit is calculated, click the link below.

Withdrawing Your Contributions

Upon termination of employment, if you are not vested in the system or if you are vested but elect not to receive a deferred retirement benefit from ERSRI, you can elect to take a refund of your pension contributions without interest. You can roll this money over into a qualified retirement account or take the refund as a direct cash payment.

If taken in the form of a direct cash payment to you (in lieu of a roll over), a refund of your contributions is subject to state and federal income taxes, and ERSRI must withhold 20% in federal tax from the taxable portion of your refund. In addition, if you receive a lump sum distribution of your pre-tax member contribution account from the System before the minimum age for federal and state requirements, and you do not roll it over into another qualified plan or an Individual Retirement Account (IRA), you may also have to pay a tax penalty for early withdrawal.

When considering a refund, ERSRI strongly encourages you to seek advice from a qualified tax professional. ERSRI cannot provide you with such advice.

To initiate a refund of your ERSRI contributions, use the link below to download and submit an Application for Termination Packet form or call the Member Service Center at (401) 462-7600 and request a Termination Packet.

Application for Termination Packet form
Application for Termination Packet form

Use this form to receive information regarding a refund of contributions.

If you wish to withdraw funds from your Defined Contribution Plan after you terminate your employment, or if you have related questions, contact TIAA at (800) 897-1026 or their website by using the link below. Note that your employer must terminate you in the TIAA system before you can take a refund, which may take up to 8 weeks from your last day of work.

TIAA of Rhode Island

Get to know ERSRI

Most members of the Employees’ Retirement System have a hybrid benefit plan made up of a Defined Benefit plan and a Defined Contribution plan.

Note: Correctional Officers, State Police and certain public safety employers only provide the Defined Benefit plan and do not participate in the Defined Contribution Plan pursuant to Rhode Island General Law.

What is a Defined Benefit Plan?

Pension benefit

A Defined Benefit Plan pays you a specific amount of money per month for your lifetime when you are eligible to retire. The amount of your monthly pension benefit is based on several criteria including when you were hired, how long you have worked, and your salary.

Retiree resources

Set up your account profile

Member account login

Register to access your ERSRI account and login to our secure Member Portal where you can login 24/7 to update your address and contact information, view your pay stubs, submit tax changes, view and print your 1099-R, and more. 

Account Login

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Years of Service:

See Service Credit

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