San Bernardino County Retirement Association Supplemental Disability Retirement Benefit

San Bernardino County Employees Retirement Association makes available a Supplemental Disability Retirement for General Members when it determines they qualify. The San Bernardino County Employees Retirement Association adopted Gov’t Code §31740 providing eligible General Members Supplemental Disability Benefits. Government Code §31740 provides a $300.00 supplemental disability retirement allowance in addition to any other benefits due, “provided  the member’s disability is such that the member is incapable of gainful employment.” “Gainful employment” is defined by the Board of Retirement as “the performance of any service for compensation with  the  exception of service as a juror or witness in a court proceeding, or service as an  San Bernardino County Employees Retirement Association Supplement Disability Retirement Benefit election official.”

San Bernardino County Employees Retirement Association Supplemental Disability Retirement Benefit is only for General Members

General Members that are incapable of any gainful employment (other thanservice as a juror, witness, or election official), may apply for a supplemental disability retirement allowance of $300 a month at the time they file for a Disability Retirement. This may be proved by the member’s medical and vocational evidence. SBCERA’s medical examiner and advisor will also give an opinion on whether the member is capable of any gainful. If the member is denied this benefit, the member may appeal that denial and undergo a due process hearing to challenge the denial.  

The supplement was created to replace benefits lost when General Members stopped participating in Social Security. It is not available to Safety Members, who have never participated in Social Security. It is not available to Safety Members, who have never participated in Social Security. If a member is granted the supplemental allowance, the member must declare under oath every six months to SBCERA that they remain incapable of gainful employment. The member  must also notify SBCERA if a change occurs in the member’s medical condition that makes gainful employment possible.

The supplemental allowance ends upon the member’s death. It does not become part of any payments made to beneficiaries. This allowance is not considered when calculating COLAs or community property in divorce cases.

https://www.sbcera.org/sites/main/files/file-attachments/supplemental_disability_declaration.pdf?1588744259