After your interview, the Medical Board will make a recommendation to NYCERS’ Board of Trustees to approve, defer, or deny your application for disability retirement.

You will be notified in writing of the Medical Board’s recommendation within 30 days after your interview and given your options for next steps.

Additionally, you will receive the Medical Board Report detailing the Medical Board’s recommendation within 60 days of your interview.

Both documents are mailed to you and made available in your MyNYCERS account. 

Next Steps if the Medical Board Recommends to Approve Your Disability Application

NYCERS will ask your agency to verify the last day you worked and the last day you were paid, if not previously provided. Upon receipt, NYCERS will establish a retirement date, process your advance payment, and send you a letter advising you of the benefit amount you can expect to begin receiving.

If your agency provides the last day worked/paid information within the expected timeframe, NYCERS will process your case for an advance payment within 60 days from the time you were notified of the Medical Board’s approval of your application.

Approximately 90 days after you receive your first advance payment, you will receive a letter advising you of the amounts payable to you under various options, and a description of your benefit under the options available to you.

Next Steps if the Medical Board Recommends to Defer Your Disability Application

The notice recommending a deferral of your case may ask you to provide additional information to support your case. If you do not provide the requested information to NYCERS within 30 days of the dated deferral notice, your application will be suspended.

If NYCERS receives the requested information within the specified timeframe, you may be scheduled for an additional evaluation by an independent medical specialist.

Next Steps if the Medical Board Recommends to Deny Your Disability Application

You may submit new medical evidence to support your case before the Board of Trustees votes to accept the Medical Board’s recommendation to deny your application. If the evidence provides new information, the Medical Board will conduct an additional review of your case.

Alternatively, if you are eligible for an official appeal proceeding, an appeal request form will be included with your Medical Board Report. Sign, and return it to NYCERS within the allotted timeframe.

What happens if my appeal is unsuccessful?

If your Tier and Plan provide further options to challenge an unsuccessful appeal, your case manager will review them with you (e.g., reapplying or renewing your application, Article 78 relief, or Final Medical Review).

Learn more about Disability Retirement for your Tier and Plan at nycers.org/plan-descriptions.