A non-working spouse of a member receives no retirement benefit. Benefits are a percentage of the worker's average indexed earnings over 35 years. Social Security Reduced benefits begin at age 50 for members with at least 25 years of service, at age 55 for members with at least 20 years of service, and at age 60 for members with at least 5 years of service. Benefits can begin at age 62. PERA Social Security Members qualify for disability benefits if they have at least five years of earned service credit, are found to be disabled from regular and substantial gainful employment, and apply within 90 days of termination.
Requirements vary according to the year of birth.
Workers born after 1976 must have earned six quarters of coverage during the last three years to qualify for disability benefits. They must be unable to perform substantial gainful work in any type of employment. There is a five-month waiting period before benefits can begin. Children receive benefits to age 18, or age 23 if unmarried and full-time students. Benefits to a spouse begin immediately when there are no children eligible, unless the member had less than 10 years of service credit, in which case benefits begin at age 60.