Teachers' Disability Benefits

There are two main sources of long-term disability benefits for teachers:

State teacher retirement system: Most public-school teachers are covered under a state teacher retirement system. These systems may offer disability pensions if a teacher is permanently unable to perform their duties. The requirements and benefits will vary by state. For example, in New York, this is called disability retirement and requires a minimum of 10 years of service.

Long-term disability insurance: This is a separate insurance policy that a teacher can buy voluntarily, often through their union or association. It provides income replacement if the teacher becomes disabled and unable to work, regardless of whether they can still perform the specific duties of teaching.

Here are some added things to consider:

Social Security Disability: Teachers may also be eligible for Social Security Disability benefits if their disability is expected to last at least one year and prevents them from working in any job.