If you become disabled while working for a Wisconsin Retirement System employer, you may be eligible to receive WRS disability benefits that will give you income for the time you are unable to work (short-term or long-term). Click on the Related Resources for each benefit to get more information and see if you are eligible to receive the benefit.
Earnings Limit
If you work while you receive disability retirement or Long-Term Disability Insurance (LTDI) benefits, your disability benefit will be suspended if you earn more than a specific earnings limit for the calendar year (substantial gainful activity).
- 2024 limit: $19,883
- 2025 limit: $20,757
This amount will be adjusted each year by a percentage based on the national salary index.
Annual Requirements for Disability Benefits
Each year, recipients of disability benefits must complete and submit form(s) to ensure that their benefits continue without interruption. It is crucial that all required forms are submitted timely to prevent suspension of the benefit.
Read More about Annual Requirements for Disability BenefitsDisability Retirement Benefits
This benefit comes from your WRS retirement account and gives you a lifetime monthly annuity payment if you become disabled and must stop working before your normal retirement age. You may consult the Disability Retirement Benefits (ET-5107) booklet to determine eligibility.
If you are eligible for a disability retirement benefit, you can use our online ETF Web Forms page to fill out the Disability Retirement Estimate Request form. This tool gives members convenient, 24/7 access to the form, which is submitted directly to ETF for processing. You must have a MyWisconsin ID to use the form. If you do not have a MyWisconsin ID, you may sign up for one by selecting Login on the ETF Web Forms page. You may also call ETF to to request a Disability Retirement Estimate.
If you are within one year of minimum retirement age (49 for those in a protective occupation and 54 for all others), also complete a Retirement Estimate Request to determine the appropriate benefit for you.
Duty Disability and Survivor Benefits
This program is for protective occupation employees only. It replaces a portion of your income if you are hurt while working, or get a disease due to your job, and are unable to perform your full protective job duties.
Income Continuation Insurance
The Income Continuation Insurance (ICI) program is an income replacement plan that replaces a portion of your income if you are unable to work because of sickness or injury (both short and long term).
Read More about Income Continuation InsuranceLong-Term Disability Insurance (LTDI)
This program is closed to new claims. People who are currently approved for LTDI benefits will continue to receive benefits under program rules.