(a)  For disability applications submitted on or before September 30, 2009, upon retirement for accidental disability under § 16-16-16 a teacher shall receive a benefit that shall be equal to sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66 2 / 3 %) of his or her annual compensation at the time of his or her retirement, subject to the provisions of § 16-16-20.

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Terms Used In Rhode Island General Laws 16-16-17

  • compensation: includes any and all salary paid for teaching services regardless of whether any part of the salary or compensation is derived from any state or federal grant or appropriation for teachers' salaries, as the term is defined in § 36-8-1(8). See Rhode Island General Laws 16-16-1
  • Evidence: Information presented in testimony or in documents that is used to persuade the fact finder (judge or jury) to decide the case for one side or the other.
  • Service: means service as a teacher as described in subdivision (12) of this section. See Rhode Island General Laws 16-16-1
  • Teacher: means a person required to hold a certificate of qualification issued by or under the authority of the board of regents for elementary and secondary education and who is engaged in teaching as their principal occupation and is regularly employed as a teacher in the public schools of any city or town in the state, or any formalized, commissioner approved, cooperative service arrangement. See Rhode Island General Laws 16-16-1

(b)  Upon any application for accidental disability submitted after October 1, 2009, if the teacher has been found to be permanently and totally disabled from service but has not been found by the board to be permanently and totally disabled from any employment as a result of his/her accidental disability, a teacher shall receive a retirement allowance equal to fifty percent (50%) of the rate of the teacher’s compensation at the date of the teacher’s retirement subject to the provisions of § 16-16-20. The retiree shall, as a condition of continued receipt of a disability retirement allowance, on or before a date fixed by the retirement board, annually under penalties of perjury provide the board with such affidavits and accurate evidence of earnings, employment and gainful activity as the board may require, including, but not limited to, joint and/or individual tax returns. Payment of the disability retirement allowance shall continue as long as the individual remains disabled, and regardless of service or age. Upon retirement for accidental disability that has been found by the board to be permanently and totally disabling from any employment, a teacher shall receive a retirement allowance equal to sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66 2 / 3 %) of the rate of the teacher’s compensation at the date of the teacher’s retirement subject to the provisions of § 16-16-20. The retirement board shall apply the terms of subsection 28-33-17(b) in determining total disability.

History of Section.
P.L. 1992, ch. 306, art. 2, § 4; P.L. 2009, ch. 68, art. 7, § 4.