(a) Upon retirement for nonservice-connected disability, a member who has attained 65 years of age shall receive their service retirement allowance.

(b) Every member under 65 years of age who is retired for nonservice-connected disability and who is not simultaneously retired as a member on deferred retirement of the Public Employees’ Retirement System or a retirement system established under this chapter in another county shall receive a disability retirement allowance, which shall be the greater of the following:

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Terms Used In California Government Code 31726

  • Annuity: A periodic (usually annual) payment of a fixed sum of money for either the life of the recipient or for a fixed number of years. A series of payments under a contract from an insurance company, a trust company, or an individual. Annuity payments are made at regular intervals over a period of more than one full year.
  • Conviction: A judgement of guilt against a criminal defendant.
  • County: includes city and county. See California Government Code 19
  • Person: includes any person, firm, association, organization, partnership, limited liability company, business trust, corporation, or company. See California Government Code 17

(1) The sum to which the member would be entitled as service retirement; or

(2) A sum that shall consist of any of the following:

(A) An annuity that is the actuarial equivalent of the member’s accumulated contributions at the time of retirement.

(B) If, in the opinion of the board, the member’s disability is not due to intemperate use of alcoholic liquor or drugs, willful misconduct, or violation of law on the member’s part, a disability retirement pension purchased by contributions of the county or district.

(C) If, in the opinion of the board, the member’s disability is not due to conviction of a felony or criminal activity that caused or resulted in the member’s disability, a disability retirement pension purchased by contributions of the county or district. This subparagraph shall only apply to a person who becomes a member of the system on or after January 1, 1988.

(Amended by Stats. 2023, Ch. 159, Sec. 15. (SB 885) Effective January 1, 2024.)