Calculating Your Disability Benefit
The formula for calculating your disability benefit if you are not eligible for Social Security benefits is:
50% of Final Average Earnings*
PLUS
An additional 10% if you have dependent child(ren)**
The formula for calculating your disability benefit if you are eligible for Social Security benefits is:
30% of Final Average Earnings*
PLUS
Full Social Security benefits
PLUS
An additional 10% if you have dependent child(ren)**
*Final Average Earnings is the average of your last 12 months of earnings at Metro before your disability (includes full-time months only).
**For disability pension benefits, a dependent child is defined as a natural child, stepchild, adopted child, or foster-care child for whom documented proceedings are in place, and who is under age 19 or, if a full-time student, between age 19 and 23.
The following example illustrates both methods of calculating the disability benefit. The example assumes that your Final Average Earnings is $3,000 per month and that you have dependent children.
| Not Eligible for Social Security (Metro benefit only) |
Eligible for Social Security (Metro + Social Security benefit) |
|---|---|
| 50% of $3,000 = $1,500 PLUS 10% of $3,000 = $300 (for dependent children) |
30% of $3,000 = $900 PLUS $900 Social Security benefit PLUS 10% of $3,000 = $300 (for dependent children) |
| Total benefit = $1,800/month |
Total benefit = $2,100/month |
As you can see, the disability program provides higher overall benefits to employees who qualify for Social Security. The program's emphasis on case management helps those less seriously disabled to get the care and treatment they need to make a full recovery and return to work as soon as they are able.