Return to service - Disabled member

If the recipient of a disability benefit under North Dakota Century Code chapter 54-52 returns to work, that member is responsible for reporting employment to the public employees retirement system. 1. If a member is working in a permanent full-time position and is eligible to participate in the public employees retirement system, monthly benefits from the public employees retirement system must be suspended. If the individual is not able to continue employment for a consecutive period of time resulting in nine months of service credit as a result of the disability and continues to meet eligibility requirements under the plan, that member may resume disability status with the public employees retirement system. 2. If a member returns to substantial gainful activity in employment not covered under the public employees retirement system, the disability benefit may continue for up to nine consecutive months. If the individual is not able to continue employment for at least nine months as a result of the disability and continues to meet eligibility requirements under the plan, the member may continue disability status with the public employees retirement system. 3. Upon subsequent termination and retirement, the member is required to select the same benefit option as the option selected at initial retirement. 4. If a member dies during subsequent employment, the member's initial retirement benefit option election applies and the date of death is considered the subsequent retirement date. 5. If a member's spouse dies during the subsequent employment of the member, section 71-02-04-04 applies to the member's initial and subsequent retirement benefit calculation.