15-39.1-18. Disability retirements

15-39.1-18. Disability retirements 1. Any member may also retire and receive a disability annuity if, after a period of at least five years of service as a member in this state, the member qualifies for total disability as determined by the board. 2. The amount of the disability annuity is the amount computed by the retirement formula in section 15-39.1-10 without consideration of age. A member determined eligible for a disability annuity under this section may elect to receive an annuity under any of the options allowed in section 15-39.1-16, except the partial lump sum option. 3. The disability annuity continues until the death or prior recovery of the disabled annuitant. The board shall ascertain by periodic medical examinations the continued disability status of a disabled annuitant. 4. If a disabled annuitant recovers and returns to active teaching, that annuitant is entitled to the retirement benefit credits which the annuitant earned prior to the time of disablement, and the credits which the annuitant earned after returning to active teaching must be added to those earned prior to disablement.