Maine Code § 5-18506

Reduction in amount of benefit
Open in Lexace · Ask the AI about this section
1. Excess compensation. If the compensation received from engaging in any gainful occupation
by a beneficiary of a disability retirement benefit exceeds $20,000 in calendar year 2000 or in any

subsequent calendar year exceeds that amount cumulatively increased by the same percentage
adjustments granted under section 18407:
A. The excess must be deducted from the disability or service retirement benefits in accordance
with section 17054, subsection 3; and [PL 2025, c. 221, §42 (AMD).]
B. The beneficiary shall reimburse the retirement system for any excess payments not deducted
under paragraph A. [PL 1985, c. 801, §§5, 7 (NEW).]
[PL 2025, c. 221, §42 (AMD).]
2. Disability payments under other laws. The reduction of disability retirement benefits because
of disability benefits received under other laws is governed as follows.
A. The amount of any disability retirement benefit payable under this article must be reduced by
any amount received by the beneficiary for the same disability under either or both of the following:
(1) The workers' compensation or similar law, except amounts that may be paid or payable
under former Title 39, section 56-B or Title 39-A, section 212, subsection 3; or
(2) The United States Social Security Act, if the employment for which creditable service with
the employer is allowed was also covered under that Act at the date of disability retirement.
[PL 1993, c. 680, Pt. A, §17 (AMD).]
B. Disability retirement benefits shall be calculated as follows:
(1) The initial disability retirement benefit shall be reduced if necessary so that the benefit plus
any benefits under paragraph A do not exceed 80% of the beneficiary's average final
compensation;
(2) Subsequent cost-of-living adjustments applied to any benefit listed under paragraph A shall
be excluded from the calculations under subparagraph (1);
(3) Adjustments under section 18407 shall be applied to that portion of disability retirement
benefits calculated under subparagraph (1); and
(4) If a beneficiary receives a benefit under paragraph C, the 80% limit under subparagraph
(1) shall not include adjustments under section 18407. [PL 1987, c. 458, §2 (RPR).]
C. The disability retirement benefit may not be reduced below the amount of the retirement benefit
that is the actuarial equivalent of the member's accumulated contributions at the time of the
member's retirement. [RR 2023, c. 2, Pt. B, §151 (COR).]
D. Lump-sum settlements of benefits that would reduce the disability retirement benefit under this
subsection must be prorated on a monthly basis in an equitable manner prescribed by the board.
(1) These prorated lump-sum settlements may not include any part of the lump-sum settlement
attributable to vocational rehabilitation, attorneys' fees, physicians, nurses, hospital, medical,
surgical or related fees or charges or any amount paid or payable under former Title 39, section
56-B or Title 39-A, section 212, subsection 3.
(2) These prorated lump-sum settlements must reduce the disability retirement benefit in the
same manner and amount as monthly benefits under this subsection. [PL 1993, c. 680, Pt. A,
§18 (AMD).]
E. Any dispute about amounts paid or payable under workers' compensation or about the amount
of the lump-sum settlement and its attributions must be determined, on petition, by a single member
of the Workers' Compensation Board, in accordance with Title 39-A. These determinations may be
appealed under Title 39-A, section 322. [PL 1991, c. 885, Pt. E, §14 (AMD); PL 1991, c. 885,
Pt. E, §47 (AFF).]
[RR 2023, c. 2, Pt. B, §151 (COR).]

3. Restoration to service. If any recipient of a disability retirement benefit is restored to service,
and if the total of the recipient's monthly retirement benefit for any year and the recipient's total earnable
compensation for that year exceed the recipient's average final compensation at retirement, increased
by the same percentage adjustments as have been received under section 18407, the excess must be
deducted from the disability retirement benefit payments during the next calendar year.
A. The deductions must be prorated on a monthly basis over the year or part of the year for which
benefits are received in an equitable manner prescribed by the board. [PL 2007, c. 491, §245
(AMD).]
B. The recipient of the disability retirement benefit shall reimburse the retirement system for any
excess payments not deducted under this section. [PL 1985, c. 801, §§5, 7 (NEW).]
C. If the retirement benefit payments are eliminated by operation of this subsection:
(1) The person again becomes a member of the Participating Local District Retirement
Program and begins contributing at the current rate; and
(2) When the person again retires, the person must receive benefits computed on the person's
entire creditable service and in accordance with the law in effect at that time. [PL 2007, c.
491, §245 (AMD).]
[PL 2013, c. 391, §15 (AMD).]

‹ Prev All Maine sections Next ›


Lexace provides legal information, not legal advice, and no attorney–client relationship is created. Statute text is provided for general information and may not reflect the most recent amendments; verify against the official state code.