Disability benefits designated
Seattle Mun. Code § 4.36.650
in effect4.36.650 - Disability benefits designated
A. Upon retirement for disability, as provided in Section 4.36.645, provided the disability is not due to willful misconduct or violation of law, of which the Board shall be the judge, a member shall receive a retirement benefit calculated as follows:
For a member, making application for disability retirement after December 31, 2012, with less than ten years of actual City service, but who otherwise qualifies for a disability retirement under the portability provisions of RCW 41.54.032, 1½ percent of final compensation multiplied by years of creditable City service. For all other members with at least ten years of actual City service, 1½ percent of final compensation multiplied by years of creditable service, if such disability benefit exceeds ⅓ of the member's final compensation; otherwise 1½ percent of final compensation multiplied by years of service which would be creditable to the member were the member's services to continue until attainment of age 62, but such alternative disability benefit shall not exceed ⅓ of such final compensation; provided, that no disability benefit shall exceed 60 percent of final compensation. For purposes of this Section 4.36.650, "final compensation" is determined in accordance with the applicable definition in Section 4.36.050, but with the modification that if the member has not attained the number of consecutive biweekly pay periods stated therein, final compensation shall be determined instead based on the highest number of consecutive biweekly pay periods attained by the member. Notwithstanding any provision of this Section 4.36.650 to the contrary, the minimum disability benefit shall be $140 per month.
When use of proper annuity and pension rates results in a retirement benefit amounting to more than would be realized by adherence to the formula indicated in this Section 4.36.650, the Board shall allow the higher amount.
B. If disability is due to willful misconduct or violation of law on the part of the member, the Board in its discretion may pay to the member, in one lump sum the member's accumulated contributions in lieu of a disability benefit; and such payment shall constitute full satisfaction of all obligations of the City to such member; and upon receipt of such payment the member shall cease to be a member of the system.
C. Distribution of benefits upon the death of a member who has been retired for disability
1. Upon the death of any member who has been retired for disability, such member's accumulated contributions less any payments therefrom already made to such member shall be paid to such member's surviving spouse or domestic partner; or if the deceased member does not have a surviving spouse or domestic partner, or if the surviving spouse prior to the death of such member consented in writing to the naming as hereafter provided of a different beneficiary or beneficiaries, then to such member's estate, or to such person or persons as such member shall have nominated by written designation duly executed and filed with the Board.
2. Any surviving spouse or domestic partner of a member receiving a disability benefit may if named as a beneficiary and eligible based on the member's age at death and years of creditable service elect to receive, in lieu of applicable benefits under subsection 4.36.650.C.1, a monthly benefit the equivalent of a survivor's "Option E" retirement benefit computed on the basis of their age and the member's age at date of death, actuarially reduced by all sums theretofore paid the deceased member. The amount paid shall be reduced by payments to an alternate payee under a court or department order as contemplated by Section 4.36.630. The spouse or domestic partner may, however, elect to receive in lieu of either the above benefits or the benefits under subsection 4.36.650.C.1 a reduced monthly benefit, to cease at such spouse's or domestic partner's death, and in addition a cash payment of not to exceed 1/2 of the deceased member's remaining accumulated contributions. Such cash payment shall effect a reduction of the survivor's monthly benefit by the amount of annuity such payment would have purchased.
(Ord. 125109, § 43, 2016; Ord. 124574, § 35, 2014; Ord. 124082, § 1, 2012; Ord. 121366 § 5, 2003; Ord. 119707 § 6, 1999; Ord. 116802, § 2, 1993; Ord. 116069, § 2, 1992; Ord. 107228 § 2, 1978; Ord. 100792 § 4, 1972; Ord. 99566 §§ 8, 9, 1970; Ord. 95183, §§ 2, 3, 1966; Ord. 88897 § 3, 1960; Ord. 83534, § 4, 1954; Ord. 81521, § 1, 1952; Ord. 79403, § 4, 1950; Ord. 78444 § 16, 1949.)
Source: City of Seattle, Seattle Municipal Code and City Charter (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/wa/seattle/codes/municipal_code?nodeId=TIT4PE_CH4.36CIEMRESY_4.36.650DIBEDEFetched: 11/1/2026