Missouri Revised Statutes Title XI. Education and Libraries § 169.663. Disability retirement, when--return to duty, effect of disability payments--disability defined

1. On or after July first next following October 13, 1969, any member who is serving an employer included in the system at the time the member becomes disabled, or who has served in such a district at some time in the twelve months immediately preceding the member's becoming disabled, and whose disability is traceable to an injury or sickness which was sustained or commenced prior to the cessation of such service, and whose age is less than sixty and whose creditable service is five years or more, may be retired with disability benefits upon written application to the board of trustees, if the member is incapacitated because of physical or mental disability as such disability is herein defined. If such disability shall cease to exist before the recipient of such benefits reaches age sixty, the member's membership status as of the date of the member's disability retirement shall be restored. If the member dies before becoming eligible for a retirement allowance, or if the member seeks to withdraw the member's accumulated contributions, the total of such disability payments shall be deducted from the amount otherwise due the member, the member's beneficiary, or the member's estate.

2. Disability, as a basis for retirement, shall render the individual incapable of earning a livelihood in any occupation and shall be of such nature as to warrant the assumption that it will be permanent. Whether or not such disability exists, in any case, shall be adjudged in the manner provided in subsection 15 of section 169.020 by the board of trustees on the basis of evidence that the board by its regulations may require.

3. For the purposes of adjustments to Social Security Administration disability benefits pursuant to 20 CFR 404.408 any member receiving disability benefits pursuant to this section who is at least fifty-five years of age and whose creditable service is at least twenty-five years shall be considered to be receiving a normal retirement benefit pursuant to this section.