PERAC Memo #49 - 1998: G.L. c. 32, § 8 EVALUATIONS

G.L. c. 32, § 8 EVALUATIONS

Summary

PERAC Memo #49/1998 announces that PERAC's Disability Unit will begin conducting G.L. c. 32, §8 evaluations of disability retirees to determine their ability to return to work, using a quarterly Selection List identifying retirees due for review (annually for the first two years, then every three years, or upon request/substantial earnings). Boards should expect quarterly Selection Lists with accompanying instructions and must ensure identified members participate in the scheduled PERAC evaluations; questions can be directed to the Disability Unit.

Full Text

PERAC MEMO #49/1998 M E M O R A N D U M TO: ALL RETIREMENT BOARDS FROM: JOSEPH E. CONNARTON, Deputy Executive Director RE: G.L. c. 32, § 8 EVALUATIONS DATE: October 7, 1998 This memorandum serves to advise retirement boards that PERAC’s Disability Unit is now evaluating disabled members for possible return to service. These members are identified by the PERAC Selection List. Such evaluations, to be scheduled by PERAC, will take place once per year during the first two years after retirement and once every three years thereafter. Members who request an evaluation as well as members whose Earnings Statements show substantial earnings will also be selected for evaluation. Pursuant to Massachusetts General Laws, c. 32, § 8, any member retired for accidental or ordinary disability is required to participate in an evaluation to determine whether: He or she is able to perform the essential duties of the position from which he or she retired, or a similar job within the same department for which he or she is qualified, or he or she may be able to return to his or her former job or similar job by participation in a medical or vocational rehabilitation program, or he or she continues to be unable to perform the essential duties of the position from which he or she retired, or a similar position within the same department. Each quarter the Boards will receive a PERAC Selection List showing retirees identified for evaluation during that quarter. Instructions will accompany the Selection List. If you have any questions regarding the PERAC Evaluation process, please call (617) 591-8956 and ask to speak with Barbara Lagorio, Disability Unit Director, or Patricia Lowery, Assistant Director.