State Highway Patrol Officers Face Greater Risk
Winter is here. Unfortunately, winter weather conditions bring increased risk to State Highway Patrol Officers. The number of motor vehicle collisions involving State Highway Patrol Officers has risen in the last several years. A quick sampling of your colleagues will reveal that a significant number have been involved in collisions during their career, many of […]
Special Benefits for Minnesota Police Officers, Firefighters, State Troopers, and Corrections Officers
If you are a police officer, firefighter, first responder, or correctional officer, and pay into Public Employee Retirement Association (PERA) or Minnesota State Retirement System (MSRS) you are entitled to different benefits depending on your plan type. There are different plans and benefits that are available to members when they become ill or are injured, […]
The Timeline to Expect When a PERA Claim is Filed
Once you decide to file for PERA Duty Disability, the next question that is frequently asked is How long is this going to take? The reason for that question is obvious. We all have expenses that need to be paid. We have mortgages, we have rent, we have kids, we have college, we have bills […]
Duty Disability Benefits: What PERA Members Will Receive
Police officers, firefighters, Hennepin County paramedics, and correctional officers who sustain a work-related injury or suffer from a work-related mental health condition may apply for Duty Disability benefits under their PERA pension plan. In order to qualify for Duty Disability benefits under either the PERA Police and Fire Plan or the PERA Correctional Plan, the […]
Minnesota State Highway Patrol Duty Disability Basics
As a State Highway Patrol Officer, you have agreed to serve your community and perform duties that are considered inherently dangerous. If through your dedicated service to the community you sustain an injury or illness that was incurred while performing these inherently dangerous duties specific to a State Highway Patrol Officer you may be eligible […]
Basic Items Needed When Filing for PERA
In addition to workers’ compensation benefits, injured police officers, firefighters, and corrections officers may be eligible for significant retirement and disability benefits, and more under the Minnesota Public Employee’s Retirement Association (PERA). To address some frequently asked questions, Meuser, Yackley & Rowland attorney, Katie Ebnet, provides some basic information and documentation required when filing for […]
Applying for Duty Disability and Social Security Benefits
Some first responders have the ability to apply for both PERA or MSRS Duty Disability benefits and Social Security benefits. There are different criteria for these different types of benefits and you may be eligible for both depending on how many years of service you’ve contributed into both plans. It is important to remember that […]
The Option to Medical Out Instead of Retiring Under PERA
Police officers pay into the Public Employees Retirement Association (PERA). PERA offers a number of benefits to police officers who pay into PERA, one of which is a regular retirement pension. Under PERA once an officer reaches age 55 with at least 20 years of service they are eligible for a full pension which is 60% […]
Managed Medical Review Organization
As part of the PERA application process, your application gets submitted to Managed Medical Review Organization (MMRO). They are a third-party company that PERA contracts with to review all of your medical records with them. Once they receive your application, they will review your medical records, and determine whether or not you sustained a […]
Caring for the Sheepdogs: Police Officer Suicide
Prayer of the Sheepdog By Roger Temple The Knights of Old were Men of Honor Who used their Might For Right! Today they’re known as Sheepdogs, Those who carry on the fight. I am a tired old Sheepdog, The guardian of my flock. I keep the predators at bay And stand watch around the clock. […]
