Each retirement system has different requirements that must be met prior to obtaining benefits. If your injury or illness prevents you from performing your job duties with your current employer, you may be eligible for disability retirement. 

If you were injured at work, your employer is required by law to pay for workers' compensation benefits, including medical care and temporary & permanent disability benefits. 

Administered by the Social Security Administration (SSA), Social Security Disability benefits are available to individuals who have a disability and meet the necessary medical criteria. In order to be eligible, you must have worked long enough and paid Social Security taxes. In addition, your disability must keep you from being able to perform your job for at least a year or more and keep you from adjusting to other work.