Disability Pension from Your Pension Fund: who qualifies, how much and how to claim
In short
- Most employees save in a comprehensive pension fund (קרן פנסיה מקיפה), which includes disability insurance. Many do not know they can claim it.
- Under the fund's rules, you are disabled if at least 25% of your working capacity is lost and you cannot work in your job or another suitable job for more than 90 consecutive days.
- Full disability starts at 75%. The pension is up to 75% of insured salary, depending on your coverage track.
- This is separate from the Bituach Leumi disability allowance. You can receive both.
Who qualifies
- Insured members of a comprehensive pension fund, meaning contributions are paid for you and you have insurance cover.
- Your working capacity is reduced by at least 25% for health reasons, for more than 90 consecutive days.
- You cannot work in your own job or another job suited to your education, training and experience.
How much is paid
- Full disability (75% or more): a pension at your track's coverage rate — 37.5%, 50%, 62.5% or 75% of insured salary.
- Partial disability: a proportional share according to the incapacity percentage.
- Your insured salary and coverage rate are on the fund's annual statement.
Qualifying period
If the illness, accident or medical condition began before you joined the fund, a qualifying period of 60 consecutive insured months applies: disability caused by such a condition within the first 5 years is not covered. Conditions that began after joining are covered without a qualifying period.
How to claim
- Check the fund's annual statement to confirm you have disability cover and see your insured salary.
- Contact the fund and ask for a disability pension claim form.
- Attach medical documents, job and salary details, and Bituach Leumi decisions if you have them.
- The fund's medical body sets the incapacity percentage. Bituach Leumi's decision does not bind it.
Frequently asked questions
I receive a Bituach Leumi disability allowance. Is that enough?
No. This is a separate claim filed with your pension fund. Each body decides under its own rules.
I also have private loss-of-working-capacity insurance.
You may receive both. It depends on the policy terms: some policies offset payments from other sources.
Worth checking too
Loss of Working Capacity Insurance
A policy that pays monthly when illness or injury stops you working. Many people are covered through managers' insurance and do not know it.
General Disability Allowance
A monthly allowance for people whose earning capacity fell by at least 50% because of illness, injury or a birth defect. Up to ₪4,711 a month.
Har HaBituach: all your policies
A Ministry of Finance registry where you see all your insurance policies. The starting point for any claim from an insurer.
Sources
This is general information, not legal advice. Amounts are correct as of the review date and change every January.