Washington, D.C. – The NFLPA announced today that the new benefit for former players, called the Neuro-Cognitive Disability Benefit, is now in effect under the collective bargaining agreement between the NFL and NFL Players Association. The new benefit will assist players who suffer from mild or moderate neuro-cognitive impairments, regardless of the cause for such impairment. This benefit will pay monthly disability payments to retired players and reimburse players for medical expenses as part of the 88 Plan. This benefit was created as part of the 2011 Collective Bargaining Agreement to increase the benefits plans available to all former players.
Highlights of the plan include:
- For a player with a mild neuro-cognitive impairment, the monthly disability benefit will be the greater of: (1) 50% of the Player’s Total Benefit Credits earned under the Bert Bell/Pete Rozelle NFL Player Retirement Plan, or (2) $1,500.
- For a player with a moderate neuro-cognitive impairment, the monthly disability benefit will be the greater of: (1) the Player’s Total Benefit Credits earned under the Bert Bell/Pete Rozelle NFL Player Retirement Plan, or (2) $3,000.
- In both cases, the Player may be able to receive reimbursement for medical expenses related to the neuro-cognitive impairment of up to $10,000 from the 88 Plan.
- Eligible players must be vested (3 Credited Seasons) under the Bert Bell/Pete Rozelle NFL Player Retirement Plan, have at least one Credited Season after 1994, and be under the age of 55.
- The benefit will be payable for up to 180 months, but not after the player reaches the age of 55.
