Upon retirement for ordinary disability under § 16-16-14, a teacher shall receive a benefit equal to the rate prescribed for service retirement under § 16-16-13 subject to the provisions of § 16-16-20; provided, however, that no teacher retiring with less than ten (10) years of total service shall receive a benefit less than he or she would have received if he or she had ten (10) years of total service.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-16-15