Return to Work Information
General Requirements
Retirees returning to employment with a MERS employer must pay employee contributions during part-time or full-time employment.
A retired MERS member must wait at least 30 days from the effective date of retirement before returning to either part-time or full-time employment with a MERS employer. A member cannot have an agreement in place to return to work, prior to terminating employment and retiring.
- Members who retired early with an actuarially reduced retirement are not eligible to return to work under these provisions.
- Disability retirees may not return to work without submitting to MERS a medical determination that they are no longer disabled.
Part-Time Reemployment (less than 35 hours per work)
Part-time retirees are subject to earning limits, with limited exceptions. Earnings must be reported monthly to MERS.
A retiree should request their part-time earnings limit that may be earned without offsetting the retirement benefit before accepting the position.
After part-time employment ends, post-retirement employee contributions are refunded upon application, without interest.
Full-Time Reemployment (at least 35 hours per week)
Monthly retirement benefits are suspended while the retiree returns to full-time employment with a MERS employer.
If full-time reemployment continues for 12 months or more, an additional benefit is calculated and added to the original benefit after termination.
If employment ends with less than 12 months of service, post-retirement employee contributions are refunded upon application, without interest.
Need help? Call MERS at 225-925-4810 or 1-800-820-1137.