Working After Retirement

Regardless of which plan you are in or whether a position is benefit eligible, the following IRS requirements apply:

1. There must be a minimum 30-day separation between retirement and reemployment for a member to be considered retired.
2. Before retirement, there cannot be a predetermined arrangement to return to work.

If an MPERS retiree meets these requirements and returns to work in a benefit-eligible position under MPERS or MOSERS, the retiree’s monthly retirement benefit will be temporarily suspended (see the exception below for Closed Plan retirees). A benefit-eligible position is one that normally requires at least 1,040 hours of work per year. The employer determines whether a position is benefit eligible or non-benefit eligible.

More information about bona fide separation and reemployment after retirement is available on the Frequently Asked Questions page.

Closed Plan Retirees

Benefit-Eligible Position

If a Closed Plan retiree returns to work for MoDOT or MSHP in a benefit-eligible position:

• The monthly MPERS retirement benefit is suspended for any month in which the retiree is actively employed.
• After one continuous year of employment, the retiree earns service credit for time worked after retirement.

When the retiree reenters retirement, the benefit will equal the monthly amount received at the time of suspension plus an additional monthly benefit for service earned during reemployment. The additional benefit is paid according to the annuity option originally elected.

If a Closed Plan retiree returns to work in a benefit-eligible position covered by MOSERS:

• The monthly MPERS retirement benefit is not suspended.
• No additional MPERS service credit is earned.

Non-Benefit-Eligible Position

Closed Plan retirees may work in a non-benefit-eligible position with no suspension of their monthly MPERS retirement benefit. No additional MPERS service credit is earned while working in a non-benefit-eligible position.

Closed Plan retirees may also work as independent contractors for MoDOT or MSHP, or perform other independent contractor work, without suspension of their monthly MPERS retirement benefit.

Year 2000 Plan and 2011 Tier Retirees

Benefit-Eligible Position

If a Year 2000 Plan or 2011 Tier retiree returns to work in a benefit-eligible position covered by MPERS or MOSERS:

• The monthly MPERS retirement benefit is suspended for any month in which the retiree is actively employed.
• After one continuous year of employment, the retiree earns service credit for time worked after retirement.

When the retiree reenters retirement, the benefit will equal the monthly amount received at the time of suspension plus an additional monthly benefit for service earned during reemployment. The additional benefit is paid according to the annuity option originally elected.

Non-Benefit-Eligible Position

Year 2000 Plan and 2011 Tier retirees may work in a non-benefit-eligible position without suspension of their monthly MPERS retirement benefit. No additional MPERS service credit is earned while working in a non-benefit-eligible position.