If you're thinking about working after retirement, make sure it works for you and find out how to keep your pension intact.

Working after retirement is a common desire, and for good reason. Maybe you miss the satisfaction of helping others through collaboration and solving problems, or you realize you could use the income. Many public employees, teachers, and emergency responders discover that retirement doesn’t mean they’re ready to step away from work entirely. If you want to return to work with an INPRS-covered employer, understanding your options through your specific plan is essential for a smooth transition

The different pension plans INPRS offers each have different rules, to ensure your pension benefit continues.

PERF & TRF Hybrid Plans

You can re-employ after you have retired while continuing to receive your hybrid pension benefits. If you return to a PERF/TRF hybrid position, you must have a separation of employment for at least 30 days. If you go back to work before 30 days or make an agreement to do so, your retirement becomes void, and you’ll no longer receive a monthly pension benefit and will also have to pay back any money you received from INPRS. You will earn no additional service credit.

PERF My Choice & TRF My Choice Plans

Once you have taken a distribution of your DC (defined contribution) and rollover pre-tax contribution funds, you can re-employ. If your re-employment occurs within 30 days of your distribution, your distribution will be void, and you may be required to repay any distributions you received.

1977 Fund

If you’re retiring but are staying with the same employer in a position not covered by the 1977 Fund and are under age 55, you’ll need a 30-day separation from service before re-employment.

If you’re retiring and are age 55 or older, or you’re moving to a different employer, you don’t need to be separated from employment for 30 days.

JRS & PARF Plans

If you have retired and are returning to a covered position in any of these funds, the benefits paid will be suspended upon your return. If you have not reached the maximum service credit limit for that fund, you will resume contributing to the fund and earning additional years of credit. Once you are ready to retire, the new benefit will be calculated appropriately.

EG&C Plan

If you retire as a member of the EG&C plan, you cannot return to an EG&C-covered position and receive service credit. You can return to employment, not in an EG&C-covered position, and earn benefits through a different plan.

Understanding how re-employment can impact your benefits is essential for protecting your retirement and allowing you to make the right choice.

Remember, we're not done helping – even after you retire!

For more information, check out our INPRS Member Handbooks.