The rules for returning to work with the State of Georgia after retirement vary for each plan. It also depends on where you go to work and whether you retired with a service or disability retirement.

Refer to the information below for general return to work rules. Please contact ERSGA for specific details if you are thinking of returning to work for the State of Georgia and have questions.

ERS, JRS, and LRS Service Retirees

If you are a service retiree under ERS, JRS, or LRS and you accept employment or render service, including service as or for an independent contractor*, for an agency covered under ERS or (in some cases) for the Board of Regents, you can only work 1,040 hours (roughly 6 months at full-time) during any calendar year.

If you exceed that number of hours, your monthly benefit will be suspended for the rest of the calendar year. You will begin again receiving your monthly benefit in January and are allowed to work 1,040 hours before your monthly retirement benefit would again be suspended.

You cannot return to employment with a covered employer during the first month of retirement. For those who take early retirement, you cannot return to employment during the first two months following retirement.

There is no restriction for employment that is not with a covered employer.

A retired plan member returning to the service of a covered employer is required to inform the employer of their retirement status prior to accepting a position. Failure to provide notice of retirement status can result in liability to the member in the event of a pension overpayment.

*Retirees Returning to Work as Contract Employees: Retirees who return to employment as an independent contractor are not subject to the 1,040 hour work limitation if the state agency or employer certifies the following: 1. The contracting entity has multiple employees, and 2. the contracting entity has multiple contracts and the contracts are not limited to State of Georgia employers, and 3. the contractual relationship with the State of Georgia employer(s) was not created to allow a retiree(s) to continue employment in a similar position after retirement. ERS retirees who were already in a contract situation as of May 11, 2009 are not subject to these new restrictions but will be subject to these restrictions once the current contract expires.

Rehired Retiree FAQ: ERS, JRS, and LRS

Will returning to employment outside of the state affect my retirement benefit?

No.

When can I return to work for the state after I retire?

In most cases, a 30-day break in service is required before you can return to work as a rehired retiree for an ERS, JRS, or LRS employer.

Should I disclose my retiree status to my employer?

Yes, it is your responsibility to disclose your retiree status to your employer.

How much can I work?

In most cases, rehired retirees are subject to the 1040 hours limitation. You can work up to 1040 hours in a calendar year and it will not affect your monthly retirement benefit.

Who reports my rehired retiree hours to ERSGA?

Your employer is responsible for reporting your hours to ERSGA.

I’m subject to the 1040 hours limitation and I’ve exceeded 1040 hours in a calendar year. What happens?

Your pension benefit becomes suspended the month following the month you exceed 1040 hours. Your benefit will automatically be reinstated in January of the next calendar year. You’ll be notified via letter if your benefit is suspended.

Where can I view the hours my employer has reported to ERSGA?

You can view your rehired retiree hours by logging into the self-service portal at ers.ga.gov and navigating to ‘View Rehired Retiree Employment Data’.

I’ve identified a discrepancy in my rehired retiree hours reported to ERSGA. Who should I contact?

You should contact your employer. Your employer is responsible for resolving any discrepancies with rehired retiree hours reported to ERSGA.

Can I go back to work for TRS?

Yes, ERS, LRS, and JRS retirees are eligible to participate in TRS. It is your responsibility to disclose your retirement status to your TRS employer. The 1040 hours limitation applies in some scenarios.

What will happen to my health insurance?

If your re-employment makes you eligible for State Health Benefit Plan (SHBP) coverage as an active employee, SHBP may require you to terminate retiree coverage and enroll into plans available for active employees. Contact the SHBP for details.

Who is responsible for notifying SHBP if I return to work in a Benefits Eligible Position?

Your employer is responsible for notifying SHBP.  Upon your return to work in a benefits eligible position, your Employer should immediately transmit your eligibility data, indicating whether you are benefits eligible to SHBP the same as they would for a New Hire.

Who is responsible for notifying SHBP when I terminate my employment as a rehired retiree?

You are responsible for notifying SHBP Member Services via email at SHBPservicecenter@adp.com or by phone at 800-610-1863 within 31 days of your last day of work.

PSERS Service Retirees

If you are a service retiree under PSERS and return to work for a PSERS employer before you have reached age 65, you must resume contributing membership in PSERS.

Benefits will be suspended during employment or until attainment of age 65. At or after age 65 you have the option to either:

• Continue contributing and accruing additional credits
• Stop contributing and resume a recalculated retirement benefit based on all credits

Note: This restriction will not be applied to any retiree who entered the employment situation prior to May 11, 2009.

If you are a service retiree under PSERS and return to work for a PSERS employer after reaching age 65 you have the option to either:

• Continue contributing and accruing additional credits
• Stop contributing and resume a recalculated retirement benefit based on all credits

You must complete an election form indicating your selection regarding the above options

Note: This restriction will not be applied to any retiree who entered the employment situation prior to May 24, 2010.

Rehired Retiree FAQ: PSERS

Will returning to employment outside of the state affect my retirement benefit?

No.

When can I return to work in a PSERS-covered position the state after I retire?

A 30-day break in service is required before you can return to work in a PSERS-covered position.

Can I return to work in a PSERS-covered position?

Yes, you can return to work full time in a PSERS-covered position. If you are less than age 65, your monthly benefit will cease and you will become an active, contributing member of PSERS. If you are over age 65, you will make an election to either keep your benefit while working or become a contributing member of PSERS once again.

Will I accrue more service if I become a contributing member of PSERS again?

Yes, you will accrue additional service and submit a new retirement application when you decide to re-retire.

Should I disclose my retiree status to my employer?

Yes, it is your responsibility to disclose your retiree status to your employer.

How much can I work?

There are no hour limitations for PSERS retirees who return to work. You can work as many hours as you would like.

What will happen to my health insurance?

If your re-employment makes you eligible for State Health Benefit Plan (SHBP) coverage as an active employee, SHBP may require you to terminate retiree coverage and enroll into plans available for active employees. Contact the SHBP for details.

Who is responsible for notifying SHBP if I return to work in a Benefits Eligible Position?

Your employer is responsible for notifying SHBP.  Upon your return to work in a benefits eligible position, your Employer should immediately transmit your eligibility data, indicating whether you are benefits eligible to SHBP the same as they would for a New Hire.

Who is responsible for notifying SHBP when I terminate my employment as a rehired retiree?

You are responsible for notifying SHBP Member Services via email at SHBPservicecenter@adp.com or by phone at 800-610-1863 within 31 days of your last day of work.

Disability Retirees

If you were a disability retiree under ERS, JRS, or PSERS, there are earnings limitations on your retirement. You are limited to the difference between your monthly salary at the time of your retirement and your gross monthly retirement benefit. Earnings limitations are addressed in O.C.G.A. 47-2-125.