Working After Disability Retirement

Prior to age 60, disability payments will stop if you are employed in any capacity by a PSRS-covered employer, or if you work for a non-covered employer and your compensation is considered a livelihood by the PSRS/PEERS Board of Trustees ($18,000 per year).

Once you reach age 60, you can work for a non-covered employer with no effect on your benefit. At age 60, you may also work part-time or as a temporary-substitute for a PSRS-covered employer for up to 550 hours per school year or earn up to 50% of the annual compensation payable for the position, given your level of experience and education, with no effect on your benefit. If you exceed either of these limits or return to full-time service, your benefit will be put on hold until the employment ends or a new school year begins. See the section of your Member Handbook entitled, "Working After Service Retirement" for more information.

The Trial Return to Work
Prior to age 60, you can request to return to work full-time on a trial basis without putting your disability benefit in jeopardy. Trial return to work must be approved in advance by PSRS, and is normally for a school year or 12-month calendar year period. While you are working on a trial return to work basis, your disability benefit is put on hold. If you are unable to complete the full time frame of the trial period, PSRS will request a medical examination to determine your disability status. Medical confirmation of disability means you can resume receipt of your disability benefits, effective the month after the termination of your trial employment. If you successfully complete the trial return to work period, contact PSRS to determine the status of your membership.

The "Critical Shortage" Full-Time Employment Exception
Disability retirees age 60 or older may work full-time for up to two years at school districts that have declared a critical shortage of employees, without losing PSRS benefits. See the section of your Member Handbook entitled, "The Critical Shortage Full-Time Employment Exception" for more information.

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	Working After Disability Retirement Prior to age 60, disability payments will stop if you are employed in any capacity by a PSRS-covered employer, or if you work for a non-covered employer and your compensation is considered a livelihood by the PSRS/PEERS Board of Trustees ($18,000 per year). Once you reach age 60, you can work for a non-covered employer with no effect on your benefit. At age 60, you may also work part-time or as a temporary-substitute for a PSRS-covered employer for up to 550 hours per school year or earn up to 50% of the annual compensation payable for the position, given your level of experience and education, with no effect on your benefit. If you exceed either of these limits or return to full-time service, your benefit will be put on hold until the employment ends or a new school year begins. See the section of your Member Handbook entitled, "Working After Service Retirement" for more information. The Trial Return to Work Prior to age 60, you can request to return to work full-time on a trial basis without putting your disability benefit in jeopardy. Trial return to work must be approved in advance by PSRS, and is normally for a school year or 12-month calendar year period. While you are working on a trial return to work basis, your disability benefit is put on hold. If you are unable to complete the full time frame of the trial period, PSRS will request a medical examination to determine your disability status. Medical confirmation of disability means you can resume receipt of your disability benefits, effective the month after the termination of your trial employment. If you successfully complete the trial return to work period, contact PSRS to determine the status of your membership. The "Critical Shortage" Full-Time Employment Exception Disability retirees age 60 or older may work full-time for up to two years at school districts that have declared a critical shortage of employees, without losing PSRS benefits. See the section of your Member Handbook entitled, "The Critical Shortage Full-Time Employment Exception" for more information.