Employment After Retirement

You may retire at the end of your service time or due to disability, then return to work later in some capacity. If you choose to return to work for Texas public institutions, be sure to carefully review all requirements prior to applying.

Considerations for TRS Retirees

• Be sure to wait long enough before returning to work.
  If you fail to effectively terminate employment because you do not wait long enough to return to work or arrange your return to work, you could have your service or disability retirement revoked entirely.
• Don’t work more than the law allows.
  If you terminate employment properly and enter retirement effectively but work more than the law allows,you could lose monthly service or disability annuity payments for months in which your work exceeds the allowable limit.

Considerations for ORP Retirees

• Be careful how much you work if you return within 30 days.
  When retiring through ORP, you may return to state employment within 30 days, but if the position is at least 50% full time, you will lose any accumulated sick leave.
• Be mindful of exceptions for ORP Retirees returning to work for the state of Texas.
  Retirees who return to work for Texas public institutions of higher education are not eligible to participate in ORP, with a few exceptions:
  • ORP retirees who enrolled in retiree group insurance on or before June 1, 1997
  • If you elected ORP in lieu of TRS at the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB), terminated that employment and enrolled in the retiree group insurance, and then subsequently became employed in an ORP-eligible position at a Texas public institution of higher education
  • If you elected ORP in lieu of TRS, terminated employment with all Texas public education and enrolled in retiree group insurance as an ORP retiree from a Texas public institution of higher education, and subsequently become employed in an ORP-eligible position at the THECB
  • ORP retirees who enroll in retiree group insurance as a part of a phased retirement program.

Helpful Resources

• UT System Policy 220 See Section 8 – Retired Employees Returning to Active Employment
• TRS Employment After Retirement Brochure
• TRS Employment After Retirement (EAR) Limits (for Retirees) Contains available Working Hours and New Annuity Forfeiture Rules