Crash Course in Returning to Work after Retirement
Thinking about returning to work? It is important for you to know if your monthly pension benefit will be affected.
Termination and Reemployment Rules
Before receiving a benefit payment from MOSERS, IRS rules require a "bona fide termination" of your employment. For purposes of MOSERS Board Rules, a "bona fide termination" occurs when:
- You have completely severed employment;
- You have not entered into a prearranged agreement (written or oral), prior to retirement, with the State of Missouri or any MOSERS-covered employer for subsequent employment on any basis (full-time, part-time, or other); and
- You are not subsequently employed with the State of Missouri or any MOSERS-covered employer on any basis (full-time, part-time, or other) within 30 days after your employment with your prior employer has ended.
Non-Benefit-Eligible Position
Once retired, you may work for any employer (other than the state of Missouri or any MOSERS covered employer) and continue to receive your MOSERS monthly pension payment.
Upon meeting the termination and reemployment rules, you may return to work for the state of Missouri and continue receiving your monthly pension payment, as long as your position is not a MOSERS or MoDOT and Patrol Employees' Retirement System (MPERS) benefit-eligible position.
Contracted employees working directly under a private firm are not typically classified as state employees. Such employment should not interfere with your ability to receive your MOSERS benefit, however, we recommend that you contact the employer to confirm that anyone employed as such would not be considered a state employee.
Benefit-Eligible Position
If you return to work for the state of Missouri in a MOSERS or MPERS benefit-eligible position:
Your monthly pension payment will stop.*
- Any life insurance you retained through MOSERS as a retiree will end. You may re-elect life insurance through SEBES within 31 days of employment without proving insurability.
- Depending on various factors (your plan, how long you work, etc.), you may or may not earn additional credited service during reemployment.
- When you return to retirement status, your monthly pension payment will equal the amount you were receiving when you returned to work^ plus any additional benefit you may have earned during reemployment. You also may retain life insurance up to the maximum amount allowable, if applicable.
*Effective August 28, 2023, a retiree serving as a legislator or statewide elected official will not have their pension payment stopped.
^If you were receiving a temporary benefit with your initial pension payment, it will be payable only if you return to retirement status prior to age 62.