Are you planning to return to work after retirement? It’s important to note that returning to state employment may impact your pension benefits.

If you return to work for the state of Missouri in a MOSERS or MPERS benefit-eligible position:

• Your monthly pension payment will stop
• Depending on various factors (your plan, how long you work, etc.), you may or may not earn additional credited service during reemployment.
• When you retire again, 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.

Contracted employees working directly under a private firm are not typically classified as state employees. This type of employment should not interfere with your ability to receive your MOSERS benefit. Even so, we recommend that you contact the employer to confirm that a contract employee will not be considered a state employee.

* If you were receiving the temporary benefit, it will be payable only if you return to retirement status prior to age 62.

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.

After meeting the termination and reemployment rules, you may return to work 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 (i.e., a position that normally requires at least 1,040 hours a year).

See our Working After Retirement page or contact MOSERS if you have questions about the termination and reemployment rules.