Thinking of Returning to Work? Know the Rules to Protect Your Benefit

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Attention retirees and soon-to-be retirees! Did you know there are limits on where and how much you can work after retirement without affecting your PSRS/PEERS benefits? Make sure you understand the rules before returning to work. Here are some basics: 

  • You can work for employers that don’t participate in PSRS/PEERS as much as you want in retirement. This work won’t affect your retirement benefit.
  • Employers that do participate in PSRS/PEERS — called “covered employers” — include most Missouri K-12 schools, community colleges, and some educational associations.
  • If you return to work for a covered employer and want to keep your full retirement benefit, there may be yearly limits on how many hours you can work or how much money you can earn.
  • Your working-after-retirement limits depend on whether your work is part-time or full-time, and whether it requires a DESE teaching certificate. Note: Different limits apply under Critical Shortage Employment and the temporary waiver for working after retirement as a substitute teacher.
  • Work performed for a covered employer through a staffing agency may also count toward your work limit.
  • Your employer will tell PSRS/PEERS when you return to work. After that, we will send you information about your specific limits.
  • We’ll also send you a Working After Retirement Record to help you track your hours and earnings each month. Check with your employer to make sure you are tracking your work the same way.
  • If you go over your work limit, you may have to pay money back to PSRS/PEERS.

For more details, visit these Working After Retirement pages:

© 2025 PSRS/PEERS, all rights reserved.
© 2025 PSRS/PEERS, all rights reserved.