Senate Bill 1049 Changes to PERS: Work After Retirement
Changes effective January 1, 2020
This information may not apply to all members and may not reflect your individual situation.
Are you a PERS retiree and want to work for a PERS-participating employer?
Are you already working as a PERS retiree and want to know about Senate Bill 1049 changes?
Senate Bill 1049 simplifies the rules for “Work After Retirement.” Starting in 2020, there are no limitations*** on the number of hours most retirees can work for a PERS-participating employer and still receive their PERS pension benefit.
PERS retiree means a Tier One, Tier Two, or OPSRP member who has officially retired from PERS and is receiving their PERS pension benefit. This includes retirees who took a lump-sum pension benefit.
Note that SB 1049 generally lifts the statutory hour limitations*** if you are employed by a PERS-participating employer as a PERS retiree and retired at "normal retirement age."
PERS is not involved in employment decisions between employers and employees. Your employer may have other limitations on your work hours. Please consult with your employer’s HR office about any polices related to working after retirement.
2020-2024 – SB 1049 Changes: Work After Retirement Limitations Removed for Most Retirees
From January 1, 2020, through December 31, 2024, most*** retirees may work for a PERS-participating employer for an unlimited number of hours while continuing to receive their pension benefit. Whether you are hired by a PERS-participating employer as a PERS retiree or not is between you and your employer. Read information for employers.
If you are employed as a PERS retiree for a PERS-participating employer in 2020-2024 (whether hired before, or during that time), you:
- May continue to receive your PERS retirement benefits (but not accrue any new retirement benefits);
- Receive wages from your employer; and
- Have no limitations*** to the number of hours you can work. Restrictions may apply if you retired early
from PERS, or if you are receiving Social
Security retirement benefits and have not reached “full retirement age”
under Social Security. Your employer may have other limitations (see below).
Note: SB 1049 does not impact disability retirements.
View these flowcharts to see if you can work unlimited hours if you are employed as a retiree:
Before SB 1049 Changes: Existing Rules Apply to Some Retirees
The existing, pre-SB 1049
limitations and exceptions continue to apply to early retirees that do not
have a six-month break.
- If you are a Tier
One/Tier Two early retiree without a six-month break, you
may be employed by a PERS-participating employer and continue to receive your
retirement benefits as long as you do not work 1,040 hours or more in
a calendar year. Learn more and see exceptions to
this rule.
- If you are an OPSRP early
retiree without a six-month break, you may be employed by a PERS-participating employer
and continue to receive your retirement benefits as long as you do not
work 600 hours or
more in a calendar year. Learn more.
Note: SB 1049 does not impact disability retirements.
***Note: You must have retired at or after “normal retirement age” (Tier One/Tier Two, OPSRP) or with 30 years of service (25 years for most Police & Fire members) to be eligible for unlimited retiree hours under SB 1049.
If you retire/retired earlier than normal retirement age, you must have a complete break in all PERS-participating employment for at least six months in order to be eligible for unlimited retiree hours under SB 1049. Otherwise, the existing
Tier One/Tier Two and OPSRP limits of working less than 1,040 and 600
hours, respectively, apply.
If
you are receiving Social Security
benefits and have not reached “full retirement age” (FRA) under Social
Security, the Social Security Administration and PERS have additional
limitations on your employment. If you have not reached FRA, you may need to
limit your hours to stay within the income allowed under the annual Social
Security income limits.
Your employer may have other limitations on the number of hours you can work. Any decision on terms of employment is between you and your employer.
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, PERS will provide documents on this page in an alternate format upon request. To request this, contact PERS at 888-320-7377 or TTY 503-603-7766.