After a six-month break, if a TSERS member returns to work with a TSERS employer on a part-time, interim, temporary, or contractual basis in a position not eligible for TSERS membership (see “Retirement System Membership Requirements”), the member will be subject to earnings restrictions of the greater of the following:

• 50% of your gross pre-retirement salary (excluding termination payments) or
• $40,980 (2024 amount)

The dollar figure in the second restriction is adjusted annually according to the Consumer Price Index, which is a national measure of increase in the cost of living from one year to the next. These earnings restrictions apply for the 12 months immediately following retirement and for each calendar year following the year of retirement.

If the retired member plans to work under the earnings limitations with an employer participating in TSERS, the member should contact the Retirement Systems Division before starting the new job in order to have the exact earnable amount calculated.

If the member exceeds his or her earnings limitations, the member’s retirement benefit will be suspended the first day of the month following the month in which the member exceeds the limit for the remainder of the calendar year. The member’s retirement payment will start again on January 1 of the year after his or her benefit is suspended. If the member’s earnings exceed the allowable amount in the month of December, the member’s benefit will not be suspended.

If the member’s retirement benefit is suspended, his or her State Health Plan retiree group coverage also must be suspended. If the member’s benefit is suspended and later reinstated, his or her State Health Plan retiree group coverage will not be reinstated retroactively.