Employment After Retirement
The rules for returning to work are different for TRS and ORP retirees, as well as retirees from The University of Texas System or other state institutions and agencies. In addition, how your health benefits coordinate with Medicare will differ.
If you retire from the University through TRS or ORP and then return to work, you’ll continue receiving benefits as a retiree, but will never be eligible again to enroll in benefits as an active employee. You cannot contribute to TRS or ORP programs due to your retired status, but you are still eligible to contribute to the UTSaver Voluntary Retirement Programs.
TRS Retirees
If you are a TRS participant who plans to work in Texas public education after retiring, you should carefully review all requirements that apply to your situation to ensure that you do not revoke your retirement or lose monthly annuity payments by virtue of working in excess of allowable limits set by TRS. Human Resources strongly encourages TRS retirees to review the TRS Employment After Retirement Brochure (PDF) provided by TRS and to contact TRS directly if considering returning to work.
ORP Retirees
Texas ORP retirees may return to work at any time without restrictions on employment.
Longevity
Longevity pay is provided to full-time employees, excluding academic employees, of institutions of higher education and temporary workers. For return-to-work retirees, certain exemptions apply. The information in the following table explains the eligibility requirements.
| If retired from state employment… | and the retiree returned to state employment… | then, effective September 1, 2005, the employee… |
|---|---|---|
| on or after June 1, 2005, | at any time, | is ineligible for longevity pay. |
| before June 1, 2005, | before September 1, 2005, | will be eligible for longevity pay, but that longevity pay is then limited to the amount of longevity pay the employee was entitled to receive immediately before September 1, 2005. |
| before June 1, 2005, | on or after September 1, 2005, | is ineligible for longevity pay. |
| before June 1, 2005, | before September 1, 2005, but later terminates employment and returns a second time, | is no longer eligible for longevity pay. |
Paid Vacation Time Off
Paid vacation time off is provided to return-to-work retirees assigned to work at least 20 hours per week for at least 4.5 months. This excludes faculty and students employed in positions that require student status. Paid vacation time off accruals for return-to-work retirees are based on retirement and rehire dates. An employee who retired from state employment on or after June 1, 2005, accrues annual leave based only on state service earned after retirement. The employee’s state service earned before retirement is not taken into account. Return-to-work retirees are not required to re-establish the six months continuous service in order to take paid vacation time off.
| If retired from state employment… | and the retiree returned to state employment… | then, effective September 1, 2005, the employee… |
|---|---|---|
| on or after June 1, 2005, | at any time | will accrue paid vacation time off based on months of service AFTER retirement. |
| before June 1, 2005, | before September 1, 2005, | will accrue paid vacation time off based on total state service. |
| before June 1, 2005, | on or after September 1, 2005, | will accrue paid vacation time off based on months of service AFTER retirement. |