A retired Tier I member may work in a TRS-covered position for 120 days or 600 hours each school year and not lose benefits. A member's benefits are suspended if the limit is exceeded. The 120 days/600 hours limit is in effect through June 30, 2021.
For post-retirement employment purposes, the Illinois Pension Code equates one full day with five hours. If an annuitant works only full days (five or more hours), each day is counted toward the 120-day limitation. If an annuitant works all partial days or a combination of full and partial days, the time worked would be counted toward the 600-hours limitation.
Each full day is counted as five hours even if more than five hours were worked that day. For partial days worked, the actual number of clock hours would be counted.
Example
| Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Total Hours Worked |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 hours worked | 3 hours worked | 0 hours worked | 7 hours worked (counted as 5 hours for full day) |
0 hours worked | 8 hours counted toward 600-hour limitation |
It is not permissible for an annuitant to combine partial days into full day equivalents to use the 120-day limit when the 600-hour limit applies. For example, an annuitant who works half days (3.5 hours) per day cannot work 180 days and count 90 days towards the post-retirement limits. Time worked must be counted against the 600-hour limit.
Only work that requires teacher certification (including summer school and substitute teaching) is subject to the days or hours post-retirement employment limitation. All time that a teacher or administrator is required to be present for duties requiring teacher certification is subject to the limitation. For teachers, this includes preparation periods and time before, between, and after classes. For administrators, this includes all time that is required to be spent on administrative duties, such as attendance at board meetings and contract negotiations.
Extra duties that do not require teacher certification (e.g., coaching, lunchroom supervision, chaperoning) are not subject to the 120 days or 600 hours post-retirement employment limitation.