Reminders if You Plan to Work After Retirement

A teacher sits on a desk and talks to five students who are seated on desks in a classroom, with a chalkboard and shelves in the background.

Working after retirement can be a great way to fill your time and continue growing professionally, but there are a few things you must do if you plan to work for a PERA employer to avoid impacting your PERA benefit.

Responsibilities of PERA Retirees:

You must end all PERA employment to retire.
You must ensure you do not provide services to a PERA employer in your effective month of retirement or else this results in a penalty of 5% for any day worked.
If you are working under a company name or tax identification number (TIN), you must complete the Disclosure of Retiree Status and Compensation form (available in the Working After Retirement booklet).
If you are working for a PERA employer, you are responsible for tracking the days/hours you work in the calendar year. You can work up to 110 days or 720 hours each year, whichever you reach first, without affecting your benefit. If you go over that amount, one month’s benefit will be reduced by 5% each day you go beyond the limit.

Reminder: Working over four hours a day is equivalent to one day of work, four or less should be tracked as hours worked. Be aware of the number of hours you work each day to keep an accurate account of how much you have worked that year.

Designated Employees

Under state law, employers in the School and Denver Public Schools (DPS) Divisions, as well as state colleges and universities, can designate a certain number of retirees who are permitted to work up to 140 days or 916 hours each year without a reduction to their PERA benefit. Under the School and DPS Divisions, there are also some critical shortage provisions that may allow retirees to be designated to work without a limit.

Designations are made by employers and must be submitted by September 1 of the applicable calendar year. If you are unsure if you are a designated retiree, confirm with your employer before going over 110 days or 720 hours of work to ensure your PERA benefit is not impacted.

If you have questions about working after retirement, visit the Working After Retirement webpage for more information or call PERA at 800-759-7372.

Critical Shortage Provision

The critical shortage provision for PERA retirees to work as a licensed substitute teacher without limits has not been extended. If you worked under this provision as a licensed substitute teacher, you are required to track your days/hours beginning July 1, 2025.