Latest Headlines

Retirees Working in Retirement

During the 2008 session, the Georgia General Assembly passed a piece of legislation, Act No. 770 (SB 327), that may help address the need for qualified educational professionals in Georgia’s public schools and allow retired educators to start a new chapter in their lives by returning to the workforce and continuing to receive the retirement benefits they worked so hard to attain.

Effective July 1, 2008, TRS retirees who retired under a normal service retirement may return to work and continue receiving full retirement benefits provided that they have been retired for a minimum of 12 months.  Normal service retirement is defined as having at least 30 years of service credit or being age 60 with at least 10 years of service credit.  All previous return to work provisions regarding full-time teaching in a TRS covered position in retirement have been superseded.

Local school systems may employ a retiree as a full-time classroom teacher, principal, superintendent, media specialist or counselor.  The new legislation is very specific in defining a classroom teacher as a certified teacher (pre-K thru grade 12), employed by the public school system with the sole responsibility of academic instruction in a classroom.  Principals cannot return to work in the same positions in the same schools from which they retired and superintendents cannot return to work in the same position in the same school system from which they retired.  Under the provisions of this legislation, extracurricular employment in addition to classroom teaching (i.e. coaching, athletic director, band director) will not be eligible.  Regional educational service agencies may still employ a retired teacher as an improvement specialist.

A school system employing a retiree must pay all employee and employer contributions to TRS as if the retiree was an active member of TRS.  The retiree will not be eligible to accrue any additional employment benefits or receive any further creditable service as a result of re- employment.

TRS retirees may still return to work in less than half-time (49% or less) positions since these positions are not eligible for TRS membership.

Questions regarding this new return to work legislation should be directed to one of the TRS Customer Service Representatives by calling (404) 352-6500 or (800) 352-0650.