Are you employing a retired teacher?

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Working After Retirement: TFFR retiree employment

Is your school district employing a retired teacher?

Retired teachers may return to Teachers' Fund for Retirement (TFFR) covered employment with limitations: 

1) General Rule - Annual Hour Limit

• May return for a maximum number of hours in a fiscal year. Limit is based on the length of employment contract (i.e., 9-month contract cannot exceed 700 hours).
• Requires a 30-day waiting period from TFFR retirement date.
• Retiree has received first TFFR retirement benefit.

2) Exception A - Critical Shortage Area

• May exceed the Annual Hour Limit if retiree returns to teach in a Critical Shortage Area. (Critical Shortage Areas are determined by ESPB.)
• Requires a 1-year waiting period from TFFR retirement date.
• Retiree has received first TFFR retirement benefit.

3) Exception B - Benefit Suspension and Recalculation

Retirees who return to TFFR-covered employment will have their benefit suspended if: 

• They have not met the required waiting period.
• Their contracted hours exceed the General Rule - Annual Hour Limit.
• The position is not in a Critical Shortage Area.

Learn more, download the Working After Retirement brochure. 

Employers must notify RIO of a retiree's return to work

Within 30 days of a retiree's return to TFFR-covered employment, employers are required to complete and return a TFFR Retired Member Employment Notification form. Notification must be made each year the retiree is employed. Failure to notify the Retirement and Investment Office (RIO) can result in a $250 penalty to the employer and the loss of one month's annuity benefit for the retiree.

Note: These rules relate to TFFR retirees only. Refer to our Employer Guide for additional reporting information. 

Questions?

If you need assistance, contact RIO's Retirement Services Division at 701-328-9885, 800-952-2970, or rio@nd.gov.