Going back full time means coming out of retirement, which can change your pension; see one more year. Retirees who go back pay the Medicare tax but not Social Security (see Social Security). Estimate your pension in the calculator.
Following the school year in which you last contributed, you may work in a TRS-covered position up to 120 paid days or 600 paid hours per school year (through June 30, 2029). Full days (5+ hours) count as days; partial days count actual hours, full days as 5 hours. Only work requiring licensure counts. Exceeding the limit suspends the annuity and returns you to active membership; exceeding it in the first school year after retirement, or teaching in the same school year you retired, requires repaying all annuity payments. Tier 1 Guide pp. 24-25, 120 days/600 hours limitation; Exceeding the limitations
Before you go back
Must terminate active service: formally resign, and wait 30 calendar days before post-retirement teaching for the same employer. Prearranged post-retirement employment is not allowed. Tier 1 Guide p. 17, Retirement annuity: Eligibility; Tier 2 Guide p. 18, Eligibility
Jobs with no limit
Colleges, universities, private schools, non-TRS positions in a district, and public schools outside Illinois: no limit. Tier 1 Guide pp. 23-24, Employment limitation
Shortage areas
Retiree Return to Work Program: retirees teaching in approved subject shortage areas are not limited to 120 days/600 hours, through June 30, 2027. Tier 1 Guide p. 25, Retiree Return to Work Program
Extra Tier 2 rules
Tier 2: benefits are suspended if you accept full-time employment covered by another reciprocal Illinois system; if you first became a Tier 2 member on or after Jan. 1, 2012, benefits are suspended if you accept a contractual position with the employer you retired from. Tier 2 Guide p. 23, Limits that begin on your first day of retirement
If you go back full time
Return to active service: under 1 year, retirement reinstated; 1-3 years, recomputed under law at first retirement; 3+ years, recomputed under current law. Tier 1 Guide p. 25, Re-entry into active membership
What the guides say
- After the school year you retire, you can work in a TRS-covered job up to 120 paid days or 600 paid hours a school year without losing your pension. This limit runs through June 30, 2029.Tier 1 Guide p. 24; Tier 2 Guide p. 23
- You cannot work in a TRS-covered job in the same school year you retired, and you must wait 30 days before working for your last employer.Tier 1 Guide p. 24
- Going over the limit in your first school year after retiring, or teaching in the same year you retired, means repaying every pension payment since retirement.Tier 1 Guide p. 24, Exceeding the limitations
- There is no limit on work at colleges, private schools, out-of-state public schools, or non-licensed district jobs such as bus driving.Tier 1 Guide pp. 23-24
- Retirees approved to teach in a subject shortage area can work a full year without the limit, through June 30, 2027.Tier 1 Guide p. 25, Retiree Return to Work Program
- Tier 2: your pension stops if you take a full-time job covered by another Illinois reciprocal system, or (if you joined on or after Jan. 1, 2012) a contractual job with the employer you retired from.Tier 2 Guide p. 23
Questions
Can I substitute teach after I retire from TRS Illinois?
Yes, starting the school year after you retire, up to 120 paid days or 600 paid hours a school year in a TRS Illinois-covered job (through June 30, 2029).
What if I go over the limit?
Your pension stops and you become an active member again. Going over in your first school year after retiring means paying back all the pension you got.
Is there a limit on other jobs?
No limit at colleges, universities, private schools, public schools outside Illinois, or district jobs that don't need a teaching license.
Source: TRS Tier 1 and Tier 2 Member Guides, September 2026, Tier 1 Guide pp. 17, 23, 24, 25; Tier 2 Guide pp. 18, 23, 24. Last reviewed .