The Member Handbook (Nov. 8, 2024) and Retiree Handbook (Feb. 26, 2026) require a 90-day break before returning to covered work (and 90 days after the next school year starts for educators). H.B. 4073 (2026) cut this to 30 days effective July 1, 2026 and added the 80%-of-salary option; Regulation 34 (amended eff. July 1, 2026) and the Hybrid handbook (May 1, 2026) say 30 days. We follow the law: 30 days for work on or after July 1, 2026, 90 days before.
Member Handbook (2024), pp. 52-53; Retiree Handbook (2026), p. 20; H.B. 4073 (2026), §§ 19, 21, pp. 71-77, 82; Mississippi PERS Board Regulation 34 (amended July 1, 2026), §§ 102-106
The waiting period
No PERS retiree may work for a covered employer (including as a contract worker, independent contractor or volunteer) until retired at least 30 consecutive days from the effective date of retirement. Miss. Code Ann. § 25-11-127(1)(a) as amended by H.B. 4073 (2026), § 19, pp. 71-72 (effective July 1, 2026 per § 21, p. 82); Mississippi PERS Board Regulation 34 (amended July 1, 2026), §§ 102, 106; Hybrid Plan Handbook (2026), p. 42
Before July 1, 2026 the break was at least 90 consecutive calendar days. Member Handbook (2024), p. 52; Retiree Handbook (2026), p. 20
A school employee on a less-than-12-month contract who retires at the end of a school year isn't considered separated from service for a return to a covered educational institution until 30 (formerly 90) consecutive calendar days after the start of the next school year. Mississippi PERS Board Regulation 34 (amended July 1, 2026), § 106.2; Hybrid Plan Handbook (2026), p. 43; Member Handbook (2024), p. 53 (90 days)
There must be no pre-arranged agreement to return; otherwise the retirement is void and benefits must be repaid. Member Handbook (2024), pp. 52-53; Mississippi PERS Board Regulation 34, § 106.1
| Retire | First day back |
|---|---|
| March 1, 2026 | May 30, 2026 |
| June 1, 2026 | July 1, 2026 |
| July 1, 2026 | July 31, 2026 |
| June 1, 2027end of school year; next year starts August 5, 2027 | September 4, 2027 |
Our engine: 90 days for work before July 1, 2026, 30 days from then on, counting your retirement date as day 1.
The law says 'retired for not less than 30 consecutive days from his or her effective date of retirement'. It's not explicit whether the effective date is day 1.
The effective date is day 1, so the first allowed day is 30 days after it (for a July 1 retirement, July 31). For work starting before July 1, 2026 we use 90 days.
What would settle it: A Mississippi PERS Form 4B instruction or the 'Thinking of Returning to Work?' guide.
How much you can work
Each fiscal year (July 1 - June 30), one of these limits applies to all your work for covered employers:
- Half time: Up to one-half of the normal working days or hours for the position in a fiscal year, for no more than one-half of the position's salary. Miss. Code Ann. § 25-11-127(4)(a) (H.B. 4073 (2026), § 19, p. 73); Mississippi PERS Board Regulation 34, § 103.1.a
- 25% of your average compensation: Any schedule in a fiscal year that earns no more than 25% of the average compensation used to figure your benefit. On $60,000 average compensation that's $15,000 a year. Miss. Code Ann. § 25-11-127(4)(b) (H.B. 4073 (2026), § 19, p. 73); Mississippi PERS Board Regulation 34, § 103.1.b
- Up to 80% of the job's salary (July 1, 2026 until July 1, 2036): Any period agreed with the employer at no more than 80% of the position's salary, under a written agreement signed after the 30-day separation. Not for elected officials, K-12 superintendents or university/community college administrators, and not for anyone whose benefit was actuarially reduced (other than for the PLSO or an optional form). The employer pays both employer and employee contributions; the retiree earns no additional benefits. Miss. Code Ann. § 25-11-127(4)(c), (5) (H.B. 4073 (2026), § 19, pp. 73-75); Mississippi PERS Board Regulation 34 (amended July 1, 2026), §§ 103.1.c, 104, 105, 107.3
A reemployed retiree makes one election per fiscal year (days/hours limit, or an earnings limit) that applies to all covered employment. Mississippi PERS Board Regulation 34, § 105; Member Handbook (2024), p. 54
You and the employer must notify Mississippi PERS in writing within five days of reemployment (Form 4B), and again each new fiscal year. Member Handbook (2024), p. 52; Miss. Code Ann. § 25-11-127(4) (H.B. 4073 (2026), § 19, p. 75)
Retired teachers in shortage areas
Separate program for retired public school teachers with at least 30 years (or 25 years as of July 1, 2024) who hold a standard Mississippi license: they may teach in a critical-shortage district or subject while keeping the benefit, for up to 5 years total. The district may pay up to 125% of the salary schedule amount, of which no more than 50% goes to the teacher as salary and 50% to PERS. The teacher contributes but earns no additional benefits. 30-day (formerly 90-day) separation. Teachers using this program can't also use the § 25-11-127 limits. Miss. Code Ann. § 25-11-126 as amended by H.B. 4073 (2026), § 20, pp. 77-82; § 25-11-127(7) (p. 77)
Going back full time
Returning full time stops the benefit; you contribute again. If the reemployment exceeds six months, the benefit is recalculated at the next retirement (a new option and beneficiary may be chosen). COLA then counts all full fiscal years in retirement. Member Handbook (2024), p. 54; Miss. Code Ann. § 25-11-127(2) (H.B. 4073 (2026), § 19, p. 72)
Elected officials and disability retirees
A member at least 59 1/2 in a municipal or county elected office may retire and stay in office without a break, waiving the salary or taking up to 25% of average compensation. Mississippi PERS Board Regulation 34, § 103.2; Retiree Handbook (2026), p. 22
Disability retirees may earn no more than the difference between their pre-retirement average compensation and their benefit (excluding COLA) until the benefit converts to service retirement. Member Handbook (2024), p. 40; Retiree Handbook (2026), p. 16
- From July 1, 2026 you must be retired at least 30 days before working again for a Mississippi PERS employer (it was 90 days before then). A teacher who retires at the end of a school year must wait until 30 days after the next school year starts to go back to a school.Miss. Code Ann. § 25-11-127(1) as amended by H.B. 4073 (2026), § 19; Mississippi PERS Board Regulation 34 (amended July 1, 2026), § 106; Hybrid Plan Handbook (2026), pp. 42-43
- While drawing your benefit you can work (each fiscal year) up to half the normal days or hours for half the position's salary, or any schedule earning no more than 25% of your average compensation. From July 1, 2026 to July 1, 2036 there is also an option for any amount of time at no more than 80% of the position's salary, but not for superintendents, college administrators, elected officials, or anyone whose benefit was reduced for early retirement.Miss. Code Ann. § 25-11-127(4)-(5) (H.B. 4073 (2026), § 19, pp. 73-75); Mississippi PERS Board Regulation 34 (amended July 1, 2026), § 103
- You and your employer must tell Mississippi PERS within five days of going back to work, and again each fiscal year. There can't be any prearranged agreement to return.Member Handbook (2024), pp. 52-53
- Retired teachers with at least 30 years (or 25 years as of July 1, 2024) can teach in a critical-shortage district or subject for up to 5 years while keeping their benefit, under a separate program.Miss. Code Ann. § 25-11-126 as amended by H.B. 4073 (2026), § 20, pp. 77-82
- The Member Handbook (2024) and Retiree Handbook (Feb. 2026) still describe the 90-day wait; the 30-day rule comes from the 2026 law and later Mississippi PERS publications.Member Handbook (2024), p. 52; Retiree Handbook (2026), p. 20; H.B. 4073 (2026), § 21, p. 82
Questions
How long must I wait to work after retiring from Mississippi PERS?
For work on or after July 1, 2026: at least 30 consecutive days from your retirement date (H.B. 4073). Before then it was 90 days. A teacher who retires at the end of a school year waits until 30 days after the next school year starts to go back to a school.
How much can a Mississippi PERS retiree earn?
Each fiscal year, either half the normal days or hours of the job for no more than half its salary, or any schedule earning no more than 25% of your average compensation. From July 1, 2026 until July 1, 2036 there's also an option to work any amount of time at up to 80% of the job's salary, with exceptions.
Source: Mississippi PERS Member Handbook, Revised November 8, 2024, pp. 40, 52, 52-53, 53, 54. Also: Hybrid Plan Handbook (2026); Retiree Handbook (2026); H.B. 4073 (2026); Mississippi PERS Board Regulation 34; Miss. Code Ann. §§ 25-11-126, 25-11-127. Last reviewed .