The rules
| You retired | Hours for an Oregon PERS employer |
|---|---|
| At normal retirement age, or with 30 years | No limit |
| Early, after a full 6-month break | No limit |
| Early, no break: Tier One / Tier Two | Under 1,040 a calendar year |
| Early, no break: OPSRP | Under 600 a calendar year |
Work for a private or non-Oregon PERS employer is unlimited. For a Oregon PERS employer, from Jan. 1, 2020 through Dec. 31, 2034 (SB 1049, HB 2296) retirees who retired at normal retirement age or with 30 years may work unlimited hours and keep the pension (no new benefits accrue). Early retirees get unlimited hours only after a complete six-month break from all Oregon PERS employment after the retirement date; otherwise Tier One/Tier Two are limited to under 1,040 hours a calendar year and OPSRP to under 600. Exceeding the limit cancels the retirement. Employers may set their own limits; Social Security earnings limits may also apply before full retirement age. Oregon PERS webpage 'SB 1049 and HB 2296 Changes: Work After Retirement'; Oregon PERS Work After Retirement for General Service flowchart (Oct. 2023), p. 1; Oregon PERS Tier One/Tier Two Preretirement Guide (June 2026), p. 5; Oregon PERS OPSRP Preretirement Guide (June 2026), p. 7; Oregon PERS Employer Guide Ch. 1 (Sept. 2026), pp. 29-30
Whether you retired early depends on your program's full-benefit age; see early retirement. If you get Social Security before its full retirement age, its own income limit also applies; see Social Security. To see the pension you'd be working alongside, use the calculator.
Hour limits for early retirees without a six-month break: Employer Guide says no more than 1,039.9 (Tier One/Tier Two) and 599.9 (OPSRP) hours a year; the work-after-retirement page says fewer than 1,040 and 600; the flowchart says '1,040-hour limit' and '600-hour limit'. Same rule, recorded as 'under 1,040 / under 600'. Oregon PERS Employer Guide Ch. 1 (Sept. 2026), p. 30; Oregon PERS webpage 'SB 1049 and HB 2296 Changes: Work After Retirement'; Oregon PERS Work After Retirement flowchart (Oct. 2023)
What the sources say
- Through December 31, 2034, if you retired at normal retirement age (or with 30 years) you can go back to work for a Oregon PERS employer for unlimited hours and keep your pension.Oregon PERS webpage 'SB 1049 and HB 2296 Changes: Work After Retirement'
- Early retirees get unlimited hours only after a full six-month break from Oregon PERS employment; before that, Tier One/Tier Two must stay under 1,040 hours a year and OPSRP under 600.Oregon PERS Work After Retirement for General Service flowchart (Oct. 2023), p. 1; Oregon PERS Employer Guide Ch. 1 (Sept. 2026), p. 30
Questions
Can I go back to work for a school district?
Yes. If you retired at normal retirement age or with 30 years, you can work unlimited hours for an Oregon PERS employer through December 31, 2034 and keep your pension.
I retired early. What's my limit?
Until you've had a full 6-month break from all Oregon PERS employment: under 1,040 hours a calendar year (Tier One/Tier Two) or under 600 (OPSRP). After the break, no limit.
What if I go over?
Your retirement can be canceled. Employers can also set their own limits.
Does my pension grow while I work?
No. You don't earn new benefits while working as a retiree.
Source: Oregon PERS Tier One/Tier Two and OPSRP Preretirement Guides, Published June 2026, Oregon PERS Tier One/Tier Two Preretirement Guide (June 2026) p. 5; Oregon PERS OPSRP Preretirement Guide (June 2026) p. 7; Oregon PERS Employer Guide Ch. 1 (Sept. 2026) pp. 29, 30; Oregon PERS Work After Retirement flowchart (Oct. 2023) p. 1; Oregon PERS webpages: SB 1049 and HB 2296 Changes: Work After Retirement. Last reviewed .