Short answer: you can keep your VRS benefit while working for an employer that isn't in VRS, or in a part-time or temporary non-covered job with a VRS employer. Going back to the employer you retired from needs a bona fide break of one full calendar month first, with no job offer before you retire. Retired teachers can teach part time for their former division, and critical shortage positions have their own rules. See retiree health, the COLA and Social Security. Estimate your pension in the calculator.
Jobs where you keep your benefit
- An employer outside VRS. You can work for any employer that does not participate in VRS and keep receiving benefits.
- Part-time or temporary work for a VRS employer. Part-time (generally 80% or less of the hours of a comparable full-time position) or temporary non-covered work with a VRS employer is allowed. Returning to the employer you retired from requires a bona fide break of one full calendar month from the retirement date in a period you normally would work; without it the retirement is void and payments must be repaid. No offer of reemployment may be made before retirement. Each school division is a separate employer; the Commonwealth is one employer. Retiree Handbook p. 28, Non-Covered Employment; Full-Time and Part-Time Employment; Plan 1 Handbook p. 65
- Interim appointments. Interim appointments of up to six months are possible without interrupting benefits; the employer must discuss it with VRS first. Plan 1 Handbook p. 65, Interim Appointments
Teaching while retired
Retired teachers may work in a non-covered part-time teaching position with their former school division (or adjunct at a public college). Summer breaks do not satisfy the break for 9-, 10- or 11-month contracts. Examples: Aug 1 - May 31 contract retiring at the end of the contract, or Aug 20 - June 15 contract: earliest return October 1. Retiree Handbook p. 29, Teaching While Retired
Critical shortage positions
Full-time, temporary (non-covered) work for the current school year in a designated critical shortage position (teachers, principals, assistant principals; specialized student support positions; bus drivers) while keeping the benefit, but with no new service credit or member benefits. Requires: retirement from an eligible VRS position (not SPORS, VaLORS or JRS); a Virginia public school division hire into a designated position; a license for the position; a break of at least six consecutive months with no work (including coaching, substitute or volunteer) for any VRS employer; no reduced benefit under an early retirement incentive program; not retired under TBP/WTA with an enhanced benefit; not on disability retirement; no prearranged commitment. Plan 1 Handbook p. 65-66, Critical Shortage Positions; Retiree Handbook p. 30
Going back full time in a covered job
Returning to a covered position stops the benefit; you become an active member again and are generally rehired in the plan you retired from. On retiring again you must choose the same payout option; the benefit is recalculated with the added service and any AFC change; no second PLOP; prior COLAs do not resume. Plan 1 Handbook p. 67-68, Returning to Covered Employment; Retiring Again; Retiree Handbook p. 31; Va. Code § 51.1-155(B)(1)
Hybrid DC distributions stop if you return to covered employment (unless age 70 1/2 or older and eligible for an in-service distribution). Plan 1 Handbook p. 67, Defined Contribution Plan Distributions; Retiree Handbook p. 28
From the sources
- Going back to a full-time covered VRS job stops your benefit and makes you an active member again. When you retire again you must pick the same payout option, and you can't take a second PLOP.Plan 1 Handbook p. 67-68, Returning to Covered Employment; Retiring Again
- You can work part time (generally 80% or less of full-time hours) for a VRS employer and keep your benefit. Returning to your old employer requires a one-full-calendar-month break, and no job offer can be made before you retire.Retiree Handbook p. 28, Non-Covered Employment; Full-Time and Part-Time Employment
- Teaching while retired: summer doesn't count toward the break. Example: on an August 1 to May 31 contract, the earliest you can return part time to your old division is October 1.Retiree Handbook p. 29, Teaching While Retired
- Critical shortage positions: retired teachers, principals, assistant principals, specialized student support staff and bus drivers can return full time to a designated position for the school year and keep their benefit. This needs a six-month break with no VRS work at all, including substitute teaching or coaching.Plan 1 Handbook p. 65-66, Critical Shortage Positions
- The critical shortage law is scheduled to expire July 1, 2028.Va. Code § 51.1-155(B)(3)
- You aren't eligible for a critical shortage position if you retired under an early retirement incentive program with a reduced benefit, are on disability retirement, or had a prearranged return.Plan 1 Handbook p. 66
Questions
Can a retired Virginia teacher go back to work?
Yes, in several ways: for an employer outside VRS, part time or temporary in a non-covered job, or full time in a designated critical shortage position. Returning to a full-time covered job stops your benefit.
How long must I wait before going back to my old school division?
At least one full calendar month from your retirement date, during a period you'd normally work. Summer break doesn't count. A critical shortage position needs 6 months with no VRS work at all.
When does the critical shortage rule end?
State law says it expires July 1, 2028, unless it's renewed.
Source: VRS Plan 1, Plan 2 and Hybrid Retirement Plan Handbooks for Members, 07-2026 editions (VRSHB-1 07-2026, VRSHB-2 07-2026, HybridHB 07-2026), Plan 1 Handbook pp. 65, 65-66, 66, 67-68, 67. Also: Retiree Handbook pp. 28, 29, 30, 31; Code of Virginia § 51.1-155. Last reviewed .