Short answer: you can work again after you retire from WRS, but only after a valid termination and a break of at least 75 days. A WRS job big enough to count for WRS stops your annuity. See retiree health, taxes and annuity adjustments. Estimate your annuity.
The 75-day break
Retirees must have a valid termination and be separated from WRS employment for at least 75 calendar days before returning to WRS-eligible employment. The break applies to any work for the same employer you retired from, and to a different WRS employer if the position is expected to meet WRS eligibility. It does not apply to a different employer's position that won't meet WRS eligibility, or to a non-WRS employer. If you don't separate for 75 days the retirement is invalid. ET-4105 (rev 6/12/2026), p. 4, Break-in-Service Requirements
A valid termination
No agreement for future employment with the same employer (any job) or for WRS-eligible work with another WRS employer may exist on the termination date. ET-4105 (rev 6/12/2026), p. 3, What is a Valid Termination of Employment? (Wis. Admin. Code ETF 10.08)
Does my annuity keep paying?
If you terminated on or after July 2, 2013 and the new job meets current WRS eligibility (two-thirds of full time, 880 hours for teachers, expected to last a year), your annuity is suspended until you re-retire; no choice. Below two-thirds: first hired before July 1, 2011 and at least one-third time for a year, you may choose; first hired on or after July 1, 2011, your annuity continues. ET-4105 (rev 6/12/2026), p. 5, Going Back to Work for a WRS Employer
If you terminated before July 2, 2013 you may elect to remain an annuitant or to suspend your annuity and re-enroll. ET-2119 (6/18/2026), p. 17, Effect on Your Annuity
You can work for a non-WRS employer at any time without affecting your WRS benefits. ET-4105 (rev 6/12/2026), p. 7, Common Questions About Returning to Work
Re-retiring
Annuity A (original) resumes with the same option when you re-retire; the suspended benefit account balance x money purchase factor x original option factor is added. Annuity B is figured separately (formula vs money purchase) on the new service, with its own option; age reduction uses total service from both periods. ET-4105 (rev 6/12/2026), p. 9, How Does an Annuity Suspension and Re-Retirement Work?
Before 2013
Before the 2013 change, the law required separation of at least 30 days from all WRS-eligible employment (a WRS-ineligible job at a different employer was allowed within the 30 days). The 2013-15 budget raised it to 75 days; ETF applies the current rules to terminations on or after July 2, 2013. LFB Paper #259 (May 21, 2013), Page 3, item 8
What the sources say
- After retiring you must have a valid termination and stay away from WRS employment for at least 75 calendar days. That applies to any job with the employer you retired from, and to WRS-eligible jobs with other WRS employers.ET-4105 (rev 6/12/2026), p. 4, Break-in-Service Requirements
- If you don't stay separated for 75 days, the retirement is invalid.ET-4105 (rev 6/12/2026), p. 4, Break-in-Service Requirements
- You can't have any agreement for future work with your employer (or for WRS-eligible work elsewhere) when you terminate. School districts must wait until after you terminate to make such agreements.ET-4105 (rev 6/12/2026), p. 3, What is a Valid Termination of Employment?
- The earliest you can go back is the later of the day after your annuity starts or the 76th day after you terminated.ET-4105 (rev 6/12/2026), p. 5, Going Back to Work for a WRS Employer
- If you retired on or after July 2, 2013 and return to a job expected to be at least two-thirds time (880 hours for teachers) for a year, your annuity stops until you re-retire. Substitute and long-term substitute work counts the same way: it depends on expected hours.ET-4105 (rev 6/12/2026), pp. 5 and 7, Going Back to Work / Common Questions
- Below two-thirds time: if you first started before July 1, 2011 and work at least one-third time for a year, you can choose to keep or stop your annuity; if you started on or after July 1, 2011, your annuity continues.ET-4105 (rev 6/12/2026), p. 5, Going Back to Work for a WRS Employer
- When you re-retire, your first annuity resumes with the same option plus an increase from the payments that piled up while suspended; the new service is figured as a separate second annuity. In ETF's example, a $66,828 suspended balance x .00581 x .975 added $378 a month.ET-4105 (rev 6/12/2026), pp. 9-10, How Does an Annuity Suspension and Re-Retirement Work?
- The 75-day break dates from 2013. Before that the law required 30 days away from WRS-eligible work.LFB Paper #259 (May 21, 2013), Page 3, item 8; ET-2119 (6/18/2026), p. 17
- Working for a private (non-WRS) employer never affects your WRS annuity.ET-4105 (rev 6/12/2026), p. 7, Common Questions About Returning to Work
Questions
How long must I wait before working again?
At least 75 calendar days away from WRS employment. The earliest you can start is the later of the day after your annuity begins or the 76th day after your last day of work.
Can I substitute teach?
For the district you retired from: not until the 75 days have passed, and only with no agreement in place when you left. After that, how much you work decides whether your annuity keeps paying.
Will my annuity stop?
If the new job is expected to be two-thirds time or more (880 hours a year for teachers) for at least a year, yes, until you retire again. Below that, it usually keeps paying.
Can I work for a private school or company?
Yes, any time. Work for a non-WRS employer never affects your annuity.
Plans to go back? Talk to ETF before you sign anything with a WRS employer.
Source: Your Benefit Handbook (ET-2119), 6/18/2026, with Calculating Your Retirement Benefits (ET-4107, rev 3/5/2025), ET-2119 pp. 2, 17; ET-4105 pp. 3, 4, 5, 7, 9, 10; Wis. Stat. s. 40.26; LFB Paper #259 (2013). Last reviewed .