[ Your ERS Pension ]

Working after retirement

Y

ou can work after retirement and still receive your New York State and Local System pension, but there may be a limit on how much you can earn.

Returning to work for a public employer in NYS

In order to retire, a member must have a bonafide termination of employment and be removed from the payroll of their employer before their date of retirement. Whether a termination has occurred is based on whether facts indicate that the employer and employee reasonably anticipated that no further services would be performed after the retirement date.

When earnings are limited

If you return to work for a public employer in New York state, an earnings limit of $35,000 generally applies to retirees who are under age 65.* The limit applies to all earnings for the calendar year, including money earned in the calendar year, but paid in a different calendar year.

For retirees employed by school districts and BOCES, the earnings limit is suspended through June 30, 2025. The earnings limit suspension does not apply to retirees who work for a college, university or charter school.

Reporting your earnings

It is your responsibility to notify NYSLRS if you earn more than the limit. If you know you are going to exceed the limit, send a message using the secure contact form (emailNYSLRS.com) at least a month before you do.

Returning to work with no earnings limitation

Generally, the earnings limit does not apply* if you are self-employed or if you work for:

  • The federal government;
  • A state or local government in another state; or
  • A private employer.

For more information

For more information, read the NY Retirement News blog post, “Working after retirement: Retiree earnings limit,” nyretirementnews.com/working-after-retirement-retiree-earnings-limit.

*If you are receiving a disability retirement benefit, almost all earnings are limited whether you work for a public or private employer. The limit is specific to each retiree — to find out your limit, send a message using the NYSLRS secure contact form: emailNYSLRS.com.

Thomas P. DiNapoli headshot
In every issue, State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli, administrator of the New York State and Local Retirement System (NYSLRS), provides information on the retirement benefits received by many NYSUT SRPs and support staff. If you are a NYSLRS member with a question of general interest, email united@nysut.org.

Returning to work with no earnings limitation

Generally, the earnings limit does not apply* if you are self-employed or if you work for:

  • The federal government;
  • A state or local government in another state; or
  • A private employer.

For more information

For more information, read the NY Retirement News blog post, “Working after retirement: Retiree earnings limit,” nyretirementnews.com/working-after-retirement-retiree-earnings-limit.

*If you are receiving a disability retirement benefit, almost all earnings are limited whether you work for a public or private employer. The limit is specific to each retiree — to find out your limit, send a message using the NYSLRS secure contact form: emailNYSLRS.com.

Thomas P. DiNapoli headshot
In every issue, State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli, administrator of the New York State and Local Retirement System (NYSLRS), provides information on the retirement benefits received by many NYSUT SRPs and support staff. If you are a NYSLRS member with a question of general interest, email united@nysut.org.
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