Termination and Reemployment Rules
Before receiving a benefit payment from MOSERS, IRS rules require a “bona fide termination” of your employment. For purposes of MOSERS Board Rules, a "bona fide termination" occurs when:
- You have completely severed employment;
- You have not entered into a prearranged agreement (written or oral), prior to retirement, with the State of Missouri or any MOSERS-covered employer for subsequent employment on any basis (full-time, part-time, or other); and
- You are not subsequently employed with the State of Missouri or any MOSERS-covered employer on any basis (full-time, part-time, or other) within 30 days after your employment with your prior employer has ended. Reemployment in any capacity includes but is not limited to employment in a benefit-eligible, non-benefit-eligible, part-time, or temporary position with an employer; or as a contract employee, leased employee, or as an independent contractor for an employer. “Employer” means the state of Missouri or any other MOSERS employer covered by Chapters 104, 287, or 476, RSMo.
See FAQs on Termination and Reemployment Rules for more information.
Reemployment
Non-Benefit-Eligible Position
Upon meeting the termination and reemployment rules, you may return to work and continue receiving your monthly pension payment, as long as your position is not a MOSERS or MoDOT and Patrol Employees’ Retirement System (MPERS) benefit-eligible position.
Benefit-Eligible Position
If you return to work for the state of Missouri in a MOSERS or MPERS benefit-eligible position:
- Your monthly pension payment will stop.*
- Any life insurance you retained through MOSERS as a retiree will end. You may re-elect life insurance through SEBES within 31 days of employment without proving insurability.
- Depending on various factors (your plan, how long you work, etc.), you may or may not earn additional credited service during reemployment.
- When you return to retirement status, your monthly pension payment will equal the amount** you were receiving when you returned to work plus any additional benefit you may have earned during reemployment. You also may retain life insurance up to the maximum amount allowable, if applicable.
* Effective August 28, 2023, a retiree serving as a legislator or statewide elected official will not have their pension payment or any applicable COLAs stopped.
** If you were receiving the temporary benefit, it will be payable only if you return to retirement status prior to age 62.
Read your retirement handbook, which includes everything you need to know about reemployment and how it affects your benefit payment or contact a MOSERS benefit counselor with any questions.
Read our emails, watch our videos, follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, & Rumor Central and review your Annual Benefit Statement.
Notify us when you have any significant life events (such as change in your marital status or death of a family member) that may impact your benefits.
Log in to myMOSERS, to update your personal information (mailing address, email address, phone numbers, etc.), update your beneficiaries, track your benefit payments, review your Annual Benefit Statement, and much more.