Due to inaction by the Illinois General Assembly in the most recent legislative session, two important Teachers’ Retirement System (TRS) rules are set to expire on July 1 of this year.

First, the post-employment work restrictions for TRS annuitants are set to revert back to previous levels. Retired TRS annuitants are currently permitted to work up to 120 days or 600 hours in a TRS-covered position. If an annuitant exceeds these limitations, then TRS must be notified, the annuitant’s pension will be suspended, the annuitant will re-enter active contributing membership with TRS, and the annuitant’s pension may be recalculated. The 120 day / 600 hour rule is a temporary rule that would have been extended by Senate Bill 2279, but the bill did not pass in this legislative session. Therefore, beginning on July 1, 2011, the 120 day / 600 hour restriction will revert back to the original statutory limitation of 100 days or 500 hours. As a result, all school districts should closely review their work arrangements with any TRS annuitants to ensure that the lower day and hour limitations are not exceeded (in any period of July 1 to June 30) after July 1.