Returning to Work
When you retire from a CTPF-covered position, you may return to work for any employer not covered by the CTPF pension system without restriction.
Under the Illinois Pension Code, however, retirees cannot continue to receive a pension if they return to work in a system covered by CTPF, except in strictly limited circumstances, and provided the position is "temporary and non-annual." If you do not know if your employer is covered by CTPF, contact Member Services before accepting employment.
Retirees who violate the return to work rules may have their pensions cancelled and be obligated to repay all benefits earned while working in a permanent or annual position.
Return to Work Rules
To provide guidance to retirees who may return to work, the CTPF Board of Trustees adopted new re-employment rules in June 2011. Click here for a copy of the CTPF Rules Governing Re-Employment of Retired Teachers.
Acknowledgement of Rules
Upon retirement, all teachers must complete CTPF Form 717, Acknowledgment of CTPF Re-Employment Rules. Click here for a copy of Form 717.
Return to Work
Retirees who return to work in a system covered by CTPF in a position other than a substitute teacher must also complete CTPF Form 770, Notice of Return to Work. Click here for a copy of Form 770.
If the date of re-employment on a permanent or annual basis occurs within 5 school months after the date of previous retirement, exclusive of any vacation period, the member shall be deemed to have been out of service only temporarily and not permanently retired. Such person shall be entitled to pension payments for the time he could have been employed as a teacher and received salary, but shall not be entitled to pension for or during the summer vacation prior to his return to service.
When the member again retires on pension, the time of service and the money contributed by him during re-employment shall be added to the time and money previously credited. Such person must acquire 3 consecutive years of additional contributing service before he may retire again on a pension at a rate and under conditions other than those in force or attained at the time of his previous retirement.