Employment of Retirees

A retiree of SERS or another Ohio system may be employed by a school in a position in which SERS contributions are required without limitation on the number of days or earnings.

Reemployed retirees are required to contribute to SERS if employed in a SERS-covered position.

• A retiree of SERS or another Ohio state retirement system should wait two months from the effective date of retirement before public reemployment.
• A retiree who is employed in a SERS position within the first two months of retirement loses the retirement payment for each month worked during the two-month waiting period.

Multiple Positions: If the retiree holds multiple positions prior to retirement, he or she may then continue working in the lesser-paying position(s) without forfeiting these two months of pension payments.

In accordance with section 3309.345 of the Ohio Revised Code, if an employer intends to continue the employment of the person who currently holds the position as a reemployed retiree, or rehire a person who retired from the position as a reemployed retiree, to a position customarily filled by a vote of members of a board or commission, the employer first must:

• Provide public notice that the person is, or will be, retired and is seeking employment with the employer
• Ensure the public notice is provided not less than 60 days — 30 if there is an urgent need to fill the position — before the employment is to begin
• Hold a public meeting on the issue of the person being employed as a reemployed retiree between 15 and 30 days before the reemployment is to begin

This public notice requirement does not apply if the person will have been retired for at least a year when the person’s employment as a reemployed retiree begins.

To certify that the requirements of this law were met:

• Complete a Reemployed Retiree Notification Form
• Submit a copy to SERS
• Certify to SERS that, as the employer, you have complied

Once a retiree is enrolled in eSERS, remit contributions and reports, along with any other required information, in the same manner as for a non-retired employee.

Retirees who return to work for a public or private employer may temporarily lose eligibility for SERS’ health care coverage while reemployed. Eligibility is restored once reemployment ends. This does not apply to individuals enrolled in Medicare Part B.

SERS’ health care eligibility is lost when the reemployed retiree:

• Is eligible for medical and prescription coverage through the new employer, or
• Is not eligible for medical and prescription coverage through the new employer, but other employees in comparable positions are eligible for coverage. The coverage available to employees in comparable positions must be at the same cost as full-time employees.

Eligibility for SERS’ coverage is not lost if:

• The retiree does not have access to employer coverage, or
• It costs employees in comparable positions more than full-time employee pay. This also applies to spouses, but not children.

If you have questions, call Health Care Services at 800-878-5853.

A SERS disability benefit recipient cannot be employed by a SERS-covered employer. If employment occurs, the disability benefit ends.

Schools that hire a disability benefit recipient must:

• File notice of the employment with SERS
• Ensure the notice includes the date of employment

If you employ a disability recipient before you notify SERS:

• You must pay the total amount of the disability benefits paid during the period of employment prior to the notice
• A letter from SERS will be sent to you for the balance of the amount owed
• The district will have 30 days to issue payment

If an employee is on a leave of absence when disability benefits are terminated, the employer must restore the employee to their previous position and salary, or a similar position and salary. This does not apply if the employee was dismissed or resigned due to dishonesty, misfeasance, malfeasance, or a felony conviction.

Disability recipients of another Ohio retirement system should contact the other system to determine any restrictions on returning to public employment. Individuals receiving a disability benefit from another Ohio system are not eligible to apply for a SERS disability benefit.