A retiree needs at least a one-weekday break in service. A mandatory 12-month waiting period from the retirement date applies to all; returning to a RTW-covered job sooner suspends benefits for the reemployment or until the 12 months end. Provisions: (1) grandfathered retirees (retired on or before June 30, 2010): any job, no benefit impact; (2) age 65 or older: any job, no impact after the waiting period (effective the 1st of the month the retiree turns 65); (3) employer-certified critical-shortage positions (certified PreK-12 classroom teacher, adult education instructor, and listed ancillary roles): no impact after the waiting period; (4) everyone else: earn up to 50% of FAC per fiscal year (July 1-June 30); excess reduces benefits dollar for dollar; (5) full-time direct employment: suspend benefit, regain active membership and earn a supplemental benefit. Unsheltered contributions are required under each provision and refundable after reemployment ends, except under the supplemental option. Jobs not eligible for TRSL membership (private school, non-participating charter, private sector) are not covered. Returning to Work booklet pp. 1, 4-10; Member Handbook p. 18; legis.la.gov Title 11 contents (R.S. 11:710, 710.1, 710.2 repealed by Acts 2026, No. 344, eff. July 1, 2026)
The earnings limit
Anything you earn above the limit is taken out of your benefit, dollar for dollar.
Why we use the August 2026 booklet
TRSL Guide for Retirees (Apr. 2026), pp. 9-10 describes the 2010, 2020 and 2022 RTW laws (25% of benefit / 25% of FAC limits, etc.). TRSL Returning to Work (Aug. 2026), p. 1: Act 344 of 2026 replaces all other RTW laws (50% of FAC limit, age 65 provision). legis.la.gov shows R.S. 11:710-710.2 repealed by Acts 2026, No. 344, eff. July 1, 2026. Use the August 2026 RTW booklet (newer, matches the statute repeal). The April 2026 Guide for Retirees is out of date on this point.
From the sources
- A 2026 law (Act 344) replaced all earlier return-to-work rules. Everyone waits 12 months after retiring; going back to a TRSL-covered job sooner stops your benefit until the 12 months are up. You also need at least one weekday break after retiring.Returning to Work booklet pp. 1, 4
- After the wait: retirees 65 or older, and those in employer-certified critical-shortage jobs, keep their full benefit. Others can earn up to 50% of their FAC each July-June year (FAC $4,000 a month x 12 x 50% = $24,000); anything over that comes out of the benefit dollar for dollar. Those who retired by June 30, 2010 are not limited.Returning to Work booklet pp. 6-7, 10
- In a full-time job you can instead suspend your benefit, rejoin TRSL and earn a supplemental benefit. Jobs that aren't TRSL-covered (private schools, non-participating charters, private sector) aren't affected.Returning to Work booklet pp. 4, 8
Questions
How long do I have to wait before going back to work after retiring from TRSL?
12 months from your retirement date, under Act 344 of 2026. If you go back to a TRSL-covered job sooner, your benefit stops while you work there or until the 12 months are up.
How much can a TRSL retiree earn?
After the wait, retirees 65 or older and those in employer-certified critical-shortage jobs keep their full benefit. Others can earn up to 50% of their FAC each July-June year; anything over that comes out of the benefit dollar for dollar.
Do the rules apply to private school jobs?
No. Jobs that aren't eligible for TRSL membership, such as private schools, non-participating charter schools and the private sector, aren't covered.
Source: TRSL Member Handbook: Regular Plan & Plan B, Last revised April 2026, p. 18. Also: Returning to Work booklet pp. 1, 4, 4-10, 6-7, 7, 8, 10; legis.la.gov Title 11 contents. Last reviewed .