Working After Retirement

Temporary employment:
If the City of Seattle hires you as a temporary employee, there will be no impact on your pension and annuity retirement benefits if you do not exceed 1,040 hours of work in any calendar year.  The first pay period of the City's calendar year is typically the last pay period in December of the previous year.

If you work more than 1,040 hours in a calendar year, your benefits will be impacted.  You will only receive the annuity portion (based on your contributions and interest) of your retirement benefit.  The pension portion of your benefit will be frozen until the next calendar year begins (when the count of 1,040 hours resets) or until your City service ends.

If the City hires you after retirement, you will not be required to make contributions to the retirement system.  Tell your human resources staff know right away if you see retirement deductions coming out of your paycheck.  

Regular employment:

If the City hires you in a regular full-time or part-time position, your benefit will be immediately adjusted upon your re-hire with the City.  You will only receive the annuity portion of your retirement benefit.  The pension portion of your benefit will be frozen until your City Service ends.

Since you are still retired even though you are working for the City, you should not have retirement contributions deducted from your paycheck.  If you have self-paid medical coverage through the City of Seattle, please contact the SDHR Benefits Unit to let them know you have medical coverage as a regular employee.  SDHR Benefits Unit will suspend your retiree medical coverage.  

Please contact the Retirement Office when you separate from City employment again so that your full retirement benefit can resume.  You will also need to contact SDHR Benefit Unit to resume your self-paid medical coverage (if applicable).