Once you begin receiving your IMRF pension, you must contact IMRF if you return to employment or compensated elected office with a unit of government that participates in IMRF. This applies even if you are considering independent contract work with a unit of government that participates in IMRF.

Regardless of what your employer tells you regarding your pension status, it is YOUR RESPONSIBILITY to contact IMRF to report your return to work and to confirm that you may continue to receive your pension or to determine the date the pension will be suspended.

Performing work for any unit of government that participates in IMRF after you are receiving an IMRF pension can affect your pension status.

Failure to inform IMRF of a return to work that qualifies for IMRF participation could result in significant financial repercussions for you. If your return to work results in a situation where you are again eligible for IMRF participation, not only would you be responsible for any benefit overpayments, but you would also be responsible for any unpaid member contributions that should have been deducted from your paycheck once you began working again.

The IMRF booklet "Returning to Work After Retirement" discusses in detail how a return to work could affect your pension. This information is available in a printable Adobe PDF file here, or you can request a print version by calling IMRF.

IMRF also developed a one-page flyer that discusses return to work isues. You can print that Adobe PDF file here.

If there is something you do not understand or can't find here, contact IMRF Online or call an IMRF Member Service Representative at 1-800-ASK-IMRF (1-800-275-4673).