MontanaHB 15869th Legislature, Regular Session (2025)HouseWALLET

Revising working retiree provisions under TRS

Sponsored By: Melissa Nikolakakos (Republican)

Became Law

RetirementSchools and EducationSenior Citizens

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.

2025-2029: Retired teachers can work full time

From July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2029, some retired teachers can work full time and keep pension checks. You must have 27 or more years of service, have received retirement pay for at least 2 months, not be on disability retirement, and hold a valid certificate. The job must be in a second- or third-class elementary or high school district. You can work up to 5 years total in your lifetime. Your pension keeps paying; you do not rejoin the system or earn new service credit, and normal earnings limits do not apply. Each year, the district must advertise and certify to the Office of Public Instruction and the retirement board that it could not hire a nonretired person, and file your name, Social Security number, and contract. The district pays the required employer contribution rates.

Starting 2029: Tighter rehiring rules for retirees

Starting July 1, 2029, the rehiring rules get tighter. To work full time without losing pension checks, you must have 30 or more years of service and a valid certificate. You can work no more than 3 years in your lifetime. You stay out of active membership and do not earn new service credit, and normal earnings limits do not apply. The district must advertise and certify it could not fill the job with a nonretired person and file your name, Social Security number, and contract. The district pays the required employer contribution rates.

Rehire law extended through 2029; starts 2025

The state keeps the prior rehire law in place through June 30, 2029 instead of ending in 2025. Cross-references are updated to show the 2029 end date. The act takes effect July 1, 2025.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Melissa Nikolakakos
Republican • House

Cosponsors

Daniel Emrich
Republican • Senate
Llew Jones
Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 292 • No: 2

House vote • 3/31/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 50 • No: 0

House vote • 3/28/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 48 • No: 0

House vote • 1/27/2025

Do Pass

Yes: 97 • No: 1

House vote • 1/24/2025