{"id":357855,"date":"2016-04-04T10:45:29","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T15:45:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/employment\/wages-and-benefits\/if-i-retire-and-begin-receiving-my-pension-can-i-still-work.html"},"modified":"2025-03-16T02:04:00","modified_gmt":"2025-03-16T07:04:00","slug":"if-i-retire-and-begin-receiving-my-pension-can-i-still-work","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/employment\/wages-and-benefits\/if-i-retire-and-begin-receiving-my-pension-can-i-still-work.html","title":{"rendered":"If I Retire and Begin Receiving My Pension, Can I Still Work?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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If I Retire and Begin Receiving My Pension, Can I Still Work?<\/h1>\n
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\n By Amy Vandervort-Clark, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Melissa Bender, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

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Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n

You can generally work and collect your pension at the same time. But, you must understand the specific rules of your pension plan and potential impacts on Social Security benefits. While returning to work can supplement your income, it may affect the amount you receive from Social Security if you earn above a certain threshold. <\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n

On your last day, you thought you were retiring for good. You begin receiving retirement benefits but realize you need a little more money to cover health care premiums, meet the increased cost of living, and make ends meet. Perhaps you enjoy working and wish to try out a new role. It happens all the time. But you can’t afford to lose your pension while you’re back at work, particularly if it’s a lower-wage, part-time job. What should you do? Can you work and collect your pension at the same time?<\/p>\r\n

You want a secure financial future. An experienced employment attorney<\/a> in your area can help you review your pension plan details to understand the implications of additional income. <\/p>\r\n

It’s common for a recently retired person to seek reemployment with a former employer who provides the employee with a pension. It’s important to review your pension plan, as plans can differ from employer to employer. Your decision to return to work could negatively impact your pension.<\/p>\r\n

So, can you return to work and still collect your pension payments?<\/p>\r\n

In most cases, the answer is yes. You may still work while receiving a pension<\/a> and Social Security benefits but with a few limitations. Since pensions<\/a> are a part of your employee compensation package, they generally can’t face elimination. Some pensions change due to the rise and fall of the stock market, so it’s not uncommon for a retiree to continue working after retirement to supplement a weaker-than-expected monthly check.<\/p>\r\n

What Is a Pension?<\/h2>\r\n

A pension is a retirement account you earn as a benefit of your employment with specific employers. Generally, an employer invests money into a pool of funds the employee draws from after retirement. The employee isn’t required to make contributions.<\/p>\r\n

Pensions are usually defined benefit plans<\/a>. Your payment options upon retirement depend on your age, length of employment, and salary history.<\/p>\r\n

Pensions are waning in popularity as organizations move to less expensive alternatives such as defined-contribution plans. Defined contribution plans are employer-sponsored retirement accounts, like 401(k)<\/a> or 403(b) plans, where the employer matches a worker’s pretax contributions to a certain percentage. You save some income tax upfront since the money gets deducted before you’re taxed. You will pay the Internal Revenue Service<\/a> (IRS) taxes once you receive your retirement income.<\/p>\r\n

For additional information, see:<\/p>\r\n