Do retired county employees earn additional pension credits while working for a sheriff or prosecutor?
Short answer
No. Under the new law, retired county employees who return to work for a county sheriff’s office or prosecutor’s office do not earn additional retirement credits. They also do not receive any increase in their pension benefits because of this specific employment. The law explicitly excludes them from plan membership during this period.
What the bill or law says
Public Act 67 of 2026 amends Section 12a of the County Board of Commissioners Act. This section outlines how counties manage pension plans. The amendment adds two new exceptions to the rule that usually suspends pensions when a retiree returns to work for the same county. These exceptions allow retirees to keep receiving their pension checks if they work for a county sheriff’s office or a county prosecutor’s office Source.
However, the text places strict limits on what the retiree gains from this job. The law states that the retirant is not a member of the retirement plan during the period of re-employment. It further specifies that the individual does not receive additional retirement credits. Finally, it confirms that the retirant does not receive an increase in pension or retirement benefits because of this employment Source.
How it works in practice
When a retired county employee takes a job with their former county’s sheriff or prosecutor, they continue to receive their original pension payments without interruption. They also earn a salary from the new position. However, the county retirement system does not treat this new work as service that adds to their retirement history.
Because the retiree is not considered a member of the plan during this time, no new contributions are made toward their future pension growth. The pension amount remains fixed at the level it was when they first retired. This structure allows counties to hire experienced staff for critical public safety and legal roles without altering the financial calculations of the existing retirement fund.
What the source does not answer
The bill text does not specify whether these re-employed retirees are eligible for other non-pension benefits, such as health insurance or paid leave, beyond what is required by law or provided due to their status as a retiree. It also does not detail how counties should handle tax withholdings for individuals receiving both a pension and a salary simultaneously. Additionally, the text does not provide data on how many retirees are expected to use this exception or the long-term fiscal impact on county budgets.