Program overview
The part-time teacher program can help you transition into retirement by allowing you to go from full-time to part-time employment while still earning full-time service credit. You continue to make regular TRA contributions based on your earned part-time salary and have the option to make additional contributions based on the difference between your part-time and full-time equivalent contract salaries.
To be eligible for participation, you must meet the following requirements:
- You must have at least three years of TRA allowable service credit.
- You must have been employed full-time during the school year immediately preceding your initial participation.
- If you work in a PreK–12 school, you cannot be a superintendent.
- If you work in the Minnesota State colleges and universities system, you cannot be a chancellor, deputy chancellor, or vice-chancellor.
- Your part-time salary must meet specific percentage requirements of a full-time equivalent salary (see salary requirements below).
Once you are in the program, you must follow these rules to maintain your status:
- You must establish a participation agreement with your employer, who must submit it to TRA by October 1 of each school year you participate.
- You may participate in the program for a maximum of 10 years.
- You may not earn service credit in another Minnesota public pension fund (except as a legislator or volunteer firefighter) or work for two different school districts simultaneously.
- Your participation is based on a full fiscal year. Retiring or terminating employment before the end of the fiscal year will result in the cancellation of your participation (except for specific retirements immediately following the first semester for Minnesota State members).
Salary requirements
- PreK–12: Your salary must be at least 30%, but no more than 80%, of the full-time equivalent.
- Minnesota State (full year): Your salary must be at least 30%, but no more than 80%, of the full-time equivalent.
- Minnesota State (first semester only): If retiring immediately after the first semester, your salary must be at least 15%, but no more than 40%, of the full time equivalent.
Once TRA confirms your eligibility, you are responsible for paying the member contributions on both your earned part-time salary and the difference required to reach a full-time equivalent salary. You are also responsible for paying the employer contributions on the additional salary amount unless your employer has specifically agreed to pay it. These additional amounts can be paid through payroll deduction or billed directly to you by TRA.
Getting started
Contact your human resources office for information about enrollment. For other questions, call TRA at 651-296-2409 or 800-657-3669.
