Increases the yearly amount of money that retired teachers, who had been certified driver education teachers, could earn from fifteen thousand dollars ($15,000) to twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000), without a reduction in their retirement benefits.

## Summary of the Bill

This bill would raise the amount of money that certain retired teachers can earn from working without having their retirement benefits reduced. Specifically, it applies to retired teachers who were certified to teach driver education. Currently, these retirees can earn up to $15,000 per year while still receiving their full retirement benefits. This bill would increase that cap to $25,000 per year.

Under existing Rhode Island law, retired public employees who return to some form of work may face reductions in their pension payments if they earn above a certain threshold. This bill recognizes that retired driver education teachers may continue to work — likely teaching driver education — and adjusts the earnings limit upward so they can earn more without losing any of their retirement income.

The bill directly affects retired teachers in Rhode Island who held driver education certification. By raising the earnings cap, it could make it more financially worthwhile for these retirees to continue working part-time or in a limited capacity. This could also help address any shortages of qualified driver education instructors in the state. The bill has been introduced in the Rhode Island House of Representatives and referred to the House Finance Committee for consideration.