ORS State Police - FAQs Home Page

ORS Michigan State Police Retirement System

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What are ORS office hours?
The Lansing office is open 8:30 to 5:00 Monday through Friday for walk-in counseling. You can also call our office 8:30 to 5:00 Monday through Thursday. For more information on how to reach us, click on Contact Us on the top navigation bar.

2. I work as a dispatcher at a State Police post. Do I have benefits?
Only enlisted officers are members of the State Police Retirement System. If you are a state of Michigan employee, visit our website for state employees.

3. When can I retire?
You are entitled to a pension at any age with 25 years of service. More information on full retirement benefits by clicking Available Benefits on the left navigation bar.

4. How much will I get?
The pension formula multiplies your final average salary by 60 percent. Click on About Your Plan and then on Pension Basics to learn more about your pension calculation.

5. What does "buying time" mean?
You may be able to purchase service credit that would allow you to retire earlier. To decide if buying time is beneficial to you, click on Service Credit on the left navigation bar.

6. I'm getting divorced. What do I need to do?
If you divorce as an active or deferred member, the court may order that a portion of your pension be paid to an alternate payee such as your former spouse or dependent child. The order (known as an eligible domestic relations order, or EDRO) must contain specific information in a specific format, and must be on file with ORS prior to your retirement effective date. Details and sample language can be found in the ORS publication Eligible Domestic Relations Orders (R295X).

The EDRO Act doesn't apply to a divorce after retirement. Click here if you're already receiving your pension when you divorce.

7. Do I have other opportunities to save for my retirement?
Yes. The state of Michigan sponsors a deferred compensation plan. You can have tax-deferred payroll deductions go into a 401(k) or 457 plan with ING.

8. What does my survivor need to do when I die?
First, and most important, your survivor should contact ORS right away. ORS will then ask for some very specific information as well as a certified copy of the death certificate. We will then review your records to determine what, if anything, is payable. What happens next will depend on your member status at the time of your death.

If you die while an active member.
If you die while participating in the DROP.
If you die as a deferred member.
If you die after you retire.

9. What is DROP?
The Deferred Retirement Option Plan (DROP) allows you to extend your employment and defer your pension until a later date. Click here for more information on the DROP program.

10. When will my pension payment arrive?
Pension payments are delivered on the 25th of each month. To learn more, click Your Pension Payments under After Retirement on the left navigation bar.