Welcome to the ORS website for state of Michigan employees in the Defined Contribution plan. Our office is here to help you apply for insurance or disability benefits, and pay insurance premiums when you decide to end your employment with the state of Michigan.

ORS partners with ING and the Michigan Civil Service Commission to offer your Defined Contribution plan. The following section shows which services are offered by each partner and who you should contact to find the information you need.

Changes do not affect current retirees and members who previously switched from the Defined Benefit (DB) plan to the Defined Contribution (DC) plan during the open enrollment window in 1998.

Retirement reform.

The deadline to make your retirement election has passed and you can no longer choose a plan option. Retirement plan changes due to P.A. 264 of 2011 will take effect April 1, 2012.

Click here to learn more about the retirement reform.

Attention all Defined Contribution participants with the Personal Healthcare Fund (PHF): If your contribution percentage to your pre-tax 401(k), Roth 401(k), and 457 accounts combined was less than 5 percent, your pre-tax 401(k) contribution level was automatically increased by up to 2 percent effective April 1, 2012. This was done so that you would qualify for the additional 2 percent employer matching contribution under the PHF. However, as we explained in the letter sent to you, the state cannot currently match funds across accounts (this will be available beginning June 21, 2012).

If you currently have contributions in your pre-tax 401(k) AND your Roth 401(k), the state will only be able to match whichever account between the two has the largest contribution, up to the 5 percent maximum allowed. You may need to temporarily move your contributions into either your 401(k) OR your Roth 401(k) to get the maximum match available to you. Make sure you're not leaving match money on the table! Contact ING at 1-800-748-6128 or log into your account at stateofmi.ingplans.com.

Remember that the state will be able to match across plans beginning on June 21, 2012, so you can reallocate your funds back between your 401(k) AND your Roth 401(k) after that date.

Published May 9, 2012

A coalition of state employee unions filed suit on February 13th in Ingham Circuit Court questioning the constitutionality of the changes to employee benefits created by PA 264 of 2011. The lawsuit will not be resolved before the statutory deadline for employees in the Defined Contribution (DC) plan to choose their retirement healthcare plan (March 2, 2012). ORS must implement Public Act 264 of 2011 as written. State employees in the DC plan who do not make an election by 5:00 p.m., Friday, March 2nd will retain the Graded Premium Subsidy where they accrue credit towards insurance premiums in retirement.

If you are in the Defined Contribution plan and are deciding whether or not to opt out of your current retiree health insurance coverage and switch to the Personal Healthcare Fund, there is a calculator available to help you estimate your potential healthcare savings. This calculator will project both portions of the Personal Healthcare Fund option: the lump sum credit and the 401(k)/457 healthcare contributions and match.

Click here to use the Personal Healthcare Fund calculator.

Published January 17, 2012

Our office will be closed on the following dates:

January 16 - Martin Luther King Jr. Day
February 20  - President's Day
May 28 - Memorial Day

State office closings for holidays are regulated by the Michigan Department of Civil Service Regulation 5.08. Public Act 124 of 1865 is the Michigan law governing official state holidays.

Published January 13, 2012

Public Act 264, signed by Governor Snyder on December 15, amends the State Employees' Retirement System. State employees in both the Defined Benefit plan and the Defined Contribution plan have additional options, and will need to make choices about their future benefits. Click here to see a summary of the Defined Contribution legislation summary. The ORS website will be updated regularly with additional details and tools to help members understand the changes.

For information about the 3% healthcare contribution refund, visit the Civil Service Commission website and click on the Employees or Announcements tabs at the bottom of the page.

Published December 15, 2011

While you're employed with the state of Michigan

• Learn about disability eligibility.
• Learn about your insurance benefits.

During and after employment with the state of Michigan

• Access and manage your 401(k) and 457 Plans.
• Nominate a beneficiary for your 401(k) and 457 Plans.
• Report a death of a 401(k) and 457 Plan participant.
• Download forms and publications.

During and after employment with the state of Michigan

• Convert life insurance.
• Verify your total hours of service.
• Download health plan booklets and bulletins.
• Obtain assistance when terminating employment.

Before you terminate employment with the state of Michigan

• Apply for health insurance or disability benefits.
• Nominate a life insurance beneficiary.
• Apply for active duty military service credit.

After you terminate employment with the state of Michigan

• Pay your health insurance premiums.
• Update your life insurance beneficiary.
• Update your insurance options.
• Report the death of a health insurance recipient.