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Michigan Public School Employees' Retirement System

Michigan Public School Employees' Retirement System

The Michigan Office of Retirement Services (ORS) administers a Defined Benefit Plan, two hybrid plans, and a Defined Contribution Plan for public school employees. ORS also administers two retiree healthcare plans: the premium subsidy benefit and the Personal Healthcare Fund. Contact ORS if you’re not sure which plan you’re in. Access the retirement plan descriptions and member websites below. 

Defined Benefit Plan

You're a member in the Defined Benefit (DB) retirement plan if you:

  • First worked for a Michigan public school before July 1, 2010, and
  • You did not choose to switch to the Defined Contribution (DC) retirement plan under the reform (Public Act 300 of 2012).

The DB Plan has several benefit structures based on your original date of hire, including Basic, Basic 4%, Basic DC Converted, MIP, MIP Fixed, MIP Graded, MIP Plus, MIP 7%, and MIP DC Converted.

Michigan Public School Employees' Retirement System website

Pension Plus Plan

You're a member in the Pension Plus retirement plan if you:

  • First worked for a Michigan public school between July 1, 2010, and Sept. 3, 2012, and you did not choose the Defined Contribution (DC) retirement plan under the reform (Public Act 300 of 2012), or
  • First worked for a Michigan public school between Sept. 4, 2012, and Jan. 31, 2018, and you did not choose the DC retirement plan.

The Pension Plus Plan is a hybrid plan that offers both a pension component and a savings component.

Pension Plus website

Pension Plus 2 Plan

You're a member in the Pension Plus 2 retirement plan if you:

  • First worked for a Michigan public school between Feb. 1, 2018, and June 30, 2024, and you chose the Pension Plus 2 Plan.
  • First worked for a Michigan public school on or after July 1, 2024, and you did not choose the Defined Contribution Plan.
The Pension Plus 2 Plan is a hybrid plan that offers both a pension component and a savings component.

Pension Plus 2 website

Defined Contribution Plan

You're a participant in the Defined Contribution (DC) retirement plan if you:

  • First worked for a Michigan public school on or after Sept. 4, 2012, and you chose the DC Plan, or
  • Began your Michigan public school employment under the Defined Benefit Plan and chose to transfer to the DC Plan under the reform (Public Act 300 of 2012), or
  • First worked for a Michigan public school between Feb. 1, 2018, and June 30, 2024, and you did not choose the Pension Plus 2 Plan, or
  • First worked for a Michigan public school on or after July 1, 2024, and you chose the DC Plan.

You’re a participant in the State of Michigan 401(k) and 457 Plans. A portion of your contributions and employer match are directed to the Personal Healthcare Fund (PHF) within the Plans. Contributions directed to the PHF are earmarked for healthcare costs in retirement but can be used however you want.

State of Michigan 401(k) and 457 Plans website


If you first worked on or after July 1, 2024

As a new member of the Michigan Public School Employees' Retirement System, you have an important decision to make about your future: choosing your retirement plan. You have 75 calendar days from the last day of your first pay period to choose the retirement plan that best meets your needs:
  • The Defined Contribution Plan.
  • The Pension Plus 2 Plan.
Check with your employer if you haven't received your welcome letter from the Michigan Office of Retirement Services in the mail. This letter includes information about your retirement plan options and how to submit your retirement plan choice online. You can get details about your plan options at PickMiPlan.
If you don’t submit your choice online and the deadline passes, you’ll be a member of the Pension Plus 2 Plan. 

Once you submit your choice in miAccount or the deadline passes, you can’t change your retirement plan.
 
PickMiPlan