What to Expect After You Apply

Here is what happens from the time you send ORS your completed retirement application to when you begin receiving regular monthly pension payments. Remember, these dates are approximate and represent the minimum time required to complete each process.

Application review

When we receive your application, we review it to make sure all required information and documentation were submitted. If anything is missing or incomplete, all materials will be returned to you with an explanation of what is needed, and your application may be delayed.

Benefit summary and preliminary estimate

When you submit your retirement application through miAccount, a summary of your selections is immediately available to you including your retirement effective date, insurance choices, and tax exemptions requested. It will also give you a preliminary pension estimate, which will not include your final salary, final payouts, or any recently purchased service credit. If you submit a paper retirement application, we will send you a benefit summary letter about 10-14 days after we receive all completed application materials. 

Final salary confirmation

After your termination date, we will verify your last day worked and your final salary. Your payroll record does not reflect this information until you terminate employment and receive your final paycheck. This step ensures all your wages are reported along with any final payouts.

Award letter

Once we have your final wage and service information, we will verify your pension eligibility and put you on the retirement payroll. You'll get an award letter that tells you how much your pension payment is and when you can expect it. This letter details how your pension was calculated as well as any deductions (insurance premiums, taxes) reflected in the payment amount. Keep the information in a safe place so you have and easy-to-find record of your pension benefits.

First pension payment

Your first pension payment should arrive one to three months after you terminate your employment and receive your last paycheck, provided you meet all eligibility requirements and all required retirement forms are on file with ORS. If that first payment is delayed while we gather final salary information, you will be paid retroactive to your retirement effective date.

Ongoing pension payments

Pensions are paid on the 25th of each month for the month they are due. If the 25th falls on a weekend or holiday, watch for your payment on the preceding business day. December payments are issued about one week early.

Your pension statements

Your insurance enrollments

We will forward your insurance enrollment information to your chosen health, dental, and vision carriers after all proofs are on file. You should receive insurance identification cards and materials a few weeks after your pension begins. If you require health services before your cards arrive, save your itemized receipts for submission afterwards, or if necessary, have the provider verify your coverage with ORS.

Your deferred compensation

ING, the state's 401(k) and 457 plan administrator, will send you information about payout options from your deferred compensation account(s). You can also contact ING at (800) 748-6128 or http://stateofmi.csplans.com to request the Payout Guide.

Once you're retired, there is no active link between your state police human resource data and ING. Therefore, if you update your address, phone, email, or dependent data with ORS, you will also need to contact ING to report changes that affect your deferred compensation accounts.

If you disagree with a decision.

If you disagree with a determination made by ORS concerning your retirement benefits, you may request a review by writing to ORS stating the basis for your disagreement and providing all information which you believe supports your position. Your request will be thoroughly reviewed and you will be notified in writing of the outcome.

Any overpayment must be recovered

The retirement law requires ORS to correct any payment errors. As a result, any person who receives a benefit payment in error will be required to repay the benefit.