We encourage you to self-manage your pension by logging into
miAccount at www.michigan.gov/orsmiaccount. Once there, select State
Employees, and then click the Register Now button. After you have logged in, you
have secure access to change your insurance needs, apply for retirement, update
your address, and much more.
miAccount is the fastest way to access and
make changes to your account.
Below are the most common situations that would require contact with ORS after your pension payments begin. Please use it as a general guide only. Because we can't list every possible event that should be reported, it's best to contact us if you're not sure.
You can use the secure message board in
miAccount to contact a
knowledgeable ORS representative.
|
Click a link to jump to the content below.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Address Change
Be sure that ORS knows your current mailing address (even if you use EFT for your pension payments) at all times so that you receive your statements and other important notices.
If you use EFT, you can change your address by logging into
miAccount, writing
a letter, or visiting or phoning ORS. We'll need your social security number (and the retiree's number, if you are receiving a survivor benefit), along with both your old and new address.
If your checks are mailed to you, we must have a written request to change your address. Send us a signed letter or use the
Name and/or Address Change Request (R0357X). In most cases, if we receive your request by the first day of the month, your next check will be redirected.
We will notify your insurance carriers of your address change; however, it may take up to 30 days before the insurance carrier can take action. If you're insured by an HMO, ask to speak with an ORS insurance representative because an address change could affect your coverage.
See EFT Change (on this page) if you are changing your EFT account.
Back to top.
Birth
Ordinarily, the birth or adoption of a child after you retire will not affect your pension. However, if you wish to enroll your child in your insurance plans, you should complete the
Insurance Enrollment/Change Request (R0452G).
A birth or adoption could mean that you need to change your life insurance beneficiary using the
Life Insurance Beneficiary Designation (R0782GHB).
Don't forget your
401(k) and 457 plans.
Back to top.
Death
Death of member. Upon your death, your personal representative (family member, executor) should contact ORS as quickly as possible. We will need your social security number and a certified death certificate, as well as his or her name, address, and telephone number. See
What Your Survivors Should Know
for information to give to your survivors.
Death of survivor pension beneficiary. If you elected a
survivor option and your pension beneficiary predeceases you, notify ORS and
provide a photocopy of the death certificate so we can adjust your pension
amount to the full (unreduced) straight life pension. If you elected the equated
plan and your beneficiary dies before you, your benefit will revert to the
straight life equated amount.
If any person receiving a survivor benefit dies,
contact ORS
immediately. We will need the social security number of the state retiree as
well as that of the beneficiary who was receiving benefits, along with a
photocopy of the death certificate.
ORS will stop pension payments as soon as we are notified of a
death. If the death notice is not received timely, the estate is obligated to
repay all payments made after death.
Death of insurance dependent. If anyone enrolled as a
dependent in your health, dental, or vision insurance plan dies, report the
death immediately using the Beneficiaries & Dependents section in
miAccount or by completing
the
Insurance Enrollment/Change Request (R0452G)
form. You must also submit a photocopy of the death certificate.
Additional information about reporting a death can be found in
What Your Survivors Should Know
.
Back to top.
Disability Retirement
If you are receiving a disability retirement, you should notify ORS if your condition improves. ORS will also need to know if you plan to return to gainful employment and you are under age 60.
Back to top.
Divorce
If you divorce after retirement, your pension will not be
affected unless you elected a survivor option. To change your survivor option to
a straight life pension you must submit a court order?
contact ORS
prior to finalizing your divorce to obtain the required language for this
situation.
If your former spouse is enrolled as a dependent in your health,
dental, vision, or life insurance plan, his or her eligibility will cease.
Report the divorce immediately using the
Insurance Enrollment/Change Request (R0452G) form or
miAccount.
We cannot adjust your insurance premiums until you have reported the
divorce and we have received the required documentation. We cannot retroactively
refund excess insurance premiums.
A divorce could mean you need to change your address and life insurance
beneficiary through miAccount or by using the
Name and/or Address Change Request (R0357X) or
Life Insurance Beneficiary Designation (R0782GHB) forms. Remember, you
may need to contact update
401(k) and 457 plan
beneficiary.
Back to top.
EFT Change
If you want to sign up for EFT or change your EFT bank account, the quickest
way is to log into miAccount. An alternative is to complete an
Electronic Funds Transfer (Direct Deposit) Application
(R0277X). Ordinarily, if we receive your request by the first day of the month, your next payment should be deposited to your new account. However, don't close your old account until your pension payment has been successfully deposited in your new account.
If you want to cancel your EFT authorization, submit a written request to ORS. Include your name, mailing address, social security number, and signature. Do not close your account until you receive your pension payment at your mailing address.
Back to top.
Employment
See Working After You Retire.
Back to top.
Marriage
Marriage of member. If you marry after your retirement pension begins, there is no need to report the marriage because your payments will not be affected.
However, if you wish to enroll your new spouse in your insurances, complete the
Insurance Enrollment/Change Request (R0452G). If you submit the form and a copy of your marriage certificate to ORS within 30 days
of the event, coverage can begin as of the marriage date (the ordinary 6-month waiting period is waived).
A marriage could mean you need to change your address and life insurance
beneficiary through miAccount or by using the
Name and/or Address Change Request (R0357X) or
Life Insurance Beneficiary Designation (R0782GHB) forms. Remember, you
may need to contact update
401(k) and 457 plan
beneficiary.
Marriage of survivor pension beneficiary. If you are receiving a survivor pension on the account of a deceased state employee, you don't need to report your marriage because your pension will continue as usual, and insurance benefits are not available to your new spouse.
Marriage of insurance dependent. Only unmarried dependents are eligible for insurance coverage. If anyone enrolled on your contract as an insurance dependent marries, you must notify ORS immediately. Use the
Insurance Enrollment/Change Request (R0452G).
Back to top.
Medicare
You
do not need to notify ORS when your Medicare coverage begins at age 65. However,
if you, your spouse, or anyone covered by your insurance are offered Medicare
before age 65, you must notify ORS using
miAccount or by completing
the
Insurance Enrollment/Change Request (R0452G)
form.
The
Health Insurance section explains how Medicare eligibility affects your state health insurance coverage.
Once your Medicare begins you should see a significant decrease in the amount of your health plan premiums. Because you cannot be reimbursed retroactively for any premiums deducted, be sure to notify ORS as soon as you or any dependent on your health insurance plan becomes eligible for Medicare before the age of 65.
Back to top.
Missing Payment
Notify ORS after 3 days if your regular EFT payment has not been deposited to your account. If your pension
payment doesn't arrive in the mail by the 7th day of the month after its due date (ordinarily the 25th of each month), contact ORS.
If you receive your check and then it is lost, stolen, or destroyed, contact ORS immediately. We will issue a stop payment on the check and send you an affidavit for your signature. When you return the affidavit, the Department of Treasury will cancel the original check and issue a replacement.
Back to top.
Social Security
You don't need to notify ORS when your social security payments begin, because it will not affect your pension.
If you chose the equated plan, remember that your pension will be reduced when
you turn age 65 regardless of how much your social security benefit is, or when
it begins. The reduction in your pension is based on the social security
estimate you provided when you applied for your pension.
Back to top.
Taxes
You can change your federal tax withholding rate at any time by sending ORS an updated
Pension Recipient's Federal Income Tax Withholding Authorization (R0012X)
or by logging into miAccount and changing your withholding amount.
Your pension is exempt from Michigan and local income taxes. If you live outside of Michigan, check the state and local tax regulations in your area.
Each January, ORS will send you a federal form 1099R so you can file your income tax returns. This statement shows how much was paid to you during the year in pension benefits, as well as how much was withheld in taxes. If you don't receive yours by February 10, contact ORS so we can mail a duplicate statement.
Your 1099R may also be obtained after the first of the year through
miAccount.
Back to top.
Printer Friendly
Text Version 
Email Page
