When to Contact ORS

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.

Address Change

Be sure we know your current mailing address and email address at all times so you receive your statements and other important notices. Address changes can be made online through miAccount, or you can send us a Name and/or Address Change Request (R0357X)  form.

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.

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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 can do so by using miAccount or by submitting the Insurance Enrollment/Change Request (R0452G)  form.

A birth or adoption could mean that you need to change your life insurance beneficiary using the Life Insurance Beneficiary Designation (R0782GHB)  form. And don't forget to notify ING if you have a deferred compensation account and want to change your beneficiary.

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Death

Death of the retiree. Upon your death, your personal representative (family member or executor) should contact ORS as quickly as possible. We will need your social security number and a photocopy of the death certificate. See What Your Survivors Should Know for information to give to your survivors. 

Death of a 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, ORS should be contacted 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. 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 .

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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.

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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, called a Domestic Relations Order (DRO). To assist you and your attorney, ORS provides instructions and downloadable, fillable DRO forms. These are the preferred DRO documents to file with the Office of Retirement Services. They are the fastest, most efficient way to complete your filing. Complete the form online, save it, print it, then take the printed copy to the court for the judge's signature.

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 report the divorce and we receive the required documentation. We cannot retroactively refund excess insurance premiums.

A divorce could mean you need to change your address or name using miAccount, or change your life insurance beneficiary using the  Life Insurance Beneficiary Designation (R0782GHB) form. Don't overlook your deferred compensation beneficiary with ING.

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EFT Change 

If you want to sign up 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. Do not 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.

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Employment 

See  Working After You Retire .

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Marriage

Marriage of retiree. 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, you can do so in miAccount or by completing the Insurance Enrollment/Change Request (R0452G) form. 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 or name using miAccount, or change your life insurance beneficiary using the Life Insurance Beneficiary Designation (R0782GHB) form. And don't overlook your deferred compensation beneficiary with ING.

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 children are eligible for insurance coverage. If anyone enrolled on your contract as an insurance dependent marries, you must notify ORS immediately. Use miAccount or the Insurance Enrollment/Change Request (R0452G) .

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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) .

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.

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Missing Payment

Notify ORS after three days if your regular EFT payment has not been deposited to your account. If your pension check is sent by mail and doesn't arrive 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.

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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.

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Taxes

You can change your federal or Michigan tax withholding rate at any time in miAccount or by sending ORS an updated Pension Recipient's Federal Income Tax Withholding Authorization (R0012X).

Each January, ORS will send you a federal form 1099-R 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. Log into miAccount any time after January 1 to view and print your 1099-R.

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