State Employees' Retirement System

Two Plans for State Employees

The Michigan Office of Retirement Services administers two different retirement plans for State of Michigan employees: a Defined Benefit plan and a Defined Contribution plan. Use the information below to determine which plan(s) you belong to and the website link for that plan.

Retirement Plan Descriptions and Links
Defined Benefit Plan You're a member of the Defined Benefit (DB) plan if you were hired before March 31, 1997, and you: Elected the DB Classified plan under Public Act (PA) 264 of 2011. Elected the DB 30 plan under PA 264 of 2011 and you have not yet reached 30 years of service. State Employees' Retirement System Defined Benefit plan website
Defined Contribution Plan You're a participant in the Defined Contribution (DC) plan if you: Were newly hired by the State of Michigan on or after March 31, 1997. Began your state employment under the Defined Benefit (DB) plan and chose to transfer to the DC plan under Public Act 487 of 1996. (You retain the DB insurance subsidy.) State Employees' Retirement System Defined Contribution plan website

You're a member of the Defined Benefit (DB) plan and a participant in the Defined Contribution (DC) plan if you:

• Elected the DB 30 plan under Public Act (PA) 264 of 2011 and you have reached 30 years of service.
• Elected the DB/DC Blend plan under PA 264 of 2011, and thus became a DC plan participant April 1, 2012.
• Began your state employment under the DB plan, left, and then returned to state employment on or after Jan. 1, 2012, and before Jan. 1, 2014.

If you returned to state employment on or after Jan. 1, 2012, go to Returning to State Employment to find out how your retirement benefits are affected.

Other Items of Interest

About the State Employees' Retirement System

The State Employees' Retirement System is a statewide public employee retirement plan administered by the Michigan Office of Retirement Services.

Retirement Act, Public Act 240 of 1943

The operation of the State Employees' Retirement System is controlled by the State Employees' Retirement Act, Public Act 240 of 1943, as amended.

Board Information

This board provides oversight of the Defined Benefit plan in the State Employees' Retirement System.

Connections

Read the latest Connections, the newsletter we deliver four times a year to our retirees.

Annual Comprehensive Financial Reports

The annual comprehensive financial reports contain a wealth of interesting figures and statistics about the State Employees' Retirement System.

Office of the State Employer

This state office oversees contract negotiations with bargaining units for the state workforce. Its Employee Health Management Division assists employees with work-related illnesses and injuries. The Office of the State Employer also manages the workers' compensation program for State of Michigan employees.

Michigan Civil Service Commission

In addition to recruiting and hiring state employees, the Civil Service offers employee training, including seminars on planning and investing for retirement. The Employee Benefits Division of the Civil Service negotiates health insurance contracts for both active and retired state employees.

Voya Financial

Voya is a leading provider of pension plans and was selected by the state to administer the 401(k) Defined Contribution plan and the 457 Deferred Compensation plan. Voya also offers services like investment counseling and round-the-clock customer service.

State Employee Retirees Association (SERA)

A non-profit organization for current and future retirees of the State of Michigan.