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Eligibility

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Michigan Office of Retirement Services

Eligibility

Eligibility


Although most members of the Defined Benefit plan have the same eligibility requirements, there are some employee classifications that have different eligibility rules and calculations.

Most members qualify for a pension when they meet these age and service requirements.

Regular Retirement

Classified Employees: Age 60 with at least 10 years of service, or age 55 with 30 years of service
Unclassified Employee: Age 60 with 5 years of service

Early Reduced Retirement

An active member with at least 15 but less than 30 years of service can elect to take an early reduced retirement at age 55. Their pension is permanently reduced by .5 percent for each month and fraction of a month they take their pension before age 60 (6 percent per year).

Covered Employees

Employees holding positions in which they are responsible for the custody and supervision of prisoners are considered "covered employees" Covered employees are eligible at age 51 with 25 years in a covered position, or age 56 with 10 years in a covered position. In both situations, the last three years must be in a covered position.

Conservation Officers

If hired prior to April 1, 1991, Conservation Officers can draw their pensions at any age after 25 years of service, so long as 20 of those years were as a Conservation Officer. After that date, employees are eligible at any age with 25 years so long as 23 years were as a Conservation Officer. In both situations, the employee must be classified as a Conservation officer during their last two years prior to retirement.

Deferred Retirement

An employee may be eligible for a Deferred Retirement if they have more than 10 years of service when they leave employment, but have no yet met the age requirements.

More information on Pension eligibility and calculations can be found here.

Insurance Eligibility

Eligibility for retiree insurance is based on the same age and service requirements as pensions. Defined Contribution Participants can apply for retiree insurance (subsidized, or full cost) when they meet the age and service requirement listed above; even if they are not yet old enough to withdraw money from their Voya Financial® accounts.

Personal Healthcare Fund - Lump Sum Payment

Participants in the PHF plan with the monetized lump sum payment are eligible for 100 percent of the payment if they have at least 10 years of service and are at least 60 years old, or 30 years of service at age 55. If the participant has 10 years of service but does not meet the age requirement, they are eligible for 50 percent of the lump sum payment.

Personal Healthcare Fund - Health Reimbursement Account

Participants in the PHF plan with an HRA are eligible for $2,000 into an HRA at termination if they have at least 10 years of service and are at least as 60. If the participant has 10 or more years of service but does not meet the age requirement, they are eligible for $1,000 into an HRA at termination.