Skip to main content

Annual Certifications and Verifications

Old Michigan red school house
Michigan Office of Retirement Services

Annual Certifications and Verifications

Annual Certifications and Verifications


Each year, you may be asked to provide documentation to ORS or your insurance carrier to continue coverage for yourself and any covered dependents. Please see the details below on what to expect and when to expect it.

If you are sent any of these certifications, you are encouraged to respond by the deadline indicated. If you do not respond by the deadline, your pension may be suspended and you, your spouse, and your dependents may be disenrolled from your insurance plan(s).

 

Student Certification

Who can expect it: Retirees who provide coverage for an unmarried child (or children) by birth or legal adoption under the age of 25 who is a full-time student and claimed as a dependent.
Purpose:

Your insurance carrier may send an annual request for dependency and school records as proof of full-time attendance for your dependent student.

To prove the student is a dependent, you will need to provide your tax form (for example, Form 1040), or a letter from your tax preparer.

To prove your dependent is an eligible student, you must also provide school records which include:

  • The dependent's name.
  • The dates the student is enrolled.
  • The name of the institution.
  • The number of credit hours or deemed full time.
Return to/by: Your insurance carrier before the date printed on the letter. This may vary among carriers.
Consequences of not responding: If you do not respond by the deadline, your dependent student(s) will be disenrolled from your insurance plan.

 

Annual Disability Certification

Who can expect it: Disability retirees.
Purpose: As a disability retiree, every year before age 60 you will receive an Annual Disability Certification form that you must complete and return to ORS. This form verifies that you are still unable to work because of a disabling condition.
Return to/by: ORS before the date printed on the letter.
Consequences of not responding: If you do not respond by the deadline, your pension will be suspended and you, your spouse, and your dependents will be disenrolled from your insurance plan.

 

Dependent Parent Certification

Who can expect it: Retirees who provide coverage for your parent(s) or parent(s)-in-law residing in your household (one set of parents or the other, but not both).
Purpose: ORS sends annual requests in March of each year for proof of residency of your parent(s) or parent(s)-in-law. You must provide a copy of one of the following in the parent or parent-in-law's name showing your address: 1099 or 1098 tax form for previous year, current voter registration card, state driver's license, or state-issued ID.
Return to/by: ORS before the date printed on the letter.
Consequences of not responding: If you do not respond by the deadline, your parent(s) or parent(s)-in-law will be disenrolled from your insurance plan.