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Find your plan
Your first day of work picks Basic, MIP, Pension Plus, Pension Plus 2 or DC. For hires from September 4, 2012 you tell us your plan choice; otherwise we use the default for your start date. DC members get a clear "no pension" result.
ORS employer manual 6.03.03, Pension Plus and Pension Plus 2 plans (last updated 10/01/2025), Pension Plus 2 Plan ('Those whose first day worked was Feb. 1, 2018 – June 30, 2024, and who did not make an election, are enrolled in the Defined Contribution (DC) plan'); MPSERS annual report FY2025, p. 25; MCL 38.1381d(1)-(6) - 2
Project your service
If you're still working, we add the time from today to your retirement date to the service you enter, one year per year. Deferred members earn no more.
Planning Your Retirement (R0613C, 5/26), p. 13, Your YOS (1,020 hours; 30 hours a week weekly, 60 biweekly); Your Retirement Plan (R0611C, May 2017; dated), pp. 16-17 (other pay-period caps and part-time examples) - 3
Split 1.5% and 1.25%
For Basic and MIP, your 2012 reform choice sets how much service counts at each factor. If you don't enter your 1.5% years, we assume full-time service from February 1, 2013 counts at 1.25%.
Planning Your Retirement (R0613C, 5/26), p. 11, Your pension factor; MPSERS annual report FY2025, pp. 25-26, Options 1-4; MCL 38.1384b - 4
Apply the formula
FAC × pension factor × years of service gives the yearly straight life pension; we divide by 12 and round to cents, the way ORS's examples do.
Planning Your Retirement (R0613C, 5/26), p. 10, Calculating your pension ('FAC x Pension factor x YOS'); MPSERS annual report FY2025, p. 25, Regular Retirement; MCL 38.1384(1) - 5
Check eligibility
We test age and service on the retirement date against your plan's rules. Ages count from the 1st of the month after your birthday month.
Planning Your Retirement (R0613C, 5/26), pp. 9, 40-41; ORS web page: Qualifying for Your Pension, Your Retirement Effective Date; MCL 38.1383(1) - 6
Cut early pensions
Basic and MIP members retiring early lose 0.5% for each month (a partial month counts as full) before 60.
MPSERS annual report FY2025, p. 26 ('reduced 0.5% for each full and partial month between the pension effective date and the date the member will attain age 60'); MCL 38.1384(2) ('for each month, and fraction of a month'); Planning Your Retirement (R0613C, 5/26), pp. 50-51, Appendix (age 56 yrs 9 mths 12 days: a 39-month, 19.5% reduction) - 7
Show options and increases
Survivor options use ORS's rounded 2017 sample tables (labeled "Check with MPSERS"). MIP increases add 3% of the first pension each Oct. 1.
Retirement Readiness (Dec. 2017, dated), p. 27, 100% Survivor Option Actuarial Table
What the calculator doesn't cover
- Your final average compensation. We use the number you enter; ORS figures it from your pay records.
- Disability pensions, duty deaths and survivor pensions for your own case (we show ORS's examples).
- The DC plan and the savings part of Pension Plus and Pension Plus 2. Those are account balances, not pensions.
- Health premiums, taxes and other deductions from your check.
- Your real survivor option factors. ORS's lookup and miAccount use exact ages and current factors.
- Service credit purchase costs and the equated plan advance (it depends on your Social Security estimate).
Assumptions you should know
Pensions start on the 1st of a month, so we move other dates to the next 1st. The "work longer" comparison keeps your FAC the same, as ORS's own examples do. MIP's 30-year rule needs at least 15 earned years; we treat the purchased years you enter as not earned.
Each rule is explained in plain English in the guides: which plan you're in, the pension formula, retiring early and payment options.
How we check the math
The calculator runs on a small engine that reads every rule from one data file, each with a source cite. Automated tests check it against the worked examples ORS prints. They run every time the site is built.
| ORS example | ORS | Ours |
|---|---|---|
| Carl, straight life MatchPlanning Your Retirement (R0613C, 5/26), pp. 12-13, Carl's straight life pension | $1,105.10 | $1,105.10 |
| Sherri, straight life (two factors) MatchPlanning Your Retirement (R0613C, 5/26), pp. 12-13, Sherri's straight life pension | $2,399.93 | $2,399.93 |
| Sherri, retire at 55 MatchPlanning Your Retirement (R0613C, 5/26), p. 19, Early reduced pension | $1,679.95 | $1,679.95 |
| Sherri, retire at 59 MatchPlanning Your Retirement (R0613C, 5/26), p. 19, Early reduced pension | $2,255.93 | $2,255.93 |
| Sherri, retire at 60 MatchPlanning Your Retirement (R0613C, 5/26), p. 19, Early reduced pension | $2,399.93 | $2,399.93 |
| Sherri, 100% survivor MatchPlanning Your Retirement (R0613C, 5/26), pp. 16-17, Sherri's survivor pension calculation example | $2,063.94 | $2,063.94 |
| Sherri, 75% survivor MatchPlanning Your Retirement (R0613C, 5/26), pp. 16-17, Sherri's survivor pension calculation example | $2,135.94 | $2,135.94 |
| Sherri, 50% survivor MatchPlanning Your Retirement (R0613C, 5/26), pp. 16-17, Sherri's survivor pension calculation example | $2,207.94 | $2,207.94 |
| Appendix, early reduced Basic member Off by a centPlanning Your Retirement (R0613C, 5/26), pp. 50-51, Appendix, Pension estimate summary example | $2,224.52 | $2,224.51 |
| Appendix, 100% survivor MatchPlanning Your Retirement (R0613C, 5/26), pp. 50-51, Appendix, Pension estimate summary example | $1,797.41 | $1,797.41 |
| Appendix, 75% survivor MatchPlanning Your Retirement (R0613C, 5/26), pp. 50-51, Appendix, Pension estimate summary example | $1,888.62 | $1,888.62 |
| Appendix, 50% survivor MatchPlanning Your Retirement (R0613C, 5/26), pp. 50-51, Appendix, Pension estimate summary example | $1,988.72 | $1,988.72 |
| Lookup tool, 100% survivor MatchORS web page: Survivor Option Factor Lookup, illustration table | $1,708.67 | $1,708.67 |
| Lookup tool, 75% survivor MatchORS web page: Survivor Option Factor Lookup, illustration table | $1,738.00 | $1,738.00 |
| Lookup tool, 50% survivor MatchORS web page: Survivor Option Factor Lookup, illustration table | $1,769.17 | $1,769.17 |
| Equated plan, before 62 MatchPlanning Your Retirement (R0613C, 5/26), p. 21, Equated pension reduction example | $2,121.00 | $2,121.00 |
| Equated plan, after 62 MatchPlanning Your Retirement (R0613C, 5/26), p. 21, Equated pension reduction example | $588.00 | $588.00 |
| MIP increase, October 1, 2027 MatchPlanning Your Retirement (R0613C, 5/26), p. 46, MIP post-retirement increase | $1,236.00 | $1,236.00 |
| MIP increase, October 1, 2028 MatchPlanning Your Retirement (R0613C, 5/26), p. 46, MIP post-retirement increase | $1,272.00 | $1,272.00 |
| MIP increase, October 1, 2029 MatchPlanning Your Retirement (R0613C, 5/26), p. 46, MIP post-retirement increase | $1,308.00 | $1,308.00 |
Also tested:
- Mason's 2,080 hours count as 1 year of service.
- Jon needs his 2 purchased years to qualify for the early reduced pension, so his subsidy is delayed two years. (Our engine: 2 years.)
- Sara could retire early reduced without the purchase; she uses it to retire with the full pension, so her subsidy is not delayed. (Our engine: 0 years.)
- Graded and deferred retiree health subsidy tables (20 years = 0%, 21 years = 8%, 25 years = 40%, 28 years = 64%, 30 years = 80%).
- Enrolling after retirement: forms received February 10, 2026, coverage August 1, 2026.
- Working after retirement clock: stopped June 15, 2025, benefits resume July 1, 2025, no limit from December 15, 2025.
- The 1.5% × 30 and 35 years example at $35,000 (ORS rounds to $1,313 and $1,531; dated 2017 handbook).
Things to check with MPSERS
The sources don't settle these points. Each is labeled "Check with MPSERS" where it shows up. Here's what we do about each one.
Survivor option factors. ORS doesn't publish a current table of survivor option factors. Its online lookup tool works them out one case at a time. The only full tables we have are ORS's rounded 2017 samples.
We show the 2017 samples, labeled as dated, and ORS's one current example. Your miAccount estimate gives your real factors.
Whether the Basic/MIP option tables apply to Pension Plus and Pension Plus 2. No source gives survivor option factors for Pension Plus or Pension Plus 2.
For those plans we show the straight life amount only and send you to miAccount for survivor options.
Exact transition date and service before it. The 2012 changes started on your own 'transition date', the first pay period on or after Feb. 1, 2013, so it differs a little by district.
If you don't enter your years at 1.5%, we count full-time service from Feb. 1, 2013 at 1.25%. miAccount shows your exact split.
Current premium subsidy percentages and insurance rates. The share of your premium MPSERS pays is cited, but the current dollar premiums are on a rate sheet (R0072C) we don't have.
We show percentages only, no dollar premiums.
When an age counts as reached for the effective date. ORS's examples never show a birthday on the 1st of a month, so we can't confirm how that case is handled.
We start your pension on the 1st of the month after your birthday month, as the law and R0613C describe.
Which purchased credit triggers the age-46 minimum for MIP 30 years. For MIP members with 30 years, R0613C says anyone who bought service must be at least 46; ORS's web page and the law say this applies to universal buy-in credit.
If you enter purchased years that you need to reach 30, we apply the age-46 minimum.
Points still cited only to the May 2017 handbook (R0611C). A few details (what buying service costs, refund interest, some death and disability rules) are only in ORS's May 2017 handbook.
We show them labeled as dated. Check the current rules with ORS.
Where the sources disagree
Where ORS publications differ from each other or from the law, we follow the current ORS material and note it here.
- Brian's 1.5% portion is $19,660.59 in step 1 but $19,660.66 in step 3; the total $19,815.64 uses $19,660.59. Engine and tests use $19,660.59. Retirement Readiness (Dec. 2017, dated), p. 19
- Molly's 1.5% portion for 30 years is printed $18,843.75, but $41,875.37 x 0.015 x 30 = $18,843.92 (the booklet's figure equals $41,875.00 x 0.015 x 30). Formula gives $1,744.81 a month vs the booklet's $1,744.79; tests use the formula. Retirement Readiness (Dec. 2017, dated), p. 21
- Brian 'is 47 months away from reaching age 60' but the reduction is shown as 24% ($360 off $1,500); 47 x 0.5% = 23.5% ($352.50). Tests use 23.5%. 24% is what the fraction-of-a-month rule gives at 47 months plus some days. The ACFR (p. 26) confirms that partial months count ('each full and partial month'). Retirement Readiness (Dec. 2017, dated), p. 23
- The survivor pages start from $1,651.31 (Brian) and, for the 50% option, $1,672.41 (Molly), while p. 19 shows $1,651.30 and $1,672.40. Tests use each page's own starting figure. Retirement Readiness (Dec. 2017, dated), pp. 19, 26, 28, 30
- Engine gives $2,224.51 a month for the appendix example vs ORS's $2,224.52, and a simple 5-year average FAC of $76,755.17 vs $76,755.18; ORS divides aggregate pay by exact credited service (MCL 38.1304(12)). Tested within 2 cents. Planning Your Retirement (R0613C, 5/26), pp. 50-51
- ORS (Qualifying for Your Pension web page) says a deferred member with 30 years applies at 46 (MIP) or 55 (Basic). MCL 38.1382(1) gives 55 for a 30-year member who left before 55 and does not mention MIP. Official ORS material wins: the engine uses 46 for MIP. ORS web page: Qualifying for Your Pension, Deferred Retirement Provision; MCL 38.1382(1)
- Reconciled: R2053C's DC '5% with a 5% match plus 4%' equals the 2026-27 rate table's 3% DC + 2% PHF (member) and 3% maximum match + 2% PHF match plus 4% mandatory (employer); MCL 38.1431(6) gives a 100% match on the first 3% from Feb. 1, 2018. The ACFR (p. 25) describes the 2012-2018 DC plan's match as '50% ... up to 3% of salary'. Not used by the pension engine. MPSERS contribution rates for K-12, ISDs, charter schools, libraries and community colleges (R1078C Rev. 02/2026), effective Oct. 1, 2026 - Sept. 30, 2027, p. 1; Choosing Your Retirement Plan (R2053C Rev. 9/24), p. 8; MPSERS annual report FY2025, p. 25; MCL 38.1431(6)-(7)
- Older ORS publications say that where they differ from the law, the law governs. Per this project's rule, current official ORS material (R0613C Rev. 5/26, the ORS web pages, the ACFR) is followed over the statute, and each conflict is recorded here. Your Retirement Plan (R0611C, May 2017; dated), p. 2; New Hire Retirement Plan Election (R0940C, 9/2012), p. 2
- ACFR p. 29 still says members who kept the premium subsidy 'continue to annually contribute 3%', but ACFR p. 8, PSRU manual 6.03.03 and the 2026-27 rate table say that contribution ended Oct. 1, 2025 (PA 127 of 2024). This file uses 0% from Oct. 1, 2025. MPSERS annual report FY2025, pp. 8, 29; ORS employer manual 6.03.03, Pension Plus and Pension Plus 2 plans (last updated 10/01/2025), footnote; MPSERS contribution rates for K-12, ISDs, charter schools, libraries and community colleges (R1078C Rev. 02/2026), effective Oct. 1, 2026 - Sept. 30, 2027, p. 1
- R0613C Rev. 10/19 (p. 29) limited dependent children to Dec. 31 of the year they turn 19 (full-time students 25) and said the ACA age-26 rule did not apply; Rev. 5/26 (p. 29) covers children until the end of the month they turn 26. This file follows Rev. 5/26. Planning Your Retirement (R0613C Rev. 10/19), p. 29; Planning Your Retirement (R0613C, 5/26), p. 29
- R0613C p. 4: any purchased service credit means MIP 30-year retirement not before 46; ORS Qualifying page and MCL 38.1369f(3): universal buy-in credit. See needsValidation mip46-purchase-scope. Planning Your Retirement (R0613C, 5/26), p. 4; ORS web page: Qualifying for Your Pension, MIP Members; MCL 38.1369f(3)
- The 2026-27 table shows a Pension Plus 2 member DB rate of 6.00% and an employer pension normal cost of 6.20%, although the cost is described as split evenly. The member rate (6.00%) is used; employer rates are not used. MPSERS contribution rates for K-12, ISDs, charter schools, libraries and community colleges (R1078C Rev. 02/2026), effective Oct. 1, 2026 - Sept. 30, 2027, p. 1; ORS employer manual 6.03.03, Pension Plus and Pension Plus 2 plans (last updated 10/01/2025), Pension Plus 2 Plan
- R0613C Rev. 10/19 said the pension 'is subject to state and federal income tax'; Rev. 5/26 says it is subject to federal tax and 'may be subject to state income tax'. This file uses the Rev. 5/26 wording. Planning Your Retirement (R0613C Rev. 10/19), p. 45; Planning Your Retirement (R0613C, 5/26), p. 45
- The survivor lookup illustration prints the 50% row's straight life amount as '$1.833.33'; the other rows show $1,833.33. ORS web page: Survivor Option Factor Lookup
Sources
- Planning Your Retirement (R0613C), Michigan Office of Retirement Services Rev. 5/26 (main source)
- Michigan Public School Employees' Retirement System Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (prepared by ORS) Fiscal year ended Sept. 30, 2025 (posted March 2026); actuarial summary based on the Sept. 30, 2024 valuation
- ORS: Qualifying for Your Pension Saved by the user 2026-11-12
- ORS: Payment Options Saved by the user 2026-11-12
- ORS: Survivor Option Factor Lookup Saved by the user 2026-11-12
- ORS: Working After You Retire Saved by the user 2026-11-12
- PSRU: Public Act 147 of 2023 working after retirement FAQ (employer site) Saved by the user 2026-11-12
- PSRU Reporting Instruction Manual 6.03.03: Pension Plus and Pension Plus 2 plans (employer site) Last updated 10/01/2025; saved by the user 2026-11-12
- Public Act 147 of 2023 (Enrolled House Bill 4752), amending MCL 38.1361 Approved and effective Oct. 10, 2023
- MPSERS Member, Retiree and Employer Contribution Rates for K12 Districts, ISDs, Charter Schools/PSAs, Libraries, and Community Colleges (R1078C) Rev. 02/2026; effective Oct. 1, 2026 - Sept. 30, 2027
- Public School Employees Retirement Act of 1979 (1980 PA 300), MCL 38.1301 et seq. Rendered Nov. 11, 2026; Michigan Compiled Laws complete through PA 114 of 2026
- Your Retirement Plan: A Member Handbook for Michigan's Public School Employees (R0611C), for members who first worked before July 1, 2010 May 2017 (dated)
- Planning Your Retirement (R0613C) workbook, Basic and MIP members (superseded) Rev. 10/19 (back cover); appendix example dated 2018-2019
- Retirement Readiness: A Two-Year Countdown (R0613C), Basic and MIP members December 2017
- Choosing Your Retirement Plan: For new Michigan public school employees (R2053C), Pension Plus 2 vs DC Rev. 9/24 (for those who first worked on or after July 1, 2024)
- New Hire Retirement Plan Election (R0940C), Pension Plus vs DC, for those who first worked on or after Sept. 4, 2012 9/2012
- Retirement Plan Election Guide (R0606C), Pension Plus 2 vs DC Rev. 9/19
- Insurance Information: Public School Retirees (R0058C) Rev. 2/2020
- After retirement guide (R0614C) Rev. 9/20
- House Fiscal Agency / MDE testimony: MPSERS Retirement Plan Provisions (secondary) March 11, 2021
Page numbers are each booklet's printed page numbers. Web pages were saved on Nov. 12, 2026. Last reviewed Nov. 12, 2026.
Source: Planning Your Retirement (R0613C), Michigan Office of Retirement Services, Rev. 5/26, pp. 4, 9, 10, 11, 12-13, 13, 16-17, 19, 21, 29, 40-41, 45, 46, 50-51. ORS employer pages saved Nov. 12, 2026: Reporting Instruction Manual 6.03.03. MPSERS Annual Comprehensive Financial Report, FY ended Sept. 30, 2025, pp. 8, 25, 25-26, 26, 29. Michigan law, 1980 PA 300: MCL 38.1381d; MCL 38.1384b; MCL 38.1384; MCL 38.1383; MCL 38.1382; MCL 38.1431; MCL 38.1369f. Your Retirement Plan (R0611C), May 2017 (dated). ORS web pages saved Nov. 12, 2026: Qualifying for Your Pension; Survivor Option Factor Lookup. Retirement Readiness (R0613C), Dec. 2017 (dated), pp. 19, 21, 23, 26, 27, 28, 30, 100. ORS contribution rate table, Oct. 1, 2026 - Sept. 30, 2027 (R1078C Rev. 02/2026). Choosing Your Retirement Plan (R2053C), Rev. 9/24, p. 8. New Hire Retirement Plan Election (R0940C), 9/2012, p. 2. Planning Your Retirement (R0613C), Rev. 10/19 (superseded), pp. 29, 45. Last reviewed .
Social Security coverage of MPSERS members. The ORS sources we have don't say outright whether MPSERS jobs are covered by Social Security.
We don't estimate Social Security. Check your own Social Security statement.