ORS example: Sherri, $2,399.93 straight life
The factors here are ORS's illustration, not Sherri's real ages. Planning Your Retirement (R0613C, 5/26), pp. 16-17, Sherri's survivor pension calculation example
ORS's current lookup example
A 55-year-old retiree with a 65-year-old beneficiary and a $22,000 yearly straight life pension ($1,833.33 a month):
| Option | Factor | Retiree | Survivor |
|---|---|---|---|
| 100% | 0.9320 | $1,708.67 | $1,708.67 |
| 75% | 0.9480 | $1,738 | $1,303.50 |
| 50% | 0.9650 | $1,769.17 | $884.59 |
ORS web page: Survivor Option Factor Lookup, illustration table
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.
The current ORS Survivor Option Factor Lookup is an interactive tool; the saved page has no table, only one illustration (55-year-old retiree, 65-year-old beneficiary: 0.9650 / 0.9480 / 0.9320). The only full tables are ORS's 2017 rounded estimates (Retirement Readiness pp. 27-31), shown on the site as dated illustrations.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.
The 2017 tables say they apply to MIP and Basic; the current lookup is labeled for MIP members; no source gives Pension Plus or Pension Plus 2 factors.The rules
- Survivor options are the actuarial equivalent of straight life, based on your and your beneficiary's ages. Planning Your Retirement (R0613C, 5/26), pp. 16-17; ORS web page: Survivor Option Factor Lookup; MCL 38.1385(1)
- A married member choosing anything other than the 100% survivor option naming the spouse needs the spouse's notarized waiver (R0869C). MCL 38.1385(3); Planning Your Retirement (R0613C, 5/26), pp. 17, 44
- If the beneficiary dies first, the pension increases to the straight life amount (full or early reduced), including post-retirement increases. Planning Your Retirement (R0613C, 5/26), pp. 16-17 ('If your beneficiary dies before you, your pension increases to the straight life amount (either full or early reduced)'); MCL 38.1385(4)
- Option and beneficiary cannot be changed after the retirement effective date, except: a retiree whose spouse-beneficiary died may name a new spouse 180 days - 1 year after remarriage; an unmarried retiree who marries may elect a survivor option for the new spouse in the same window; divorce orders can void the election. Planning Your Retirement (R0613C, 5/26), pp. 14-17; ORS web page: Payment Options; MCL 38.1385(3), (6), (8)-(11)
- If payments end before your accumulated contributions have been paid out, the difference goes to your refund beneficiary. Contributions are usually used up within two years. MCL 38.1385(7); Planning Your Retirement (R0613C, 5/26), p. 49
- Your pension is a lifetime benefit and cannot be cashed out once you retire. ORS web page: Payment Options
The equated plan
Coordinates with Social Security: a higher pension until 62, then permanently reduced. The pre-62 amount approximates the post-62 pension plus the estimated age-62 Social Security benefit. Not available if 61 or older at retirement or for a disability retirement. Can be combined with a survivor option. Planning Your Retirement (R0613C, 5/26), pp. 20-21, Equated plan; MCL 38.1385(2); Retirement Readiness (Dec. 2017, dated), pp. 32-33
Before 62: $1,570 pension + $551 advance = $2,121 a month.
From 62: $588 pension + $1,533 estimated Social Security = $2,121 a month.
Planning Your Retirement (R0613C, 5/26), p. 21, Equated pension reduction exampleRetiring early and choosing an option
Straight life after the early cut: $2,224.52 a month.
- 100% survivor (factor 0.808): $1,797.41
- 75% survivor (factor 0.849): $1,888.62
- 50% survivor (factor 0.894): $1,988.72
Related guides
Every option starts from your straight life amount, which comes from the pension formula and any early-retirement cut. What a family receives if you die before retiring is covered in Death and survivor benefits. A named survivor also keeps your retiree health coverage.
What the sources say
- You choose straight life (the largest monthly pension, nothing after your death) or a 100%, 75% or 50% survivor option, which pays you less but continues 100%, 75% or 50% of it to your beneficiary for life.MCL 38.1385(1); Planning Your Retirement (R0613C, 5/26), p. 16
- Your beneficiary must be a person: your spouse, child, brother, sister or parent. A trust can't be named.MCL 38.1385(3); Planning Your Retirement (R0613C, 5/26), p. 15
- If you are married and choose anything other than the 100% survivor option for your spouse, your spouse must sign a notarized waiver.MCL 38.1385(3); Planning Your Retirement (R0613C, 5/26), pp. 17, 44
- If your beneficiary dies before you, your pension goes up to the straight life amount.MCL 38.1385(4); Planning Your Retirement (R0613C, 5/26), p. 16
- Check with MPSERSORS's 2017 example tables (dated): a 57-year-old retiree with a 55-year-old spouse keeps about 86% (100% option), 89% (75%) or 92% (50%) of the straight life amount. Your actual factors come from ORS's lookup tool or miAccount.Retirement Readiness (Dec. 2017, dated), pp. 26-312017 rounded estimates; the current ORS lookup is an interactive tool with no table.
- The equated plan pays more until 62, then permanently less, so your pension plus Social Security stays about level. You can't choose it if you are 61 or older when you retire.MCL 38.1385(2); Planning Your Retirement (R0613C, 5/26), pp. 20-21
- You can't change your option or beneficiary after retirement starts, except in limited cases after remarriage or by divorce court order.MCL 38.1385(3), (6), (8)-(9); Planning Your Retirement (R0613C, 5/26), p. 17
- ORS's current survivor factor example: a 55-year-old retiree with a 65-year-old beneficiary and a $22,000 straight life pension keeps 96.5% under the 50% option, 94.8% under 75% and 93.2% under 100%.ORS web page: Survivor Option Factor Lookup, illustration
- Your pension is a lifetime benefit and can't be cashed out once you retire.ORS web page: Payment Options
Questions
What are the MPSERS payment options?
Straight life pays the most each month but stops when you die. The 100%, 75% and 50% survivor options pay you less so that your beneficiary keeps getting 100%, 75% or 50% of your pension for life after you die.
Who can be my survivor beneficiary?
A person: spouse, brother, sister, parent, child (including adopted). A trust can't be named. If you're married and don't pick the 100% option for your spouse, your spouse must sign a notarized waiver.
What happens if my beneficiary dies first?
If the beneficiary dies first, the pension increases to the straight life amount (full or early reduced), including post-retirement increases.
Can I change my option later?
Generally no. Your option and beneficiary are fixed once your pension starts, except in limited cases after remarriage or by a divorce court order.
What is the equated plan?
Coordinates with Social Security: a higher pension until 62, then permanently reduced. The pre-62 amount approximates the post-62 pension plus the estimated age-62 Social Security benefit. Not available if 61 or older at retirement or for a disability retirement. Can be combined with a survivor option.
See your options in the calculator →
Unofficial guide. MPSERS and the Office of Retirement Services decide your pension. Use ORS's lookup or your miAccount for your real factors.
Source: Planning Your Retirement (R0613C), Michigan Office of Retirement Services, Rev. 5/26, pp. 14-17, 15, 16, 16-17, 17, 20-21, 21, 44, 49, 50-51. Michigan law, 1980 PA 300: MCL 38.1385. ORS web pages saved Nov. 12, 2026: Survivor Option Factor Lookup; Payment Options. Retirement Readiness (R0613C), Dec. 2017 (dated), pp. 26-31, 32-33. Last reviewed .