After you retire
A named survivor gets the chosen share of the pension and the same insurance coverage for life. Under straight life, any contributions not yet paid out go to the refund beneficiary in a lump sum; they are usually used up within two years. Planning Your Retirement (R0613C, 5/26), p. 49, Death benefits
See Payment options for what each survivor option pays.
While you're still working
Calculated as if the member retired the day before death and chose the 100% survivor option. MPSERS annual report FY2025, p. 95, Nonduty Death Before Retirement; MCL 38.1389(1); MCL 38.1343c(c); Your Retirement Plan (R0611C, May 2017; dated), p. 34
| Plan | Years needed (under 60) | At 60 or older |
|---|---|---|
| Basic | 15 | 10 |
| MIP | 10 | 5 |
| Pension Plus | 10 | 10 |
| Pension Plus 2 | 10 | 10 |
- Duty death: Payable regardless of age or service if workers' compensation is awarded; at least 10 years credited in the calculation. MPSERS annual report FY2025, p. 95, Duty Death Before Retirement; Your Retirement Plan (R0611C, May 2017; dated), p. 35
- Health coverage after a duty death: Survivors of a duty death get subsidized insurance at the maximum (80%), even for Personal Healthcare Fund members (whose employer PHF match is then forfeited). Your Retirement Plan (R0611C, May 2017; dated), pp. 35-36; MCL 38.1391a(3)
- No beneficiary named: While active with no designation: lifetime benefit to an eligible spouse; otherwise to unmarried minor children until 18. Your Retirement Plan (R0611C, May 2017; dated), p. 33
- No monthly benefit payable: If no monthly benefit is payable, remaining DB contributions with interest go to the refund beneficiary in a lump sum. Your Retirement Plan (R0611C, May 2017; dated), pp. 33, 35
If you left before retiring
Survivor pension (100% option) begins when the member would have been eligible, if 10 years (MIP) / 15 years (Basic) and a beneficiary was named before leaving employment; the default provision does not apply to deferred members. MCL 38.1382(2); Your Retirement Plan (R0611C, May 2017; dated), pp. 36-37
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.
Service credit purchase types and costs, pay-period caps other than weekly/biweekly, refund interest, the default survivor provision, and some disability details have no newer saved source.Related guides
The survivor option you pick at retirement decides what your family gets later; see Payment options for the dollars. MIP survivors also share in the yearly increase. If you leave before retiring, name a beneficiary before your job ends; see Leaving early.
What the sources say
- If an active MIP member dies with 10 years of service (5 if 60 or older), an eligible survivor gets a pension figured as if the member retired the day before death with the 100% survivor option. Basic members need 15 years (10 at 60).MPSERS annual report FY2025, p. 95, Nonduty Death Before Retirement; MCL 38.1389(1); Your Retirement Plan (R0611C, May 2017; dated), p. 34
- A duty-related death pays a survivor pension at any age or service if workers' compensation is awarded, using at least 10 years of service.MPSERS annual report FY2025, p. 95, Duty Death Before Retirement; Your Retirement Plan (R0611C, May 2017; dated), p. 35
- If no monthly benefit is payable, your remaining pension contributions go to your refund beneficiary in a lump sum.Your Retirement Plan (R0611C, May 2017; dated), p. 33
- If you die as a retiree, only the survivor you named under a survivor option gets a monthly pension, plus the same insurance coverage for life.Planning Your Retirement (R0613C, 5/26), p. 49, Death benefits
- Pension Plus and Pension Plus 2 members who die while working with 10 years of service leave a survivor pension figured as a 100% survivor option.MPSERS annual report FY2025, p. 95, Nonduty Death Before Retirement
Questions
What happens to my MPSERS pension when I die as a retiree?
Only a survivor you named under a 100%, 75% or 50% survivor option gets a monthly pension, plus the same insurance coverage for life. Under straight life, any of your contributions not yet paid out go to your refund beneficiary.
What if a member dies while still working?
An eligible survivor gets a pension figured as if the member retired the day before death and chose the 100% survivor option. It takes 10 years of service for MIP (5 at 60 or older), 15 for Basic (10 at 60 or older), and 10 for Pension Plus and Pension Plus 2.
What should a family do first?
Call the Office of Retirement Services at 800-381-5111 to report the death.
Unofficial guide. MPSERS and the Office of Retirement Services decide survivor benefits. Phone: 800-381-5111. Planning Your Retirement (R0613C, 5/26), back cover, Ways to reach ORS ('Phone: 800–381–5111')
Source: Planning Your Retirement (R0613C), Michigan Office of Retirement Services, Rev. 5/26, pp. 16-17, 49. MPSERS Annual Comprehensive Financial Report, FY ended Sept. 30, 2025, pp. 95. Michigan law, 1980 PA 300: MCL 38.1389; MCL 38.1343c; MCL 38.1382; MCL 38.1391a; MCL 38.1385. Your Retirement Plan (R0611C), May 2017 (dated). Last reviewed .