Which MPSERS Plan Am I In? Basic, MIP, Pension Plus or DC

Find your plan

Date you first worked for a Michigan public school

The five plans at a glance

Basic Plan

First worked: Before Jan. 1, 1990 (and never elected MIP)
Pay averaged: Highest 5 years
Full pension: 55 with 30 years, or 60 with 10
Early pension?: Yes, at 55 with 15+ years
Yearly increase: None scheduled

Member Investment Plan (MIP)

First worked: Jan. 1, 1990 - June 30, 2010 (or elected MIP)
Pay averaged: Highest 3 years
Full pension: Any age with 30 years, or 60 with 10
Early pension?: Yes, at 55 with 15+ years
Yearly increase: 3% of the first pension, each Oct. 1

Pension Plus (hybrid)

First worked: July 1, 2010 - Jan. 31, 2018
Pay averaged: Highest 5 years
Full pension: 60 with 10 years
Early pension?: No
Yearly increase: None

Pension Plus 2 (hybrid)

First worked: Feb. 1, 2018 or later, if chosen (the default from July 1, 2024)
Pay averaged: Highest 5 years
Full pension: 60 with 10 years
Early pension?: No
Yearly increase: None

Defined Contribution (DC) only

First worked: Sept. 4, 2012 or later, if chosen (the default Feb. 1, 2018 - June 30, 2024)
Pay averaged: —
Full pension: No pension
Early pension?: —
Yearly increase: —

Sources: Planning Your Retirement (R0613C, 5/26), p. 4, Basic Plan; Your Retirement Plan (R0611C, May 2017; dated), p. 7 MPSERS annual report FY2025, pp. 24-25, Pension Reform 2010 and 2012; MCL 38.1381c(1), (6)(a); MCL 38.1381d(1)-(3) MPSERS annual report FY2025, p. 28 ('Pension Plus members do not receive an annual post-retirement increase'); p. 95 ('Retired under Pension Plus or Pension Plus 2: no increases'); MCL 38.1343c

If you were hired on or after Sept. 4, 2012

New hires get 75 days from the last day of the first pay period (first payroll date) to choose. The choice can't be undone. If you didn't choose, the default depends on when you started:

September 4, 2012 to January 31, 2018: Pension Plus (hybrid) by default; you could choose Defined Contribution (DC) only. MPSERS annual report FY2025, p. 25 ('automatically enrolled as members in the Pension Plus plan'); MCL 38.1381d(3)
February 1, 2018 to June 30, 2024: Defined Contribution (DC) only by default; you could choose Pension Plus 2 (hybrid). ORS employer manual 6.03.03, Pension Plus and Pension Plus 2 plans (last updated 10/01/2025), Pension Plus 2 Plan; MPSERS annual report FY2025, p. 25; MCL 38.1381d(4)
July 1, 2024 to today: Pension Plus 2 (hybrid) by default; you could choose Defined Contribution (DC) only. ORS employer manual 6.03.03, Pension Plus and Pension Plus 2 plans (last updated 10/01/2025), Pension Plus 2 Plan ('will remain in the Pension Plus 2 Plan if they do not make an election within 75 days'); MPSERS annual report FY2025, p. 25; MCL 38.1381d(6)

Basic and MIP members: your 2012 reform choice

In late 2012, Basic and MIP members chose how their future service would count. Your choice sets your "pension factor," shown on your miAccount:

Kept contributions as they were: 1.5% before the transition date, 1.25% after. MPSERS annual report FY2025, pp. 25-26, Option 3; Planning Your Retirement (R0613C, 5/26), p. 11, Your pension factor; MCL 38.1359(2)(a); MCL 38.1384b(1)-(2)
Raised contributions to keep 1.5% for the whole career (Basic 4%, MIP 7%). MPSERS annual report FY2025, pp. 25-26, Option 1; Planning Your Retirement (R0613C, 5/26), p. 11; MCL 38.1359(1); MCL 38.1343g(1); MCL 38.1384b(8)
Raised contributions to keep 1.5% until 30 years (attainment date), then 1.25% and old contribution rate. MPSERS annual report FY2025, pp. 25-26, Option 2; MCL 38.1359(1); MCL 38.1384b(5)-(6), (9)
Froze the pension and moved to DC (Basic DC Converted, MIP DC Converted). MPSERS annual report FY2025, p. 26, Option 4 ('FAC as of transition date × years of service as of transition date × 1.5%'); MCL 38.1359(2)(b); MCL 38.1384b(3)-(4)

The change started on your own transition date, the first pay period on or after February 1, 2013. MPSERS annual report FY2025, p. 29, Retiree Healthcare Reform of 2012; p. 94, Transition Date; Planning Your Retirement (R0613C, 5/26), pp. 50-51, Appendix (Transition Date 02/06/2013); MCL 38.1384b(1)

Not settled in the sources Check with MPSERS

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.

Defined as the first day of the pay period beginning on or after Feb. 1, 2013 (ACFR p. 29), so it differs by payroll. If the user doesn't enter service before it, the engine assumes full-time service from Feb. 1, 2013 to retirement counts at 1.25%.

Pension Plus and Pension Plus 2: the savings part

Pension Plus and Pension Plus 2 savings (DC) part: 2.0% member contribution (can be changed, even to 0%; above 2% in whole percents) with an employer match of 50% of the member percent, up to 1.0%. ORS employer manual 6.03.03, Pension Plus and Pension Plus 2 plans (last updated 10/01/2025), Examples of Defined Contribution employer matching; 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; MPSERS annual report FY2025, p. 24

What your plan means for you

Once you know your plan, the pension formula guide shows how your pay average and years turn into a monthly check. Basic and MIP members can also retire early with a reduced pension; Pension Plus and Pension Plus 2 members can't. Your plan also decides your retiree health benefit and whether you get a yearly increase. To see an example, try the calculator with a MIP member hired in 1996.

What the sources say

If you first worked for a Michigan public school before Jan. 1, 1990 and never elected the Member Investment Plan (MIP), you are in the Basic Plan.Planning Your Retirement (R0613C, 5/26), p. 4, Basic Plan; ORS web page: Qualifying for Your Pension
If you first worked on or after Jan. 1, 1990 but before July 1, 2010 (or elected MIP during an enrollment period), you are in the Member Investment Plan (MIP).Planning Your Retirement (R0613C, 5/26), p. 4, MIP
If you first worked between July 1, 2010 and Jan. 31, 2018, you are in Pension Plus, a hybrid of a pension and a 401(k)/457 savings account, unless you were hired on or after Sept. 4, 2012 and chose the DC plan within 75 days.MPSERS annual report FY2025, pp. 24-25; MCL 38.1381c(1); MCL 38.1381d(1)-(3)
If you first worked between Feb. 1, 2018 and June 30, 2024, you chose Pension Plus 2 or the DC plan; if you made no choice, you are in the DC plan.ORS employer manual 6.03.03, Pension Plus 2 Plan; MPSERS annual report FY2025, p. 25; MCL 38.1381d(4)
If you first worked on or after July 1, 2024, you are in Pension Plus 2 unless you chose the DC plan within 75 calendar days of the last day of your first pay period. The choice cannot be changed.ORS employer manual 6.03.03, Pension Plus 2 Plan; MPSERS annual report FY2025, p. 25; MCL 38.1381d(6)
The DC plan has no pension. Your retirement income is what builds up in your State of Michigan 401(k) and 457 accounts.Choosing Your Retirement Plan (R2053C Rev. 9/24), p. 5
In the 2012 reform, Basic and MIP members chose one of four paths: keep paying the same and get 1.25% for service after the transition date (about Feb. 1, 2013); pay 4% (Basic) or 7% (MIP) to keep 1.5% for the whole career; pay the higher rate only until 30 years; or freeze the pension and move to the DC plan.MCL 38.1359(1)-(2); MCL 38.1384b; Your Retirement Plan (R0611C, May 2017; dated), pp. 11-13, 20
Your miAccount shows your benefit structure, pension factor and retiree healthcare plan.Your Retirement Plan (R0611C, May 2017; dated), p. 7; Planning Your Retirement (R0613C, 5/26), p. 11
In the DC plan there is no pension to estimate: your retirement money is your 401(k) and 457 balance.Choosing Your Retirement Plan (R2053C Rev. 9/24), p. 5; MCL 38.1381d(5)
Pension Plus and Pension Plus 2 are hybrids: a pension plus a savings account. You put 2% of pay in the savings part (you can change it) and your employer matches half of what you put in, up to 1%.ORS employer manual 6.03.03, Examples of Defined Contribution employer matching

Questions

How do I know which MPSERS plan I'm in?

Your plan depends mostly on the date you first worked for a Michigan public school, and on any choice you made when you were hired or in the 2012 reform. Your miAccount shows your benefit structure, pension factor and retiree healthcare plan.

What's the difference between Pension Plus and Pension Plus 2?

Both are hybrids: a pension of 1.5% × your 5-year average pay × your years, plus a savings account. Both start at 60 with 10 years and have no yearly increase. Pension Plus 2 members share the plan's cost with employers, so their contribution rate can change each year.

I'm in the DC plan. Do I get a pension?

No. The DC plan has no pension. Your retirement income is what builds up in your State of Michigan 401(k) and 457 accounts, plus your Personal Healthcare Fund.

Estimate your pension →

Unofficial guide. Not affiliated with MPSERS or the Office of Retirement Services.

Source: Planning Your Retirement (R0613C), Michigan Office of Retirement Services, Rev. 5/26, pp. 4, 10, 11, 50-51. Your Retirement Plan (R0611C), May 2017 (dated). MPSERS Annual Comprehensive Financial Report, FY ended Sept. 30, 2025, pp. 24, 24-25, 25, 25-26, 26, 29, 94. Michigan law, 1980 PA 300: MCL 38.1381c; MCL 38.1381d; MCL 38.1359; MCL 38.1384b; MCL 38.1343g; MCL 38.1304. ORS employer pages saved Nov. 12, 2026: Reporting Instruction Manual 6.03.03. Choosing Your Retirement Plan (R2053C), Rev. 9/24, pp. 3-4, 5. ORS web pages saved Nov. 12, 2026: Qualifying for Your Pension. ORS contribution rate table, Oct. 1, 2026 - Sept. 30, 2027 (R1078C Rev. 02/2026). Last reviewed Nov. 12, 2026.