When to Contact ORS

Address Change

Be sure that ORS knows your current mailing address (even if you use EFT for your pension payments) at all times so that you receive your statements and other important notices. 

If you use EFT, you can change your address by emailing, writing, visiting, or phoning ORS. We'll need your social security number (and the retiree's number, if you are receiving a survivor benefit), along with both your old and new address. 

Note: If your checks are mailed to you, we must have a written request to change your address. Send us a signed letter or use the Name and Address Change (R0357X) form. In most cases, if we receive your request by the first day of the month, your next check will be redirected. 

We will notify your insurance carriers of your address change; however, it may take up to 30 days before the insurance carrier can take action. If you're insured by an HMO, ask to speak with an ORS insurance representative because an address change could affect your coverage. 

See EFT Change if you are changing your EFT account.

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Birth

Ordinarily, the birth or adoption of a child after you retire will not affect your pension. However, if you wish to enroll your child in your insurance plans, you should submit the Insurance Change Request (R0452X) form within 30 days of the event.

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Death

Death of member. Upon your death, your personal representative (family member, executor) should contact ORS as quickly as possible. We will need your social security number and a copy of the death certificate. We will stop your payments and review the record to see if anything more is payable. 

Death of survivor pension beneficiary. If you elected a survivor option and your pension beneficiary predeceases you, notify ORS and provide a copy of the death certificate. Your pension will "pop up" to the full (unreduced) straight life pension. If you elected the equated plan and your beneficiary dies before you, your benefit will revert to the straight life equated amount.

If any person receiving a survivor benefit dies, contact ORS immediately. We will need the social security number of the beneficiary who was receiving benefits, along with a copy of the death certificate.

Death of insurance dependent. If anyone enrolled as a dependent in your health, dental, or vision insurance plan dies, report the death immediately using the Insurance Change Request (R0452X) form. Send a copy of the death certificate along with the completed form to ORS.

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Disability Retirement

If you are receiving a disability retirement, you should notify ORS if your condition improves. 

If you are thinking about working and are under age 60, you must first gain approval from the Michigan Public School Employees Retirement Board. If the board approves your return to work, you will be subject to an earnings limitation. This means that if your earnings exceed the limit set each year by statute, you will have to pay back any excess amount. Click here for an example of an earnings limitation. Be sure to contact ORS in advance if you're a disability retiree under age 60 considering employment. We will give you more information about preapproval rules and the earnings limitation at that time. 

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Divorce

A divorce will not affect your pension unless you elected a survivor option and then divorce after retirement. You can change your option to a straight life pension provided ORS receives a court order to make the change. Contact ORS for advice in this situation.

If your former spouse is enrolled as a dependent in your health, dental, or vision insurance plan, his or her eligibility will cease. Report the divorce immediately using the Insurance Change Request (R0452X) form. Include a copy of your divorce decree.

Since we cannot adjust your insurance premiums until we receive your Insurance Change Request and because we cannot refund excess insurance premiums, be sure to send this form in as soon as possible.

A divorce could mean you need to change your address or name. Use the Name and Address Change form to do so.  

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EFT Change 

If you want to sign up for EFT or change your EFT bank account, complete an Electronic Funds Transfer (R0277X) Application . Ordinarily, if we receive your request by the first day of the month, your next payment should be deposited to your new account. However, don't close your old account until your pension payment has been successfully deposited in your new account.

If you want to cancel your EFT authorization, submit an EFT application, or you can submit a written request to ORS; Include your name, mailing address, social security number, and signature. Do not close your account until you receive your pension payment at your mailing address.

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Employment 

See Working After You Retire. 

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Marriage

Marriage of member. Currently, if you marry after your retirement pension begins, there is no need to report the marriage because your payments will not be affected. 

However, Public Act 617, which takes effect January 1, 2009, may allow you to name a new spouse as a pension beneficiary. Special rules and time limits apply.

If you wish to enroll your new spouse in your insurances, complete the Insurance Change Request (R0452X) form. If you submit the form and a copy of your marriage certificate to ORS within 30 days, coverage will begin the first day of the month after we receive the completed enrollment forms (the ordinary 6-month waiting period is waived).

A marriage could mean that you need to change your address or name using the Name and Address Change (R0357X) form.

Marriage of survivor pension beneficiary. If you are receiving a survivor pension on the account of a deceased public school retiree, you don't need to report your marriage because your pension will continue as usual. Your new spouse can receive insurance coverage. 

However, the retirement system will not subsidize the insurance premium for the new spouse as it does for the survivor. 

Marriage of insurance dependent. Only unmarried dependents are eligible for insurance coverage. If anyone enrolled on your contract as an insurance dependent marries, you must notify ORS immediately. Use the Insurance Change Request form.

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Medicare 

A few months before you're eligible for Medicare, the Social Security Administration will send you a Medicare card and automatically enroll you in Part A-Hospital Insurance and Part B-Medical Insurance. However, because Part B has a premium, you'll be given the option of turning it down. Do not turn it down.

Click here to learn how Medicare eligibility affects your health insurance coverage.

Once your Medicare insurance begins you should see a significant decrease in the amount of your health plan premiums. Because you cannot be reimbursed retroactively for any premiums deducted, be sure to notify ORS immediately if you believe your premium amount was not adjusted properly.

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Missing Payment

Notify ORS after 3 days if your regular EFT payment has not been deposited to your account. If your pension check doesn't arrive in the mail by the 7th day of the month after its due date (ordinarily the 25th of each month), contact ORS. 

If you receive your check and then it is lost, stolen, or destroyed, contact ORS immediately. We will issue a stop payment on the check and send you an affidavit for your signature. When you return the affidavit, the Department of Treasury will cancel the original check and issue a replacement.

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Social Security

You don't need to notify ORS when your social security payments begin because it will not affect your pension. If you elected the equated plan option, remember that your pension will be reduced when you turn age 62 regardless of how much your social security benefit is, or when it begins. The reduction in your pension is based on the social security estimate you provided when you applied for your pension. 

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Taxes

You can change your federal tax withholding rate at any time by sending ORS an updated Pension Recipient's Federal Income Tax Withholding Authorization (R0012X) . 

Your pension is exempt from Michigan and local income taxes. If you live outside of Michigan, check the state and local tax regulations in your area.

Each January, ORS will send you a federal form 1099R so you can file your income tax returns. This statement shows how much was paid to you during the year in pension benefits, as well as how much was withheld in taxes. If you don't receive yours by February 10, contact ORS so we can mail a duplicate statement.

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