State Public Pensions in Michigan
The Michigan Office of Retirement Services administers the state's public retirement programs — for state employees, public school employees, judges, state police, and National Guard members. Whether a survivor benefit continues depends on the payment option the retiree elected and on whether the member was active, deferred, or retired at death.
Steps to take when someone dies
State Public Pensions in Michigan: key facts
What Michigan says5
- Reporting a death
Report a death to ORS so pension payments stop and the record is reviewed. ORS asks for the member's Social Security number so it can stop pension payments and see whether anything more is payable.1
- Death after retirement
A straight life option provides no ongoing benefit after the retiree's death, though any contributions remaining on deposit are paid to the refund beneficiary in a lump sum.2
A 100%, 75%, or 50% survivor option continues that share of the pension for the lifetime of the named survivor pension beneficiary.3
- Health coverage and life insurance
Under a 100%, 75%, or 50% survivor option, group insurance continues for an eligible survivor.3
- Death before retirement
Under SERS, a vested member's survivor may receive a monthly benefit calculated as if the member had retired on the date of death and elected the 100% survivor option.4
Under MPSERS, a nonduty-death survivor pension requires 10 years of service (5 at age 60 or older) for MIP members, or 15 years (10 at age 60 or older) for Basic Plan members.5
- Line-of-duty death
Under SERS, on a work-related (duty) death, a surviving spouse and children under 21 are eligible for a survivor benefit regardless of the member's age or years of service.4
Under MPSERS, a duty-death survivor pension is payable regardless of age or service if a workers' compensation benefit is awarded.5
Governing law: MCL 38.1 et seq. (State Employees' Retirement Act, Act 240 of 1943); MCL 38.1301 et seq. (Public School Employees Retirement Act of 1979, Act 300 of 1980)
Retirement systems5
- Michigan State Employees' Retirement System (SERS)
State employees1
- Michigan Public School Employees' Retirement System (MPSERS)
Public school employees1
- Michigan State Police Retirement System
State police1
- Michigan Judges Retirement System
Judges1
- Michigan Military Retirement Provisions
National Guard members1
Sources5
- 1.Michigan Office of Retirement Services
- 2.What Your Survivors Should Know (Michigan State Employees Retirement System)
- 3.Survivor Options (Michigan Public School Employees Retirement System)
- 4.Beneficiary/Death Benefits (Michigan State Employees Retirement System)
- 5.Beneficiary/Death Benefits (Michigan Public School Employees Retirement System)
Michigan public pension benefits
Michigan Office of Retirement Services (ORS)
Phone
Lansing area
Hours
Website
Tools for Planning and Settling an Estate in Michigan
Free calculators and checklists for planning or settling an estate in Michigan: will and trust costs, probate, executor pay, and inheritance taxes.
How Do I Settle an Estate?
Settling an estate in Michigan: the personal representative files the estate inventory within 91 daysMCL 700.3706, 700.3707, 700.3708Verified Sep 15, 2026View source of appointment; creditors have 4 monthsMCL 700.3801, 700.3803, 700.3804, 700.3805, 700.3806; MCR 5.208, MCR 5.106Verified Oct 18, 2026View source to present claims; a simple estate closes in 5 months to 7 months.
Are My Beneficiary Designations Protected?
Michigan automatically revokes an ex-spouse as beneficiary at divorceMCL 700.2807Verified Sep 15, 2026View source; employer plans under ERISA follow federal rules either way, so a 401(k) beneficiary changes only by a new designation.
Who Inherits Without a Will?
Without a will in Michigan, a surviving spouse takes the first $301,000 plus half of the restMCL § 700.2102Verified Sep 10, 2026View source when every child of either spouse is a child of both, and descendants divide what passes to them per capita at each generationMCL § 700.2106Verified Sep 10, 2026View source.
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