Vested: a deferred pension
Vested (10+ years) and left before eligibility: pension payable at 60. With 30+ years at termination: apply at 46 (MIP) or 55 (Basic). Deferred members cannot take the early reduced pension. ORS web page: Qualifying for Your Pension, Deferred Retirement Provision ('If you already had 30 YOS at the time you terminated employment, you should apply as soon as you meet the minimum age requirement — age 46 for MIP and age 55 for the Basic Plan'); Planning Your Retirement (R0613C, 5/26), p. 6; MPSERS annual report FY2025, p. 26; MCL 38.1382(1)
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 refund
If you leave before meeting age and service for a pension, you may request a refund of your accumulated DB contributions, payable within 90 days of the application; you forfeit the related service and insurance subsidy eligibility. MPSERS annual report FY2025, p. 24 ('A refund cancels a former member's rights to future benefits'); MCL 38.1365(1)-(2); Your Retirement Plan (R0611C, May 2017; dated), pp. 14-15; Choosing Your Retirement Plan (R2053C Rev. 9/24), p. 6
Regular DB contributions earn a statutorily set rate credited each fiscal year end; purchased-service and pre-1974 after-tax contributions earn 6%. Your Retirement Plan (R0611C, May 2017; dated), p. 14
Refunded service can be restored by repaying the refund plus interest. Your Retirement Plan (R0611C, May 2017; dated), pp. 27-28
Members who paid the 3% retiree health contribution (eliminated from Oct. 1, 2025) and never qualify for a subsidy can, at 60 or older, get it back as a supplemental payment over 60 months. MPSERS annual report FY2025, pp. 29-30; MCL 38.1391a(8)
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.DC and the hybrid savings part
Your own contributions are always 100% yours. Employer money vests on this schedule: Choosing Your Retirement Plan (R2053C Rev. 9/24), p. 6; New Hire Retirement Plan Election (R0940C, 9/2012), p. 6
| Years of service | Employer money that's yours |
|---|---|
| Under 2 | 0% |
| 2+ | 50% |
| 3+ | 75% |
| 4+ | 100% |
Related guides
A deferred pension uses the same pension formula, with your pay and service when you left. Your retiree health subsidy as a deferred member depends on your years. If you might come back, repaying a refund can restore the service.
What the sources say
- Basic, MIP, Pension Plus and Pension Plus 2 members are vested (guaranteed a future pension) with 10 years of service.Planning Your Retirement (R0613C, 5/26), p. 4; ORS web page: Qualifying for Your Pension, When You're Vested; MPSERS annual report FY2025, p. 94, Deferred Retirement
- If you leave before you qualify for a pension, you can ask for a refund of your pension contributions with interest, but you give up the service and any insurance subsidy.MPSERS annual report FY2025, p. 24; MCL 38.1365; Your Retirement Plan (R0611C, May 2017; dated), p. 14; Choosing Your Retirement Plan (R2053C Rev. 9/24), p. 6
- If you are vested when you leave, name your pension beneficiary before your job ends; you can't add one while deferred.Your Retirement Plan (R0611C, May 2017; dated), p. 15
- In the DC plan and the savings part of the hybrids, your own contributions are always yours; employer contributions are 50% yours after 2 years, 75% after 3 and 100% after 4.Choosing Your Retirement Plan (R2053C Rev. 9/24), p. 6
Questions
When am I vested in MPSERS?
With 10 years of service in Basic, MIP, Pension Plus and Pension Plus 2. MIP members can also qualify at 60 with 5 years if still working.
What happens to my pension if I leave before retirement age?
If you're vested, you can leave your money in and take a deferred pension at 60. You need at least 10 years. With 30 years when you leave, you can apply at 46 (MIP) or 55 (Basic). Deferred members can't take the early reduced pension.
Can I get a refund of my contributions?
If you leave before you qualify for a pension, you can ask for your pension contributions back with interest, paid within 90 days. You give up the service and any future pension.
Estimate a deferred pension (tick "already left") →
Unofficial guide. MPSERS and the Office of Retirement Services decide your benefits.
Source: Planning Your Retirement (R0613C), Michigan Office of Retirement Services, Rev. 5/26, pp. 4, 6. ORS web pages saved Nov. 12, 2026: Qualifying for Your Pension. MPSERS Annual Comprehensive Financial Report, FY ended Sept. 30, 2025, pp. 24, 26, 29-30, 94. New Hire Retirement Plan Election (R0940C), 9/2012, pp. 6. Choosing Your Retirement Plan (R2053C), Rev. 9/24, pp. 6. Michigan law, 1980 PA 300: MCL 38.1382; MCL 38.1365; MCL 38.1391a. Your Retirement Plan (R0611C), May 2017 (dated). Last reviewed .