Michigan · Free tool
Michigan Teacher Pension Calculator
The Michigan Public School Employees' Retirement System (MPSERS) calculates your pension as 1.5% multiplied by your years of service multiplied by your final average compensation. Enter your numbers below for an estimate.
Enter your numbers. The percentage is pre-filled with the Michigan MPSERS factor that fits most members; adjust it for your tier or plan.
MPSERS uses a 1.5% factor on final average compensation. FAC is your highest 3 consecutive years (MIP) or 5 consecutive years (Basic / Pension Plus 2). New hires since 2018 default to a defined-contribution plan unless they elect Pension Plus 2. Confirm your plan with Michigan ORS.
Your estimated Michigan MPSERS pension
Updates as you type.
Educational estimate only, not financial advice. Uses a simplified Michigan MPSERS formula and your inputs; your real benefit varies by tier, plan, service, and salary rules.
How the Michigan MPSERS formula works
MPSERS uses a 1.5% pension factor: 1.5% per year of service, multiplied by your final average compensation. Thirty years of service is worth about 45% of your final average compensation. This applies to the defined-benefit portion of the plan.
Final average compensation depends on your plan. MIP members average their 3 highest consecutive years; Basic and Pension Plus 2 members average their 5 highest. Since February 2018, new hires default to a defined-contribution plan unless they elect Pension Plus 2, so newer teachers may have a smaller pension plus a separate DC account this calculator does not include. Michigan teachers also pay into Social Security. Use the full Teacher Retirement Calculator to combine your pension with your 403(b)/457(b) and Social Security, or read what the WEP and GPO repeal means for teachers.
Questions
How is a Michigan MPSERS pension calculated?
MPSERS multiplies 1.5% by your years of service by your final average compensation. For example, 30 years at a $70,000 final average compensation is 1.5% × 30 × $70,000 = $31,500 per year, about 45% of that salary.
What counts as final average compensation in MPSERS?
It depends on your plan. MIP members average their 3 highest consecutive years of earnings; Basic and Pension Plus 2 members average their 5 highest consecutive years. The averaging period directly affects your benefit, so confirm which plan you are in with Michigan ORS.
Do Michigan teachers get Social Security?
Yes. Michigan public school employees pay into Social Security, so most receive an MPSERS pension and a Social Security benefit. Teachers in the Pension Plus or defined-contribution plans also have a separate retirement account to coordinate.