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Here’s your June Connections newsletter in its new format to be read in your email.
The Michigan Office of Retirement Services (ORS) has also enhanced — and continues to improve — our websites, miAccount, documents, emails, social media, YouTube videos, instructional modules, and Voya Financial‑managed State of Michigan 401(k) and 457 Plans.
Our ongoing efforts highlight our commitment to make the retirement journey more readily accessible for you and everyone we serve.
Anthony Estell, executive director
Michigan Office of Retirement Services
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Jane and Les Hall admit their calendar overflows, even after 60 years of marriage.
“Our year is 16 months long,” Les said. “Our life is pretty darn good. We’re active. We meet lots of people.”
Both enjoy bird‑watching, travel, and camping. Jane, 82, gardens, knits, and makes greeting cards. Les, 81, runs a woodworking store and pumpkin patch, restores old items, and is an associate pastor at church.
Retired after 30-plus years with Atlanta Community Schools in Michigan, they have two children, five grandchildren, and two great‑grandchildren. They spend seven months at their 40-acre home in Atlanta, Michigan, and five months in Texas, visiting their daughter's family and volunteering as state park bird tour naturalists.
“When we first got married, we started planning for retirement. … That was always part of our plan,” Les said of their Michigan public school pensions.
“We’re thankful for it,” Jane said.
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ORS earned national recognition for two major efforts.
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Eddy Awards: ORS and Voya earned third place in the Pensions & Investments Eddy Awards, a long-standing national program recognizing excellence in retirement education. The judges and independent panel of plan sponsors and consultants honored the “How Do I …?” campaign for its clear, targeted guidance that improved participant understanding of their retirement plan as well as taking specific actions.
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Blue Pencil & Gold Screen Awards: ORS also earned third place for the creative “Scare Proof Your Retirement” campaign from the National Association of Government Communicators. The campaign was active in October during National Retirement Security Month and used a Halloween scary movie theme to boost financial wellness engagement.
Both awards reflect ORS’ commitment to accessible, impactful retirement education.
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Get clear, practical guidance on Social Security and Medicare in a free pre-retirement webinar by the Social Security Administration. Learn when to claim benefits, avoid common mistakes, and plan confidently for the future. Space is limited, so create your my Social Security account and select your preferred date below to register (all times Eastern):
- Thursday, July 9, 3-4 p.m.
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Tuesday, July 14, 11 a.m.-noon.
- Wednesday, July 22, 6-7 p.m.
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Tuesday, Aug. 11, 11 a.m.-noon.
- Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2-3 p.m.
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ORS has updated the email address we use to contact you. From now on, our messages will come from ORS@govsubscriptions.michigan.gov.
This change helps us continue sending you information securely and reliably. You can trust that messages from this new address are official communications from ORS. Please add it to your safe senders list to ensure you continue receiving important updates without interruption. Not doing so may place our emails to you in a spam or junk folder, depending on your email client.
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Pension payments are sent on the 25th of each month. If the 25th falls on a weekend or holiday, you'll receive your payment on the business day before. If your payment does not appear in your account within three days after the payment date, contact your bank first. Then contact ORS if needed.
Upcoming pension pay dates:
Friday, July 24
Tuesday, Aug. 25
Friday, Sept. 25
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July 3: Independence Day
Sept. 7: Labor Day
Nov. 3: Election Day
Nov. 11: Veterans Day
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Tell ORS right away if any of this personal information changes: your address, email, tax withholding, direct deposit, death, divorce, marriage, or Medicare information. The fastest, easiest way to report these and other life events is through miAccount. |
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