The two repealed provisions impacted the Social Security benefits earned by many Michigan public employees.

Implementation of the changes will be in the hands of the Social Security Administration. MAPERS will update the membership on the progress as it occurs.

In the meantime, all Michigan public employees can rely on the general educational material available from the Social Security Administration (ssa.gov), including your personal Social Security Statement that is available to you online. In the eyes of Social Security, you will soon be the same as any other public or private sector worker.

PA 4 allows retirees to choose between the limitations on the deductibility of retirement and pension income as outlined in the Income Tax Act of 1967, or the new limitations as outlined in PA 4 of 2023. Depending on your financial situation, you may wish to contact your retirement system plan administrator to update your State tax withholding.

MAPERS does not give tax advice.  Please seek advice from a tax preparer or advisor to see how this bill applies to you based on your specific situation.  

MAPERS conferences are Michigan's premiere educational and networking event for trustees, plan administrators, and other retirement professionals.  Our conference includes three days of educational programming targeted to the needs of our members.  

Registration information coming soon!

Executive Order 2020-75

“During a time of crisis, it’s crucial that Michiganders have access to the information they need to stay safe. My administration is committed to ensuring that while also protecting public health and encouraging social distancing,” Governor Whitmer said. “This Executive Order encourages public bodies to respond to Freedom of Information Act requests in a timely manner and in the safest way possible.”

Under the Executive Order, a public body must respond to a request received at its physical office via U.S. mail or fax within 10 business days after an employee receives and views the request. If a request requires a search of physical records it will be deferred until after the state of emergency and disaster declared in Executive Order 2020-33 is lifted.

The Executive Order also requires public bodies to communicate in writing with the person filing the request if they are unable to fulfill the request without a search of physical public records. The person filing the request then has the option to amend their request to include electronic records only. If a public body is unable to fulfill a request in the timeframe they specified because of remote work and social distancing, then a written notice will be sent to the person filing the request to explain why there is a delay.

Information around this outbreak is changing rapidly. The latest information is available at Michigan.gov/Coronavirus and CDC.gov/Coronavirus.

To view executive order 2020-38, click the link below:

• EO 2020-38.pdf

Read memorandum HERE.

Under EO 2020-15, public bodies subject to the Open Meetings Act can use telephone or video conferencing technology to meet and conduct business. There must be a way for members of the body and the public to have two-way communication as well as a public comment period, the order says.