Retirement Matters
State Employees Retirement Fund
Michigan Treasury Bureau of Investments
2025 |
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Many of us think of Medicaid as the program that pays for the health care for low-income individuals. It is the largest provider of health insurance in the U.S., covering one in five Americans and... |
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The U.S Household Net Worth (or assets less liabilities) reached a new peak in 2024 as the unemployment rate and household debt were near record lows. This gain was not shared equally within the U.S. economy, due to the wealth gap, as reported by... |
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Federal employees have been fired to cut waste and fraud. Consider the advice of Deep Throat, a character in the movie “All the President’s Men,” who said, “Follow the money.” The cost of all federal workers... |
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You may have heard the phrase that — “We stand on the shoulders of those that came before us.” This is never so true as today... |
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2024 |
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On October 24, 2024, Michigan Attorney General (AG) Dana Nessel filed a lawsuit against OptumRx and ExpressScripts PBMs for their role in the Opioid Epidemic in Michigan. In 2022, Michigan reported 2,998 overdose-related deaths. This followed a pattern of increased... |
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The SS COLA is estimated to increase by 2.5 percent, according to the nonprofit Senior Citizens League. COLA is tied to the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers... |
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Discussion of Social Security (SS) Taxation continues from the August 2024 SERA-Nade... |
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Most Michigan Defined Benefit state employee retirees receive a significant portion of their financial resources from SS, Medicare, and a State pension. Make time to learn about... |
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In May, the most recent annual Social Security Trust Fund report said that unless changes were made, Social Security benefits would be cut by about 20 percent beginning in 2033... |
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The good news is that State Employee Retirement System (SERS) pension investments have performed well. The ten-year time-weighted rate of return is 9 percent as of 12/31/2023. In addition, SERS returns substantially beat their public plan peers, across all longer time periods... |
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At the SERA Lansing Chapter General Membership meeting on March 6, 2024, Anthony Estell, Director of the Office of Retirement Services (ORS), and Allison Wardlaw, ORS Plan Development and Compliance Director, presented... |
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Most State of Michigan, Defined Benefit state employee retirees depend on financial support from their State pension, Social Security, and Medicare. However, policy changes have weakened our retirement infrastructure... |
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The significant news at this December’s State of Michigan Investment Board (SMIB) meeting was that, in 2023, Michigan paid off the pensions for the Michigan Public School Employees... |
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This discussion is continued from the December SERA-Nade. Many retirees equivocate on whether the inflation-adjusted increases in LTC insurance premiums are affordable... |
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2023 |
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Long Term Care (LTC) insurance pays for nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and home care. Some State employee retirees received a letter in early November 2023 from Prudential LTC insurance notifying them that... |
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Most Defined Benefit state employee retirees depend on financial support from their pension, Social Security, Medicare, and job earnings. But there is a continuous call for reducing Social Security and Medicare benefits... |
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If you or your family are experiencing long delays to get a medical appointment, you’re waiting a long time in the doctor’s office at your appointment, or the provider doesn’t answer the phone and you’re not sure the request will be answered, realize that you are not alone... |
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August 16 marked the one-year anniversary of the IRA signed by President Biden. This new law includes historic prescription drug provisions that are providing benefits to Medicare beneficiaries already, plus adding new benefits in the future... |
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In May, the board met to present findings from the annual actuarial reports on the health benefits for the State Employee Retirement System (SERS). This report was prepared by Gabriel, Roeder, Smith & Company (GRS) and was based on September 30, 2022... |
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Recently, SERA successfully advocated for the repeal of the pension tax on State employee benefits. We have received many thanks for our effective influence. However, we have more vital work to do like maintaining... |
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During the early years of retirement, most middle-income seniors don’t assume they will ever need Medicaid. However, Medicaid (health care for those with low incomes) is the primary payer of long-term care... |
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As retirees age and develop chronic health conditions, they depend on staff from all phases of the health care system. According to a new University of Michigan study 39% of Michigan nurses plan to quit in a year... |
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Last month’s SERA-Nade discussed how the 2023 GOP-controlled U.S. House of Representatives is insisting on steep cuts to Social Security and Medicare, in exchange for their vote to increase the U.S. debt ceiling... |
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You may have heard about the debt ceiling controversy on the news but are interested in how it could affect retirees. The debt ceiling was already reached on January 19, 2023, the federal government having spent up to the limit of $31.4 trillion... |
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“The Real Deal for the Public Sector” is a recent report from the National Institute on Retirement Security (NIRS) and Aon. Their research finds that pension plans alone are not providing an adequate retirement income for state and local government employees... |
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2022 |
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Over the past decades, the thought of driving over Michigan roads free from potholes has been music to our ears, if not to our car repairs. But, fixing the roads has seemed nearly impossible for decades... |
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There is a slow-moving crisis, called the silver tsunami, that is paralyzing states, counties, cities, and towns across the U.S., leaving governments unable to provide the most basic services due to public worker shortages... |
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An estimated 40 million Americans aged 50 and over have hearing loss and cope with the heavy social, emotional, and health issues that result. For example, hearing impairment can reduce your quality... |
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The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), just enacted last month, is a historic legislative victory for seniors. Its importance is substantial and can’t be over stated... |
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Lower drug prices, a historic victory for seniors... |
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Read about new developments to address the Medicare deficit and lower prescription drug prices, and the market environment impacting global investments... |
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Count your blessings, including the improved pre-funding trends for pensions and health benefits; the solvency of Social Security and Medicare; and a lower Medicare Premium... |
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Hold on to your pocket book as challenges are coming your way. Read: key plans to sunset Social Security and Medicare, Medicare Advantage benefit denials, and rising cost... |
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Key developments on divesting Michigan investments in Russia, the invasion’s impact on inflation, and Social Security proposals boosting benefits.... |
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Are you concerned about how inflation has impacted your buying power? Nationwide, much of the rise in inflation in 2021 has been due to price... |
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Outstanding news for your pension investments, utility savings, and Medicaid long-term home care... |
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2021 |
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We’re rounding the corner with Social Security solvency, double-digit investment returns, and successful defined contribution plans... |
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Are you aware of how federal income tax credits may add to your refund? You may qualify if you have earned income and are also taking care of grandchildren or a disabled adult... |
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Congress is considering two bills to improve the nation’s infrastructure. The first bipartisan infrastructure bill, costing $1 trillion dollars, provides for... |
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This August, the Social Security program will celebrate its 86th anniversary of ensuring basic financial security to retirees and their families in their senior years. However, baseline Social Security benefits have not been expanded in the last fifty years... |
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Michigan is flush with unanticipated State revenues as the federal relief funds boost consumer spending, which increase sales tax revenues on goods purchased... |
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Stay informed on federal issues impacting Michigan retirees including Social Security, Earned Income Tax Credit, and Paid Family Leave... |
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The State of Michigan Investment Board (SMIB) met in March for its Quarterly Investment Review of the State of Michigan Retirement System... |
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