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Retired school personnel help colleagues in classrooms
In an effort to support Michigan teachers, retired school personnel are making donations designed to boost student learning around the state. Members of the Michigan Association of Retired School Personnel (MARSP) and the MARSP Foundation are contributing $10,000 in response to teacher requests for assistance through DonorsChoose.org.
Responding to 48 project requests from Michigan teachers impacting around 6,000 Michigan students, the retired educator group believes current teachers and students need support more than ever.
“We have helped our working colleagues with similar donations for several years but now may be the time they need it most,” says MARSP Executive Director Royce Humm. “DonorsChoose.org allows teachers to request funding for special classroom needs, whether it’s books, equipment or technology. Because it strictly focuses on education, it’s an ideal crowd-funding method that allows us to ‘flash fund’ projects that benefit thousands of students across the state.”
DonorsChoose.org was created by a Bronx high school history teacher who was trying to raise funds to buy books for his classroom in 2000. Today the website is available to teachers in every US public school.
“With so many new challenges imposed on teachers during the pandemic, we want our working colleagues to know we understand and appreciate them,” says Marie Wilkerson, chair of the MARSP Foundation board. “Although we give scholarships every year to public school employees who want to further their education, we recognize the urgent need to support learners in today’s environment.”
MARSP and the MARSP Foundation Inc. will each allocate $5,000 to fully fund as many projects as possible for schools with more than 50 percent of students from low-income households. Additionally, opportunities, where matching donations would apply, will be prioritized.
According to the DonorsChoose.org website, it is the only crowdfunding platform that vets each request, delivers materials directly to schools, and captures the impact of every project with photos, thank you notes, and a cost report showing how each dollar was spent. Since 2000 the charity has funded more than 1.8 million projects across the country. It has a 96.6 percent rating from Charity Navigator, which ranks charitable organizations according to financial accountability and impact.
“We really liked that more than 95 percent of all donations go directly to fund classroom projects,” Humm notes. “DonorsChoose.org makes great use of volunteers and support from its partners.”
Those wishing to donate to Michigan classrooms through MARSP are encouraged to call the MARSP office at 517-337-1757.
MARSP is an independent, non-partisan association of more than 35,000 retired public school employees from every work group and geographical location in Michigan. The association’s primary mission is to protect the pension and health care benefits of retired public school employees. The MARSP Foundation Inc. is a charitable organization whose mission is to support the educational advancement of public school employees through scholarships, as well as to support and aid retired public school personnel in matters that require help for their well-being.
MARSP Office Relocation
In January, the MARSP Board of Directors voted unanimously to relocate the MARSP office from its current location to the MELG (Michigan Education Leadership Group) building in Lansing.
The MELG building is home to many Michigan educational organizations such as the Michigan Association of School Administrators (MASA), Michigan Association of School Boards (MASB), Michigan Association of Secondary School Principals (MASSP), Michigan School Business Officials (MSBO), among others. Moving to this location is a strategic move for MARSP as we continue to grow our membership and keep our members informed. Along with reducing some annual operating expenses, collaborating with other Michigan educational organizations allows us to become more connected with active school personnel and share the importance of MARSP for those still working. MARSP brings value to current and future retirees regardless of where they are in their retirement journey.
Our new physical location will only enhance our ability to offer the great service and value you’ve come to expect from our association.
We are looking forward to the move and we will provide updates to members on our relocation efforts as the work progresses.
Update:
We will no longer be receiving mail to our physical address. Please use the MARSP PO Box for all mail.
MARSP
PO Box 23214
Lansing, MI 48909
VANGUARD – Winter 2021
It is now easier for retirees to return to schools
Public Act (PA) 267 of 2020 was signed into law on December 29, 2020, and addresses rules concerning working after retirement as a substitute teacher and working in a critical shortage position. The critical shortage exemption has been extended until July 1, 2025, and removed the three-year maximum that a retiree can work in a critical shortage position.
How to return to work
If you are interested in supporting Michigan schools in this time of need, contact your local school district(s) to find the list of available positions and the next steps to apply. Many districts list this information online for your convenience.
Update from ORS
ORS is working on updating its pension impact estimator module, but in the meantime, their website has been updated with the specifics based on retirement date. The rules are different depending on whether you retire before July 1, 2010, or on or after July 1, 2010. Click on the corresponding button below to view the rules specific to when you retired.
MPSERS Working After Retirement Quick Information
The passing of HB4694 demonstrates that our voices have been heard. This new law shines a light on the positive impact retirees can have for Michigan schools. Being part of MARSP is about being a part of a community that is advocating and working towards change for public school retirees. This would not have been possible without support from members like you; thank you!
As you return to the buildings and share your story with other retired school personnel, encourage them to become a member of MARSP. The greater our membership, the more impact we will have on positive change for retirees and Michigan schools.
Click here to view MARSP member benefits.
Schools hoping recent retirees will help with substitute shortage
https://www.wilx.com/2021/01/05/schools-hoping-recent-retirees-will-help-with-substitute-shortage/
Press Release: Retiree group says new law will help with critical shortage in schools
Legislative Update – December 2020
We are delighted to share some positive legislative news that affects public school retirees.
At MARSP, we are dedicated to advocating for retired public school employees. We are excited to announce that HB 4694 (Lilly) has unanimously passed in the State Senate and the Michigan House of Representatives. This bill amends the Public School Employees Retirement Act, Public Act 300 of 1980, to loosen restrictions and allow retirees to serve in critical shortage capacities.
MARSP has actively supported this bill and believes it will provide opportunities for public school retirees and MARSP members to support public schools by leveraging their experience and skills.
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, Michigan districts were already experiencing critical shortages across multiple positions. Many retirees want to help, but the potential loss of pension benefits under the old law was too significant. This bill makes it possible for more retirees to return and fill positions listed as “critical shortage” or support those districts that have a COVID-19 learning plan and still receive their full pension benefits, though the provision in state law limiting retirees to earning ⅓ of their Final Average Compensation (FAC) in a calendar year remains in effect. The last and final step in the process is for Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to sign the bipartisan legislation, and we are anticipating she will.
We are proud of the work MARSP has put in to make our voices heard. Thank you for your continued support.
HB4694 will:
Extends Sunset to 2025
Extends sunset from July 1, 2021, to July 1, 2025. The sunset relates to the ability to rehire retired employees of the Michigan Public School Employees’ Retirement System (MPSERS) and allow those retirees to retain their pensions and earn wages during their reemployment period in the areas of critical shortage, substitute teachers, instructional coaches, and independent contractors.
What does this mean for MARSP members?
MARSP members now have more opportunities to return to districts to fill critical shortage positions and retain their pensions and earn wages.
Removes 12 month waiting period for rehire in critical shortage positions while operating under extended COVID-19 learning plan.
Allows a district to hire personnel who have been retired for less than one year for a critical shortage position provided the district is operating under an extended COVID-19 learning plan (in other words, the 2020-2021 school year). The 12-month waiting period before retirees can return to work in a district in current law will otherwise remain in effect. However, state law still prohibits retirees from returning to work in a Michigan public school reporting unit or for the State of Michigan, even as a volunteer, in the month of your retirement effective date. For more information regarding your eligibility visit www.michigan.gov/ors.
What does this mean for MARSP members?
Members who retired less than 12 months ago now have the opportunity to return to schools in critical shortage positions. As independent contractors, substitute teachers and instructional coaches in the current school year, provided they do not return to work until at least one month after the effective date of their retirement.
Removes restrictions to those who retired after September 2, 2017
Allows the rehiring of personnel who retired after Sept. 2, 2017, to return to fill a critical shortage, substitute teacher or instructional coach role. It removes the previous language that only allowed districts to rehire individuals who retired before Sept. 2, 2017.
What does this mean for MARSP members?
Members who retired after Sept. 2, 2017, can return to the buildings as a substitute teacher or instructional coach and retain full pension benefits, subject to the ⅓ annual cap on earnings.
Extends the window for a retiree to become reemployed for leadership support programs
Extends the window during which an employee may retire and become reemployed without forfeiting pension benefits for a specific school leadership support program funded by a Federal grant, private grant or both.
What does this mean for MARSP members?
Members who wish to return to work for a specific school leadership support program funded by a Federal grant, private grant or both may do so and not forfeit pension benefits.
To view the entire bill, click here.
Next Steps:
As we await the governor’s signature, we ask that members be patient. Please watch for more communications and updates regarding the next step for MARSP members.
Again, we are so proud of the work MARSP has put in to make our voices heard. Thank you for your continued support.
Legislative Update – November 2020
As the Michigan Legislature heads into the 2020 lame-duck session, the state’s economic picture is better than expected, says Matt Kurta of Karoub Associates, MARSP’s lobbyist. Noting the positive impact of federal stimulus money and better than expected tax revenue in the midst of the pandemic, Kurta says economic predictions for 2020 were thankfully inaccurate.
“Dire economic projections from economists this spring thankfully were off by quite a bit,” Kurta pointed out. “The federal stimulus money really saved us. When they closed the books, they were able to carry money forward into the current fiscal year.”
Michigan will still face budget challenges next year, however, as stimulus money goes away and tax revenue is more uncertain, Kurta explained, adding that the school aid fund still seems to be in good shape. The Legislature will begin a new 2021-2022 session in January. Following the Nov. 3 elections, Republicans held on to the majority in the Michigan House of Representatives, which again will be comprised of 58 Republicans and 52 Democrats. The new Speaker of the House will be Jason Wentworth (R-Farwell) and the new Chair of the House Appropriations Committee will be Rep. Thomas Albert (R-Lowell). The new House Democratic Leader will be Rep. Donna Lasinski (D-Scio Township). Due to COVID, some legislative session days in early November were canceled.
“The lame-duck session might be shorter this year,” Kurta predicted, noting that it may still offer an opportunity for MARSP and other education groups to gain traction on the issue of making it easier for retired teachers to return to work in classrooms and help with teacher shortages. Outdated and overly complex restrictions on retirees’ ability to return to work hindered the ability of school districts to fill classroom teacher shortages before the coronavirus pandemic, and those restrictions have only made the situation worse as schools lose staff due to infections and/or quarantines.
As Michigan responds to the fall surge of COVID-19 cases, challenges to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s new orders limiting the operations of some businesses and social gatherings, the makeup of the Michigan Supreme Court following the November elections and efforts by some groups to impeach the governor.
Since the Governor is no longer able to exercise emergency powers under the 1945 law, which was recently ruled unconstitutional, she is operating under a separate law enacted during the Spanish Flu of 1918 allowing the state health department to issue emergency epidemic orders to protect public health. More challenges and lawsuits are expected as business closures or shutdowns are ordered.
Michigan Supreme Court election results on Nov. 3 will give Democratic Party nominees a 4-3 majority in January, and the philosophy of the court could change somewhat, Kurta speculated. Chief Justice Bridget Mary McCormack held on to her seat and Elizabeth Welch replaced Stephen Markman, who was unable to run again because he had reached mandatory retirement age.
Although some talk of impeaching the Governor is in the wind, Kurta said such an effort would be an uphill climb.
VANGUARD – Fall 2020
This content is available for MARSP members only. Become a member today to view the article or login
Join ORS online for the Fall 2020 Retiree Education Seminar
Every year, ORS works to create in-person presentations and member materials to educate you about the plan. This year, however, in response to the pandemic, these educational materials they will be available exclusively online. They remain committed to providing you with a high-quality healthcare plan that provides the services you need to live a longer, healthier life.
Learn more about the 2021 Michigan Public School Employees’ Retirement System healthcare plan by following the steps below.
Join ORS online for the Fall 2020 Retiree Education Seminar
View the seminar content anytime from
October 13 through December 15, 2020
www.MPSERSHealthSeminars.com
1. Using your computer or tablet, navigate in your web browser to:
2. While in the virtual lobby, view the Welcome Message and Site Navigation Tips videos to understand all that is available to you.
3. Visit the Auditorium to view presentations by representatives of:
Blue Cross® Blue Shield® of Michigan
Delta Dental®
EyeMed
OptumRx®
4. Visit the Learning Center:
Use the Learning Center to download highlights of your coverage and helpful resources available from each insurance carrier.
If you cannot access plan information online and have questions about your coverage, our insurance carriers are available to assist you. You can find their phone numbers on the back of your membership ID cards.