Active Members

WCERS provides retirement services for Active, Deferred, Retired Wayne County Employees, Wayne County Airport Authority Employees and Wayne County 3^rd Circuit Court Employees.

Please note all Retiree Medical, Optical, and Life Insurance questions should be directed to the Benefits and Disability Administration Division at:

General Information

Main Number: (313) 224-5157     Fax: (313) 967-1228     Email: benefits@waynecountymi.gov

Retirement and Retirement Appointment Q&A

What information do I need to provide to schedule an appointment?

You will need to provide the following information when scheduling a retirement appointment.

• First and last name (legal name)
• Employee identification number/Person number
• Your retirement plan
• Anticipated retirement date
• Contact number

 What documents do I need to bring with me to my appointment?

You need to bring the following with you on the day of your appointment:

• Birth Certificate* for yourself, your spouse, and any dependent children
• Social Security cards* for yourself, your spouse, and any dependent children
• Marriage License
• Judgement of Divorce, Eligible Domestic Relations Order, Domestic Relations Order, and/or Qualified Domestic Relations Order – complete/full Court executed copies are required.
• Health Care/Physician information (for disability applicants only)
• Voided check for Direct Deposit
• Any Trust and/or other Probate Document (i.e., Power of Attorney, Guardianship, Conservatorship)

*In lieu of Social Security cards, you may bring in a copy of the top portion of the first page of last year’s Federal Income tax return. Baptismal Certificate, valid Passport, Naturalization Papers, Census Report or School Record (prior to date of hire) may be accepted as proof of age in lieu of a Birth Certificate.

 If I do not bring in all the required documents, can I still apply for retirement?

Yes, you may complete an application; however, your application will not be processed until all required documents have been received. This may affect your ability to retire on your desired date.

The Retirement System reserves the right to void a retirement application or change the effective date of retirement:

• If the member fails to meet retirement eligibility according to his/her collective bargaining agreement
• If the member fails to complete or submit all required documentation
• For other instances that may necessitate such course of action

 What do I need to be certain of when I come in for my appointment?

You must be certain that you are retiring. Retirement appointments are for the purpose of completing your retirement application packet. If you have a Defined Contribution account, you should know whether you want to purchase an annuity with your available Defined Contribution funds. For Defined Benefit participants, you need to be certain of the payment option you want to select (Straight Life, or a Joint & Survivorship to cover your spouse). If you are married and take a Straight Life, your spouse will be required to sign off, waiving any future pension/benefits, and the document will need to be notarized. Retirement staff cannot provide financial advice or recommend an option to you. If you are unsure what option to select, please seek advice from a licensed, certified investment planner prior to your scheduled appointment.

 How long will my appointment be?

Your appointment will take approximately 30-40 minutes. Please be prompt.

 Do you accept walk-ins?

Appointments are required for all in-person services currently. For assistance you may contact Wayne County Employees’ Retirement System by phone at (313) 224-5890 or by email at eRetirement@waynecountymi.gov.

What will I be doing at my appointment?

We will review your most recent benefit estimate and answer any questions you may have regarding the estimate and payment options available to you at retirement. You will ultimately complete a retirement packet. If you are eligible to purchase time such as military, other government and/or credited service, you will be provided with additional instructions. All purchase transactions must be completed prior to your retirement date.

You will be directed to contact the Wayne County Benefits Administration Department at (313) 224-5157 with any questions you may have regarding retiree life/health/dental/optical insurance benefits. 

Do I have to notify my department that I have applied to retire?

The Retirement Department will send a notification within 2-3 business days after you have filed an application. We do not hold retirement notifications. 

If I sign the application, does that mean I have to retire?

Yes, you are expected to retire at your scheduled effective date.

Can I change my mind about retiring, and if so, what is the procedure?

You may be eligible to withdraw your application, unless you have an agreement that states differently. You must write a request to rescind your retirement to your Department Head who, in turn, must write a corresponding request to the Retirement Commission supporting your request to withdraw your application. Copies of both requests must be delivered to this office so that it can be placed on the Meeting Agenda prior to your retirement date. Requests to rescind should be submitted no less than 10 business days prior to your effective retirement date – No exceptions.

When will I receive my first pension check?

If you are a member of a Defined Benefit Plan, your first pension check will be paid to you at least two months after your retirement date (e.g., if you retire on September 1, your first check will come November 1). It will include pension monies for the months of September and October. Your November monies will be paid in December, and so on. If you are a member of the Defined Contribution Plan and turning your funds over for an annuity pension, your first check will be on the 1st of the month following 30 days after the receipt of funds (e.g., if you retire on September 1, and we receive the check from Empower by September 15, your first check will be paid on the first of November). However, you will only receive a check for one month. Pension payments are paid in arrears. A check received on November 1 is for the month of October. 

Will this be what I should expect every month?

Since your first pension check will cover 2 months, no. Your second pension check may be adjusted. Finally, your third pension check should be the amount that you can expect every month – unless you choose an accelerated option, which will cause your pension monies to decrease at the date you are eligible for full unreduced social security. 

Will my pension check be taxed?

Yes, your pension is taxable by the Federal Government. Effective January 1, 2012 - your pension became taxable by the State of Michigan.

I am a member of Hybrid Plan 5 or Hybrid Plan 6. What can I do with the Defined Contribution monies that were left over after I transferred from Plan 4?

You have several options for these monies:

1. Release funds to the Retirement System to receive a monthly annuity pension over and above the Defined Benefit pension. Keep in mind, the Retirement System will not accept rollover funds for deposit 30 days after the effective date of retirement.
2. Rollover the funds to another qualifying plan for deposit (IRA, etc.).
3. Take a full refund (you will be responsible for all taxes/penalties).
4. Leave the funds in the plan.

Pre/Post Frozen Benefits

What is Pre/Frozen Benefits versus Post Benefits?

Pre/Frozen Benefits are retirement benefits earned prior to October 1, 2015, or the date established by your respective CBA or Benefit Plan. Frozen Benefits are available to employees who have met the plan vesting requirements and retirement eligibility criteria in effect on September 30, 2015, or established date. Pre/Frozen Benefits are calculated using your average final compensation (x) plan multiplier (x) credited service earned prior to the established plan freeze date (See your CBA or Benefit Plan for details).

Post Benefits are retirement benefits earned on, and after, October 1, 2015. Post Benefits are available to employees who meet the 10 years vesting requirement and retirement eligibility criteria in effect on and after October 1, 2015, or date established by your CBA or Benefit Plan. Post Benefits are calculated using your average final compensation (x) plan multiplier (x) credited service earned on, and after, the established plan freeze date (See your CBA or Benefit Plan for details).