MAP members encouraged to download MAPO app, register for Members Only resources
MAP members are encouraged to visit the Michigan Association of Police Organizations (MAPO) website to register for Members Only alerts and access to resources available only to 
members. MAP members are also encouraged to download the MAPO App for Iphones and Androids. The App will provide members with easy to use mobile access to the MAPO website and Members Only resources to keep registered users up to date on issues affecting them.
Click on the links below to for more information:
Register for MAPO Members Only resources and notifications.
MAPO App for iPhones.
MAPO App for Androids.
MAP helps maintain pensions in a 401k climate
By Jennifer Gomori, MAP Editor
Having a pension is an important part of a successful retirement savings plan, but something many employers are taking away from their workers and replacing with 401k plans. In the public safety realm, pensions are an even more crucial component of retirement since a majority of these employees are not eligible for Social Security benefits. MAP works hard to maintain Defined Benefit (DB) plans, a type of pension plan, for its members.
When 401k plans were introduced to employees in the 1980s, it was never the intent of early backers that these would replace pensions.
“401k’s were not designed to take the place of (pensions),” said MAP Executive Director Fred Timpner. “If all people have is a 401k and Social Security, that will not be enough to maintain the lifestyle they’ve become accustomed to.”
In an effort to save money, employers are substituting these market-based plans for pensions. The problem is market volatility can negatively impact 401k savings compared to the steady growth of a DB plan.
“(Pensions are) the most important part because they’re not environmentally changed,” said Stuart Raider of Raider Dennis Agency. “The Defined Benefit is a payout based on a formula, like Social Security. Social Security is the cornerstone of most people’s retirement, although most police and fire aren’t eligible to receive this benefit.”
That makes DB’s even more important to public safety employees, assuring them a certain amount of money will be set aside for their retirement. The plan is ‘defined’ because the formula for calculating the employer’s contribution is known ahead of time. However, DB’s are different from other pensions, where the amount of payout depends on the return of the funds invested. If there is a shortfall from investments set aside to fund the employee’s retirement, employers must make up the difference.
“One of the advantages is the Defined Benefit puts all of the responsibility of the risk on the employer,” Raider said.
But that doesn’t mean DB plans will become a hardship for the employer, Timpner said. “If a DB plan is properly funded by the parties, then there could be minimal or no cost at all to the employer,” Timpner said. “For example, the City of Sterling Heights went years without putting one cent into the pension fund. There were no employer contributions due to the fact that the pension fund was overfunded.”
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