 Dear Friend,
After a lifetime of hard work, Michigan seniors deserve to retire with dignity, security, and the support they’ve earned. That’s why our new balanced, bipartisan budget cuts taxes and lowers costs for older Michiganders across our state.
By ending taxes on Social Security and continuing to roll back the retirement tax here in Michigan, we’re putting money back in the pockets of hundreds of thousands of older Michiganders. That’s extra cash for groceries, gas, and gifts for the grandkids.
Amidst rising costs caused by a chaotic national tariff strategy and uncertainty from the federal government shutdown, we must do everything we can to protect our seniors who rely on fixed incomes, depend on affordable health care, and deserve the stability they’ve earned after a lifetime of hard work.
Seniors spent their lives building our great state — raising families, running businesses, and serving their communities. Let’s work together to make life more affordable for every Michigander, especially our seniors, so they can enjoy their golden years and continue giving back to our communities in countless ways.
Sincerely,
 Gretchen Whitmer
Governor
 Supporting Seniors — Budget Highlights
Eliminating the Retirement Tax
In 2023, I signed legislation to roll back the retirement tax, giving seniors the largest tax break in decades. The tax cut will save half a million households an average of $1,000 a year. After working for a lifetime, Michiganders deserve to be able to retire and keep every hard-earned dollar of their retirement funds. Our new budget ensures Michigan will continue toward fully phasing in this rollback by tax year 2026, completely eliminating any state tax on retirement funds.
Ending Taxes on Social Security
No taxes on Social Security will help retirees who still pay taxes on their benefits, expanding exemptions so more seniors can keep what they’ve earned. This tax cut will directly benefit up to 40,000 people a year, saving them an average of $500 annually on state taxes. That’s a game-changer for seniors who live on a fixed income and are finding it harder to get by as inflation and higher prices squeeze their pockets. I’m proud we’re helping them in this budget.
Protecting Access to Care
The new budget ensures our seniors get the help they need to stay healthy, including:
- $4.5 billion in continued Medicaid funding for programs that help seniors and people with disabilities remain in their homes and communities for as long as possible and ensure that nursing home care is available when necessary.
- $124.6 million in continued support for aging services like community programs, senior nutrition, and respite care, helping Michigan’s seniors live independently.
- $30.3 million for specialized services grants, which provide transit support for seniors and people with disabilities.
GetSetUp — Free Classes for 50+ Michiganders
We are creating new ways for older Michiganders to continue learning and stay connected. Michigan has partnered with GetSetUp, an online learning and discovery platform designed specifically for older adults. GetSetUp helps older Michiganders combat social isolation and stay mentally, physically, and socially active by providing them with 500,000 free virtual classes across a range of topics.
If you are a Michigan resident over 50, you can access the easy-to-use GetSetUp learning platform and join free, friendly, peer-led classes to learn about health and wellness, explore hobbies, and much more.
Learn more about GetSetUp at Getsetup.io/partner/Michigan.
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