Quiznos is a popular fast-food restaurant chain known for its delicious subs and sandwiches. To promote their brand, Quiznos decided to create a mascot promotional commercial. The mascot, known as the Quiznos Spongmonkeys, quickly gained attention and became an internet sensation. The commercial features two animated creatures that resemble hamsters, singing a catchy song about Quiznos' subs. The Spongmonkeys are depicted as funny and quirky characters that are obsessed with sandwiches. They sing about the quality of the ingredients used in Quiznos subs, with lyrics like "They got a pepper bar, it's quite bizarre" and "We like the subs, 'cause they are good to us.
As a MIP member, you will qualify for full retirement under any of the following provisions:
You are vested when you have enough service to qualify for a pension though you may not yet meet the age requirement, when you have the equivalent of 10 years of full-time public school employment. Keep in mind, your disability application must be received within 12 months after terminating public school employment unless there are extenuating circumstances.
They sing about the quality of the ingredients used in Quiznos subs, with lyrics like "They got a pepper bar, it's quite bizarre" and "We like the subs, 'cause they are good to us." The main idea behind the Quiznos mascot promotional commercial is to create a memorable and catchy advertisement that will stick in the minds of consumers. By featuring the Spongmonkeys as the mascots, Quiznos aimed to capture attention and generate interest in their sandwiches.
Qualifying for Your Pension
To be eligible for a monthly retirement pension, you must meet minimum age and service requirements as described here. These requirements vary depending on whether you are a Basic Plan or Member Investment Plan (MIP) member.
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- Full Retirement Provisions.
- When You Are Vested.
- Early Reduced Retirement Provisions.
- Summer Birthday Provision.
- Your Retirement Effective Date.
- If You Become Disabled.
Full Retirement Provisions
MIP Members
As a MIP member, you will qualify for full retirement under any of the following provisions:
- MIP 46 with 30. You qualify for full retirement at any age with at least 30 years of service (YOS). However, if you have purchased universal buy-in service credit, you must be at least age 46. At least 15 YOS must be earned through the Michigan Public School Employees' Retirement System.
- MIP 60 with 10. You are eligible for your pension at age 60 with at least 10 years of earned service credit.
- MIP 60 with 5. If you are age 60 and you have at least 5 YOS, you qualify for a pension if you have earned service credit in each of the five school fiscal years immediately before your retirement effective date and you terminated your public school service immediately before your retirement effective date. A school fiscal year runs from July 1 through June 30. Note: You must work within the month of your 60th birthday.
Basic Plan Members
As a Basic Plan member, you qualify for a full retirement under the following provisions:
- Basic 55 with 30. You will qualify for your pension when you are at least age 55 and have 30 or more YOS. At least 15 YOS must be earned through the Michigan Public School Employees' Retirement System.
- Basic 60 with 10. You qualify for a pension at age 60 with at least 10 years of earned service credit.
When You Are Vested
You are vested when you have enough service to qualify for a pension though you may not yet meet the age requirement, when you have the equivalent of 10 years of full-time public school employment. If you're in the MIP DC Converted or Basic DC Converted Plan, you'll continue to earn credit toward pension eligibility as long as you remain employed under the retirement system. Learn more on how earning and purchasing service affects your pension eligibility.
Early Reduced Retirement Provisions
Whether you are Basic or MIP, you can take an early reduced retirement as early as age 55 if you have at least 15 but fewer than 30 YOS. Your pension amount is permanently reduced by one-half of 1% for each month you take your pension before age 60 (6% per year).
You must be an active member to be eligible for the early reduced retirement. An active member is someone who is still working under the retirement system and earning creditable service. If you terminate employment before the month you reach pension eligibility age, you become a deferred member, rather than an active member (see Summer Birthday Provision). Deferred members don't qualify for the early reduced pension provision.
To retire under the early reduced pension provision, you must meet all of the following conditions:
- You worked in the month of your 55th birthday (an exception may apply if you were born in a summer month; see Summer Birthday Provision).
- You have at least 15 but fewer than 30 YOS, with at least 10 YOS earned under this system.
- You earned creditable service in each of the five school fiscal years before - including the month immediately before - your retirement effective date. The fiscal year in which you are retiring counts in the five years. (Learn more about earning service credit.)
- You terminated Michigan public school service immediately before your retirement effective date.
If you're thinking about an early reduced retirement, be sure to verify you meet these requirements before you terminate employment to be sure you qualify.
Deferred Retirement Provision
If you leave public school employment after you are vested but before the month you reach pension eligibility age, you are choosing to defer your pension. Be sure to apply for your pension before your 60th birthday - the amount won't be any higher, and you could even lose money if you wait. (Note: If you already had 30 YOS at the time you terminated employment, you should apply as soon as you meet the minimum age requirement - age 46 for MIP and age 55 for the Basic Plan.)
Deciding Between a Deferred or Early Reduced Retirement
If you're between ages 55 and 60 and leaving public school employment, you might face a choice between taking an early reduced retirement or deferring your retirement until you meet age eligibility. Calculate your pension both ways before making a decision - your choice could affect your lifetime pension amount.
Your choice will also affect your eligibility for an insurance premium subsidy and when it may begin. Before you make your decision, be sure you fully understand the requirements for premium subsidy eligibility.
View this short e-learning module to learn more about deciding between a deferred or early reduced retirement.
Summer Birthday Provision
Suppose you were born in July, August, or September, expect to terminate employment in June, and you want to take an early reduced rather than a deferred retirement. Suppose that as of your birthdate you'll meet all the requirements for an early reduced pension, but as of your termination date you won't be old enough. To prevent a penalty for those who stop working when school ends in June but whose birthday falls in a summer month, a special provision applies.
If you are applying for a full retirement (other than the MIP 60 with 5) or an early reduced retirement, and your 46th, 55th or 60th birthday falls in July, August, or September, we will consider you an active (not deferred) member if you meet both of the following conditions:
- You are a regularly-employed 10-month employee who does not normally work the summer months (substitute employees and those employed on an irregular basis do not qualify); and
- You file your retirement application before the end of the school year preceding the summer in which your birthday occurs.
In a summer birthday situation, your retirement effective date will be the first day of the month following your birthday in which you reach the required age to satisfy the full or early reduced retirement provision, as displayed below.
Retirement Provision
Qualifying Birthday
Example: If your qualifying birthday is in August, your retirement effective date would be Sept. 1.
View this short e-learning module to learn more about the summer birthday provision.
Your Retirement Effective Date
Your retirement effective date is the first day of the month following the month in which you satisfy the eligibility requirements, and you terminate employment in Michigan public schools.
You cannot work for a participating Michigan public school or college, even as a volunteer, in the month of your retirement effective date. Additionally, if you anticipate working for the State of Michigan in the month of your retirement effective date, other restrictions could apply. Contact ORS for details before completing your retirement application.
You must have a bona fide termination of employment before your retirement effective date. A bona fide termination is a complete severing of your employee-employer relationship, and you cannot have a promise of reemployment or a contract for future employment in place before your termination of employment.
You must submit your retirement application forms and any required documentation before we can make an eligibility determination. At that time, we will also review your eligibility for an insurance premium subsidy.
Note: You'll be able to enroll in the plan's health, dental, prescription drug, and vision insurance as of your retirement effective date. However, if you purchased service credit July 1, 2008, or later, the date you will be eligible for an insurance premium subsidy could be later. See Your Insurance Benefits for details.
Counting Other Michigan Government Public Service
Public Act 88 - Reciprocal Retirement Act of 1961 helps public servants who have worked either full time or part time for more than one Michigan governmental unit, but perhaps fall short of pension eligibility with any or all of them. Combining years of service from multiple employers can help you qualify for a pension, but the other service won't count in the calculation of your pension amount. Public Act 88 can't be used to qualify someone for survivor or disability benefits; it can only be used for a regular retirement pension.
If You Become Disabled
If you become totally and permanently disabled while a public school employee and you do not meet the age and service requirements for a full retirement, you may qualify for a disability retirement. Keep in mind, your disability application must be received within 12 months after terminating public school employment (unless there are extenuating circumstances). For more information see Disability Benefits.
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The commercial quickly went viral, gaining millions of views on the internet. The unique and humorous animation style, combined with the catchy song, made the Quiznos Spongmonkeys stand out from other fast-food commercials. The commercial was even parodied on popular television shows and became a pop culture phenomenon. While some viewers found the Quiznos mascot promotional commercial strange or even unsettling, it undeniably achieved its goal of promoting the Quiznos brand. The commercial successfully created a buzz around Quiznos' sandwiches and attracted attention to the restaurant chain. Overall, the Quiznos mascot promotional commercial featuring the Spongmonkeys was a bold and creative move by Quiznos to promote their brand. It garnered attention and generated interest in Quiznos' sandwiches, making the commercial a memorable and successful marketing campaign..
Reviews for "Behind the Design: The Inspiration for the Quiznos Mascot"
- John - 2 stars - I found the Quiznos mascot promotional commercial to be extremely irritating. The mascot was obnoxious and loud, and it didn't make me want to go to Quiznos at all. In fact, it made me want to avoid the restaurant altogether. The commercial seemed desperate and lacking in creativity. Overall, I was disappointed and annoyed by this advertising attempt.
- Sarah - 1 star - The Quiznos mascot promotional commercial was one of the worst commercials I have ever seen. The mascot's voice was grating and the whole concept was just bizarre. It did not effectively convey any message about the restaurant or its food, and instead just left me confused and annoyed. I would never consider going to Quiznos after being subjected to this awful commercial.
- Michael - 2 stars - The Quiznos mascot promotional commercial was a complete miss for me. The mascot was creepy and off-putting, and it certainly didn't make me hungry. The whole commercial was just awkward and uncomfortable to watch. It seemed like Quiznos was trying too hard to be edgy and different, but it fell flat. I would not recommend watching this commercial if you value your sanity.
- Emma - 1 star - I cannot express enough how much I despised the Quiznos mascot promotional commercial. It was loud, obnoxious, and just plain cringeworthy. I couldn't understand half of what the mascot was saying, and when I could, it didn't make any sense. This commercial did nothing to make me want to visit Quiznos, and instead just made me want to mute the TV. Trust me, stay far away from this disaster of a commercial.