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Retired-State-County-And-Municipal-Employees-Association-Of-Massachusetts

Founded in 1968, now in its 52nd year of serving retired Massachusetts public employees of the 104 public retirement systems within the Commonwealth, the Association is widely recognized as one of the strongest independent advocacy groups on Beacon Hill. From public pensions and health insurance, to federal issues such as the Social Security Windfall Elimination Provision, Government Pension Offset and Medicare the Association leads the fight exclusively for all Massachusetts retired public employees. We are The Voice of the Retired Public Employee.

Active Employees: Become a Mass Retirees Subscriber
Active Employees: Become a Mass Retirees Subscriber

WHY SHOULD YOU BECOME A MASS RETIREES SUBSCRIBER?

Having worked with public retirees and their families for over five decades, Mass Retirees recognizes the growing importance that active public employees place in preparing to make a life-changing decision on...

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Annual Meeting September 18th
Annual Meeting September 18th

Our Annual Meeting takes place a week from Friday – September 18th – at 1PM EST. This virtual event is open to all Mass Retirees members. Please look to your September newsletter or today’s email message for the details on how to participate.

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Pension Fund, MIT Launch Social Investing Project

Rating Discrepancies Underscore Need for Research

Colin A. Young, State House News Service

SEPT. 9, 2020.....The Massachusetts state pension fund is teaming up with the MIT Sloan Sustainability Initiative to try to improve the data...

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Back From Hiatus
Back From Hiatus

Our weekly updates are back after a short August hiatus. Remember, we include a video update from me within these emails. Click on the photo or the link below to watch/listen to the latest news and information. My goal is to keep our members well informed. 

This week the focus is the...

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From The Media
With Washington Deadlocked on Aid, States Face Dire Fiscal Crises New York Times
State Lawmakers Reach Compromise On $43.1 Billion State Budget State House News Service
Sound, Fury and Prescription Drugs New York Times
Once Again State Pension Fund One of the Best Boston Globe
Trump thanks federal employees with $143.5 billion in retirement cuts Washington Post

Latest Articles from The Voice

Congressman Neal Charts Path Forward on WEP Reform

September 2020: More than 3,400 reform bill H.R.4540 in retirees joined a live Tele-Town Hall event on June 24th to hear a first-hand update on activities in Washington, DC from Congressman Richard Neal (D-Springfield, MA). Of course, the main focus was news surrounding the ongoing efforts to reform the Social Security Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP). 

Ibis Telehealth Program Takes Off

Retiree Enrollment Underway

September 2020: In the July edition of the Voice, we announced a new initiative to bring telehealth services to Mass Retirees members. 

Known as Ibis (pronounced eye- biss), the program uses advanced computer technology and a robust service support team to help retirees to self-manage and monitor their chronic conditions at home. The pro- gram has been expanded to provide for COVID-19 monitoring. 

Legislature Weighs Health Insurance Reform

Legislature Weighs Health Insurance Reform

Rising Costs & Affordability Main Concerns

SEPTEMBER 2019: Earlier this year, Mass Retirees filed six separate legislative proposals relative to health insurance benefits for public retirees and surviving spouses. Known as “bills”, these proposals are now before various legislative committees where public hearings are held, followed by detailed analysis by committee staff.

3% State / Teacher COLA Approved

Work Now Underway On Future COLA Improvements

September 2019: Since the state budget was not be approved by Governor Charlie Baker until July 31st, retired teachers will not receive their COLA payment until August – which is retroactive to July 1.

State retirees, along with members of local and district retirement systems began to receive their FY20 COLA in their July pension check. The annual COLA for local and district retirees is determined and approved by the respective retirement board and is not part of the Commonwealth’s annual budget process.