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Founded in 1968, now in its forty seventh year of serving retired Massachusetts public employees of the 105 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.

State Budget Deal Struck

Healthcare Issues Remain Unresolved

JULY 7, 2017: After more than a month of negotiations, House and Senate budget conferees have struck a deal on the Fiscal 2018 State Budget. Both branches of the legislature are expected to approve the Conference Report...

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Fall Remains Likely Timeframe For Action on WEP

Bipartisan Support in Congress Remains Strong

JULY 7, 2017: Retirees who have fallen victim to Social Security’s dreaded offset laws remain anxious for news of progress on federal reform legislation now pending before Congress.

As...

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Negotiations Continue Over FY18 State Budget
Negotiations Continue Over FY18 State Budget

3% State & Teacher COLA Awaits Final Approval

 JULY 6, 2017: Mass Retirees officials are...

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Retirees Fight For a Voice on Group Insurance Commission

Fate Rests With House/Senate Budget Conferees

JUNE 21, 2017: Members who are insured under the state’s Group Insurance Commission (GIC) are asked to contact their State Representative and Senator in support of a proposal granting Mass Retirees a seat on the board...

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Latest Articles from The Voice

Editorial: When Perfection Becomes Enemy

Make No Mistake Time For WEP Reform Is Now

SEPTEMBER 2016 VOICE: Throughout the ages, philosophers have cautioned not to allow perfection to become the enemy of the good. In other words, inaction is often the worse option.

Such is the place where proponents of reforming the Social Security Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) law now find ourselves.

Our Association is part of a national coalition working to reform both the WEP and Government Pension Offset (GPO) laws.

Insurance Premium Moratorium Extended

New Focus on Retiree Healthcare Reform

SEPTEMBER 2016 VOICE: In the final hours of the formal legislative session for 2016, the House and Senate voted to override Governor Baker’s veto of Section 45 of the FY17 State Budget.

Section 45 extends the municipal retiree health insurance premium moratorium by two years, until July 1, 2018. Had the veto not been overridden, some municipalities were poised to immediately increase insurance contribution percentage rates for retirees.

WEP Reform Moves Forward on Bumpy Road

Disagreement Among Advocates Raise Concern

SEPTEMBER 2016 VOICE: A week in July that began with the promise of legislation reforming the Social Security Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP)  advancing in Congress, has instead ended with the bill suffering a setback.

Association officials spent significant time in Washington, DC, working side-by-side with coalition partners from Texas in an effort to advance WEP reform through Congress this year.

COLA News: Leominster at it Again!

New 5th Member Gives Hope

SEPTEMBER 2016 VOICE: Despite pleas from the Leominster Retirement Board elected members John Perry and William “Tex” Thibodeau, the Mayor’s Board appointment, David LaPlante and his appointed City Comptroller John Richard voted “No” on granting a $360 annual “COLA” increase for this year. This will be the seventh consecutive denial dating back to June, 2010 that both of these members have voted “No”.