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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.

Preview of the January 2022 Voice
Preview of the January 2022 Voice
DECEMBER 10, 2021: As promised, for this week’s video I am joined by Bill Rehrey and Nancy McGovern for a sneak preview of our January 2022 edition of The Voice.
Before I dive into the details of what you will find in the upcoming newsletter, I’d...
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PEABODY FIREFIGHTER HONORED POSTHUMOUSLY
PEABODY FIREFIGHTER HONORED POSTHUMOUSLY

BY ANNE MARIE TOBIN, Lynn Item

NOVEMBER 19, 2021: PEABODY — There were plenty of smiles to go around Wednesday morning at the Fire Department headquarters on Lowell Street as Joseph P. DiFranco, one of Peabody’s most beloved...

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Congressman Brady Files WEP Reform Proposal
Congressman Brady Files WEP Reform Proposal

Marks 4th WEP/GPO Bill Pending Before House in 2021

NOVEMBER 8, 2021: In the course of a week, the number of bills pending before the US House of Representatives to either repeal or reform the...

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Breaking news on WEP & GPO
Breaking news on WEP & GPO

October 29, 2021: Weekly Report

By Shawn Duhamel

Every so often something unexpected happens in life that has the potential to become truly beneficial. In this case, I am referring to a new federal bill that proposes the biggest overhaul of...

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From The Media
Experts Expect Stronger Focus on Medicare Price Negotiation Over Drug Importation if Biden Wins Inside Health Policy
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

Latest Articles from The Voice

President's Message: Share the Success!

September 2021 Voice: There is no question that the tremendous investment success of the Commonwealth and local retirement systems should be celebrated. When modern pension funding schedules were implemented in the mid-1980s, no one could have envisioned the high level of asset gains that would come to fruition over the ensuing 36 years. 

AGGRESSIVE FUNDING & PROPER INVESTMENT MEET GOALS

September 2021 Voice: When the proper funding of our 104 public retirement systems began in 1985, the majority of Massachusetts systems were woefully underfunded. Back then the Commonwealth was the 2nd worst unfunded system in the country – second only to West Virginia! 

SOCIAL SECURITY WEP REFORM: LATEST DEVELOPMENTS

Coalition Building Drives Congressional Support

September 2021 Voice: A critical element to the work being done to pass legislation reforming the Social Security Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) has been the construction of a true nationwide coalition of public retiree and active employee organizations, whose members are harmed by the WEP. 

LEGISLATIVE NEWS: PUBLIC SERVICE COMMITTEE HEARS ASSOCIATION BILLS

September 2021 Voice: We are eight months into the 2021-2022 legislative session, and the State House remains closed to the public. We are anticipating that this will continue into the fall and many of the functions of the legislature will remain virtual. This includes committee hearings, such as those by the all-important Joint Committee on Public Service.