Teachers Retirement Board Moves

SEPTEMBER 2006 - Greater Access For
Retirees - Heeding calls from retirees for easier
access, the Massachusetts Teachers’ Retirement
System (MTRS) has relocated their main office from
downtown Boston to East Cambridge.

Now located in the former Lotus computer
building at One Charles Park, the new MTRS encompasses
the entire second floor of the landmark brick building.
Previously, the Teachers’ System was spread
throughout three floors at their former Canal Street
office.

While the Canal Street location, one block from
North Station, was located within walking distance
of Beacon Hill, it was not convenient for retired
and active teachers to visit. The new location is
located across the street from the Cambridge Side
Galleria, which contains a garage with plenty of
parking. Train and bus service is also located within
walking distance.

“Our lease was up on Canal Street, which forced
us to look for a new location. Parking, ease of access
and space had long been issues that we had hoped
to resolve in finding a new location,” said
Sean Neilon, assistant executive director of the
Teachers’ Retirement System. “The Cambridge
location has everything that we were looking for.
Our entire staff is housed on one floor, increasing
our membership services.

“It is also important that
our members have easy access to our office, as
well as a quiet environment to seek confidential
retirement advice. Thankfully, our new office offers
both.”

Historically, the Teachers’ Retirement Board,
once the “poor cousin” of the State Retirement
Board, has always been searching for improved quarters.

Back in the ‘50s and ‘60s, the Board
was located at 88 Broad Street in Boston. In the
early ‘70s it was housed in the old Little
Building at 182 Tremont Street, moving to the McCormack
Building when that new structure was built to meet
the need for state office space. When the McCormack
became too cramped, then-Teachers’ director
Tom Lussier and his stalwart crew packed up and moved
to Canal Street.

“I hope this is our last move,” says
longtime Teachers’ Board member George McSherry
of Kingston. “It was somewhat difficult for
members of our system to come into Boston. The new
headquarters is a terrific place for staff and is
ideal for member services. ”

The MTRS is governed by a seven member board comprised
of its Chairman David Driscoll, commissioner of education;
state Treasurer Timothy Cahill; state Auditor Joseph
DeNucci; Ellen Hargraves, an appointed member who
is a retired Groton Teacher; elected member George
McSherry, a retired Brockton teacher; elected member
Jay Dow, Jr., a retired Marblehead teacher; and appointed
member Linda Ruberto, a Pittsfield teacher. Joan
Schloss is the executive director of the system and
Erika Glaster is the deputy executive director.

MTRS can now be found at One Charles Park, Cambridge,
MA 02142-1206 or on the web at www.mass.gov/mtrs/.