Issues

State GIC to Hold Listening Tour

Focus on Pending FY20 Health Insurance Changes

JANUARY 4, 2019: With potential changes to the state’s health insurance plans set to be announced on Thursday, January 17, the Group Insurance Commission (GIC) has scheduled a “Listening Tour” with planned meetings in Boston, Worcester and Springfield later this month. The three public meetings will take place before the 17-member GIC Commission votes on the proposed benefit changes on February 7 and sets rates for FY20 on February 28.

New Legislative Session Kicks Off

Bill Filing Deadline January 18^th

JANUARY 3, 2019: The Massachusetts 2019-2020 Legislative Session officially began Tuesday, with the inauguration of the state’s 160 State Representatives and 40 Senators. Governor Charlie Baker and Lt. Governor Karyn Polito begin their 2^ndterm in office today.

FALL RIVER MAYOR IN SPOTLIGHT

In our Association’s last May edition of The Voice we highlighted the Fall River Retirement Board and the City of Fall River itself.

We also named the young Fall River Mayor Jasiel Correira, in a positive sense, highlighting his website message:

Jasiel Correira: “Make it Here” is for the dream chasers, entrepreneurs, business-owned hungry graduates, and all those looking for reinvention in its myriad forms. Because they can make it here in Fall River whether a dream, a destination or the chance at a fresh start at a new day.”

GIC Begins Public Debate on FY20 Plan Design

Changes Would Begin July 1^st

DECEMBER 6, 2018: Today, the state’s Group Insurance Commission (GIC) began the public process of establishing plan design and setting premiums for Fiscal Year 2020. Since all current GIC insurance plans were re-contracted in FY19, Mass Retirees does not anticipate major plan design changes for the coming year.

State Officials Hold Annual Revenue Consensus Hearing

Pension Funds Cited As Positive Economic Factor

DECEMBER 5, 2018: This morning the state’s top budget, revenue and fiscal officials conducted what’s known at the Revenue Consensus Hearing. The annual State House meeting kicks off the coming budget debate for FY 2020.

WEP: New Reform Bill Filed

Brady & Neal Seek Compromise With H.R. 6933

In a positive sign that blind partisanship can be set aside for the greater good of the country, new federal legislation was filed in the final days of September that, if passed, would mark the first step toward resolving the unfairness of the Social Security Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) since the law’s creation in 1983.

Bill Would Rework Limits on Social Security for Some Public Workers

It’s the latest effort by lawmakers to overhaul the “Windfall Elimination Provision," which affects benefits for thousands of state and local government employees around the U.S.

Congressional lawmakers are proposing bipartisan legislation they say would improve the fairness of Social Security for state and local government retirees by revamping a provision that can restrict benefits from the federal retirement program for some public workers.

PERAC Forum Spotlights WEP/GPO Fight

Mass Retirees Addresses 300 Retirement Officials

SEPTEMBER 14, 2018: An important aspect of Mass Retirees’ advocacy efforts to reform the Social Security Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO) laws is to educate the public, as well as policy makers, as to the unfairness and negative impact of the two federal laws.

50 Years as the Voice of the Retired Public Employee

Founded in the fall of 1968, Mass Retirees has served as the lead advocates for all Massachusetts retired public employees for the past 50 years.

From the Association’s humble beginnings, our mission has been to represent the interests of all public retirees at the state, local and federal levels of government. Our focus is public pension, Social Security, Medicare and retiree healthcare policy, for which Mass Retirees has become widely recognized for our expertise.

GIC Continues to Examine Health Plan Affordability

Review Comes at Request of Mass Retirees

AUGUST 7, 2018: Following several years of increased healthcare costs paid by retirees in their insurance through the state’s Group Insurance Commission (GIC), Mass Retirees called upon the Commission to consider affordability prior to any further increases in cost.

Ralph White Since 1968 the Retired State, County and Municipal Employees Association has been the leading voice for Massachusetts public retirees and their families. Join with our 52,000 members as we continue the fight.