Issues

Retirees were heard

Retirees were heard

9/9/22 Weekly Update: By CEO Shawn Duhamel

Before I jump into the news of the week, let me first remind everyone that our Annual Meeting takes place today (Friday) at Lombardo’s in Randolph. The meeting will kick off at 11AM. As is the case at all Mass Retirees meetings, members can bring a guest.

5% COLA For State and Teacher Retirees: Local Option Pending in Senate

September 2022 Voice: During the summer of 2021, as serious signs of inflation began to become evident, Mass Retirees put a plan in place to build the case for improvements to the COLA starting in Fiscal Year 2023. These efforts paid off with the passage of a 5% COLA, signed into law by Governor Baker in late July.

Backed by historically high pension fund investment returns over the bulk of the past decade, the Association made the case for sharing the success with retirees in the form of better COLA benefits.

Likelihood of WEP & GPO Full Repeal: A Dead End!

Association Will Not Engage in Political Gamesmanship

September 1, 2022: Editorial By Frank Valeri and Shawn Duhamel

Since our founding in 1968, our Association has built a strong reputation for our honest advocacy and straightforward approach. We do not grandstand nor partake in political gamesmanship. The news we report and positions we take are based on our experience and expert analysis of the facts.

Senate Passes Landmark Bill to Cut Prescription Drug Prices

Senate Passes Landmark Bill to Cut Prescription Drug Prices

The U.S. Senate passed a historic budget bill on Aug. 7 that would help millions of Medicare enrollees better afford their life-sustaining medications and help millions more Americans pay their Affordable Care Act (ACA) health insurance premiums. The measure must now be approved by the House of Representatives before going to the president's desk.

The truth about the WEP & GPO

The truth about the WEP & GPO

8/5/2022 Weekly Update: While the bulk of today’s (long and detailed) email is on the status of the Social Security WEP & GPO legislation, allow me to remind you of today’s (Friday) Tele-Town Hall Meeting as well as provide a quick update on developments with the local option for the 5% COLA.

5% COLA approved by legislature

5% COLA approved by legislature

Awaits Approval By Governor Baker

By: Shawn Duhamel, Chief Executive Officer
Mass Retirees Association
Our efforts to pass a 5% COLA for FY23 took a major step forward this week when the legislature unanimously approved the measure as part of the annual the State Budget.

Legislature Approves 5% COLA With Local Option

Legislature Approves 5% COLA With Local Option

Budget Measure Now Before Governor Baker

JULY 18, 2022: Late Sunday evening, House and Senate budget negotiators unveiled a compromise $54 billion FY23 State Budget. The measure contains a 5% COLA for retired State Employees and Teachers, as well as a local option provision authorizing the 102 local retirement boards to pay an FY23 COLA from 3-5%. The 3-5% increase for local retirement systems for FY’23 is an option, not a mandate. It allows them to give up to a 5% COLA this year if they so choose. 

Governor Signs Post Retirement Work “Waiver” Law

Governor Signs Post Retirement Work “Waiver” Law

No Hour & Income Restrictions for Non-Disability Retirees In Public Service During 2022

June 10, 2022: Governor Charlie Baker has signed into law H4456 that waives both the hour and income restrictions (imposed by Section 91 of Chapter 32) on retirees who are in public service employment during 2022. It became Chapter 80 of the Acts of 2022.

As the Red Cross moves to a pricey blood treatment method, hospitals call for more choice

Americans generally don’t spend much time thinking about the nation’s blood 

BY JULIE APPLEBY AND KAISER HEALTH NEWS

House Approves Largest COLA Increase Since 1992

House Approves Largest COLA Increase Since 1992

Local Retirement Systems Empowered to Increase COLA Up To 5% 

APRIL 27, 2022: Today, the Massachusetts House of Representatives unanimously approved a 5% increase in the FY23 cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for State and Teacher Retirees. The measure also contains authorization for the state’s 102 local retirement systems to increase local COLAs from 3-5% by a majority vote of the retirement board.