Articles about Your Retirement that may be useful to Massachusetts retirees.
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.
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!
By Shawn Duhamel, Chief Executive Officer
June 18, 2021 - Weekly News Update: A big benefit of holding Tele-Town Hall meetings is that they enhance our ability to bring important guest speakers to our members on a regular basis.
June 10, 2021-Thursday the Senate passed the Post-Retirement Work Waiver Extension amendment as part of legislation that addressed policies related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The current waiver was set to expire when the Governor’s state of emergency order expired on June 15th.
MAY 20, 2021: The State Senate will begin their budget process next week. The Association worked with Senator Michael Brady (D-Brockton), who cochairs the Public Service Committee, to file an amendment (Floor Amendment No. 94) that would increase the post retirement work hours from 960 to 1200. The amendment mirrors that which was included in the House budget last month. The language would increase the weekly average from 18.5 hours to 23 hours, bringing more in line with traditional part time work. The amendment does not change the earnings restriction.
Friday, February 19, 2021: Today marks the completion of the bill filing process for the 2021-22 Legislative Session here in Massachusetts. A complete list of our Association’s legislative proposals, as well as the lead legislative sponsors of our bills, is contained within our March newsletter. You should receive your copy of The Voice this week.
Baker: High-Volume Sites Will Speed Process
Katie Lannan - State House News Service
February 17, 2021:
Massachusetts will roughly double the population eligible for COVID-19 vaccines on Thursday, when people over age 65, the residents and staff of affordable and low-income housing for seniors, and people with two or more health conditions that put them at higher risk will be newly able to make appointments.
Guv: Weekday Operation Will Be "Huge Help"
Chris Lisinski, State House News Service
FEB. 5, 2021.....More than a week after Gov. Charlie Baker first directed adults 75 and older to start booking COVID-19 vaccine appointments through an online-only platform, a state-run call center aimed at helping seniors who struggle to access or navigate the website is now live.
January 26, 2021: Last Friday, Shawn Duhamel reported on a request we made last week to the state of Massachusetts to prioritize the vaccination of all adults age 65+. I am happy to report that Governor Charlie Baker has heeded this request and that the vast majority of our members will soon be eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.
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.
