Latest News

State workers’s health insurance choices shrink in cost-cutting move

By Matt Murphy STATE HOUSE NEWS SERVICE

 

GIC To Select Health Plans

Vote Scheduled Thursday 1/18

 

Celebrating Fifty Years: 1968 - 2018

The New Year brings extra reason to celebrate for Mass Retirees members, as 2018 marks the Fiftieth Anniversary of our Association’s founding in 1968.

In addition to the restyled newsletter banner, Mass Retirees plans to make the anniversary the focal point for much of 2018. Amongst other events, a special 50th Anniversary publication is planned for later in the year. This publication will both chronical and celebrate the numerous achievements made by Mass Retirees over a half century.

GIC To Hold 9 Public Hearings Across MA

From January 19th – 29th

JANAURY 5, 2018: Responding to calls for increased transparency and openness to public input, the state’s Group Insurance Commission (GIC) announced a series of public hearings for the month of January. A total of seven public hearings will take place across Massachusetts between Friday, January 19th and Monday, January 29th.

Impact of Federal Tax Law on Retirees Under Review

Passage May Clear Path For WEP Reform

 

DECEMBER 21, 2017: Now that Congress has passed and President Trump has signed federal tax reform legislation into law, analysis is underway on what it means for retirees.

GIC Selects CVS & Express Scripts for Pharmacy Management

Potential 3-Year Savings May Exceed $700 Million

 

Health Insurance Bids Now Under Review

Retirees Caution Against Cost Shifts & Benefit Erosion

The September edition of the Voice not only captured the attention of Association members, but also that of elected officials and the state’s Group Insurance Commission (GIC).

 

GIC Embarks on ‘Listening Tour’

Commission Seeks Retiree/Employee Input

 With decision time looming for the selection of insurance carriers, a pharmacy benefits manager and the establishment of plan design, the Group Insurance Commission (GIC) will begin a state-wide ‘Listening Tour’ on December 12th, designed to solicit input from enrollees.

Changes to GIC Board Pass Senate

Mass Retirees & Unions Would Gain Seats

 

SOCIAL SECURITY TO INCREASE BY 2%

Medicare Part B Also Expected To Rise

October 17, 2017: It’s now official. Just yesterday the Social Security Administration (SSA) announced that the 2018 COLA (Cost-of-Living Adjustment) for Social Security beneficiaries will be 2.0%, starting with benefits paid this coming January. This 2% COLA will produce an average increase of $27 in monthly SS benefits next year.

Retiree activists voice opposition to Lyons' pension reform

By J.D. Capelouto, Lowell Sun Statehouse Correspondent 

Several employee and retiree advocates spoke out on Tuesday against an Andover representative's bill that would majorly shake up the way Massachusetts calculates pensions for its workers. 

Retirees & Unions Make Case on Healthcare Protections

Retirees & Unions Make Case on Healthcare Protections

Litany of Bills Before Public Service Committee

 

Boston Mayor Marty Walsh to Attend Annual Meeting

Boston Mayor Marty Walsh to Attend Annual Meeting

We are pleased to share some exciting news: Boston Mayor Marty Walsh will be our special guest speaker at the Association’s Annual Meeting on Friday, September 8th at Lantana in Randolph. The meeting gets underway at 11:00 AM and all Mass Retirees members are invited join us in welcoming Mayor Walsh. 

 

Critics Ignore How Public Pensions Benefit U.S. Taxpayers, NCPERS Finds

Critics Ignore How Public Pensions Benefit U.S. Taxpayers, NCPERS Finds

August 15, 2017: Public pension plans are resilient, pose little burden on taxpayers, and stimulate the U.S.

State Budget Deal Struck

Healthcare Issues Remain Unresolved

JULY 7, 2017: After more than a month of negotiations, House and Senate budget conferees have struck a deal on the Fiscal 2018 State Budget. Both branches of the legislature are expected to approve the Conference Report today.

Fall Remains Likely Timeframe For Action on WEP

Bipartisan Support in Congress Remains Strong

JULY 7, 2017: Retirees who have fallen victim to Social Security’s dreaded offset laws remain anxious for news of progress on federal reform legislation now pending before Congress.

Negotiations Continue Over FY18 State Budget

Negotiations Continue Over FY18 State Budget

3% State & Teacher COLA Awaits Final Approval

 JULY 6, 2017: Mass Retirees officials are closely monitoring developments on Beacon Hill, where House and Senate Conferees continue to negotiate the final details of the Fiscal Year 2018 State Budget.

Retirees Fight For a Voice on Group Insurance Commission

Fate Rests With House/Senate Budget Conferees

JUNE 21, 2017: Members who are insured under the state’s Group Insurance Commission (GIC) are asked to contact their State Representative and Senator in support of a proposal granting Mass Retirees a seat on the board governing the health insurance plan.

Saugus retiree increase warranted

JUNE 15, 2017: The approval of the Saugus retiree COLA cap from the $12,000 to $14,000 was reasonable, overdue and justified because of the current financial success of the Saugus retirement system.

Saugus Town Meeting members increase pension benefits for retirees

Town Meeting members approved a cost of living adjustment that will mean more monthly pension benefits for retired town employees.

 

Senate Approves Major Restructure of State GIC

Senate Approves Major Restructure of State GIC

Mass Retirees Gains Commission Seat

MAY 24, 2017: Wednesday morning the Massachusetts Senate approved a major restructure of the state’s Group Insurance Commission, granting our Association and two additional public employee unions seats on the 17-member Commission.

Mass Retirees Fights Rising Insurance Costs

Budget Amendment Caps Payments

APRIL 14, 2017: Together with an AFL-CIO backed coalition of public employee unions, Mass Retirees has sponsored an amendment to the FY18 House budget proposal that lowers the cap on out-of-pocket health insurance costs.

Mass Retirees Endorses Paul Shanley For PRIM Board

PRIM BALLOTS DUE - Tuesday, MAY 9th

APRIL 10, 2017: For those retired members of STATE Retirement system who have not submitted ballots for this very important election at the State Pension Reserves Investment Management board (PRIM); Please vote on-line before Tuesday, May 9th  before 5pm, or by mail, postmarked before such deadline!

“Its essential we continue to have a voice on the investment arm of our state pension system, please vote for Paul Shanley”, Association President Frank Valeri.

Remembering Senator Ken Donnelly

Remembering Senator Ken Donnelly

Loyal Friend and Staunch Retiree Advocate

APRIL 7, 2017: The news of Senator Ken Donnelly’s passing on April 2nd after an 8-month battle with brain cancer was met with great sadness on Beacon Hill, across the firefighter community and amongst our members.

Donnelly, a retired Lt. from the Lexington Fire Dept. was not only a Mass Retirees member, but maintained a close friendship and collaboration with our Association dating back three decades.

Your guide to the most contentious parts of the GOP health-care plan

As printed by the Washington Post, March 24th.

Is the Republican health-care plan a return to freedom or a watered-down version of Obamacare? Will Republicans placate their base with a major legislative achievement, or will this be the party’s undoing for a generation of voters?

We’ve published the most incisive arguments from health experts and our columnists in the two weeks since Republicans unveiled this bill. As the debate reaches a climax, we’re giving you a guide to that commentary — pro and con, divided by subject matter: