Increase in Deaths Similar to State Results
Upon review of the Mass Teachers’ Retirement System’s (MTRS) Annual Reports for the pre-COVID years and throughout the pandemic years (FY2018 -2023), we found that COVID impacted the teacher retiree population in much the same way as it did to state retirees.
Like the State system, these years are documented on a Fiscal Year basis in the MTRS Reports and we reviewed the two fiscal years, FY’s 2018-2019 as pre-COVID (July 1, 2017- June 30, 2019) along with the ensuing four fiscal years, FY’s 2020-2023, with, as we indicated earlier, the pandemic beginning in early 2020. Technically, the official beginning of the COVID- 19 was in the middle of the fiscal year 2020 (June 30, 2019- July 1, 2020). Again, given the Annual Report data is only on a fiscal year basis, we considered that fiscal year as a COVID pandemic period.
In reviewing the two pre-pandemic years, fiscal years 2018 and 2019, the total number of reported deaths for retirees and survivors was very consistent, 1,704 and 1,633 deaths respectively. During the next four COVID years, beginning in early 2020, in the middle of FY2020 when the first official designation of an emergency was declared, retiree and survivor deaths increased approximately 11.5% from the prior two pre- COVID years to a total of 1,822 deaths. While deaths leveled at a comparably high number (1,807) in FY21, deaths reached an all-time high during the final two fiscal years of the COVID era (2022- 2023) with another 1,958 and 1,959 members passing away respectively. These increases constitute a total increase in deaths during the COVID years to more the 13% above pre-COVID years.
In summary the MTRS Retirement System reported an average death total of 1,669 for the two pre-COVID years, FY18-FY19, and an average of 1,887 deaths for FYs 20-23, by 13% increase. (See Chart)
Valeri continued,“While we recognize the increased growth in total retiree membership during these years, the significant jump from pre-COVID years to the COVID era and the percentage increase of deaths exceeding such membership increase, we feel is worth noting. However, ending on a more positive note, early implementation of various public safety protocols, shutdowns of public buildings and events, the development of vaccines and antibiotics have stabilized the terrible effects of COVID – 19.”
Based upon our review of the records from FY18 thru FY23 , we made the following findings:
- During the two pre-pandemic fiscal years 2018 and 2019, the total number of reported deaths for retirees and survivors was very consistent at 1,704 and 1,633 deaths respectively.
- During FY20, when at the beginning of 2020, the first official designation of an emergency was declared, retiree and survivor deaths increased to 1,822 deaths – an almost 11.5% from the prior two pre COVID years.
- During the next fiscal year of the COVID pandemic (FY21), retiree and survivor deaths rose by more than 8%, a record total of 1,807 deaths.
- During the final two COVID years (FY22 & FY23) in our review, deaths remained very high with another 1,958 and 1,959 respectively, members passing away.
