Massachusetts House Passes Bill Extending Benefits for Retired Teachers

Bill extends retirement benefits for teachers who go into second careers in education state agencies

BOSTON – The House of Representatives recently passed legislation that would extend benefits for retired teachers who are then hired to work for the Massachusetts Executive Office of Education (EOE) and the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE). The bill would allow those employees to retain the status of “teacher” and remain in the Teachers’ Retirement System.

“As a former public-school teacher, I know the incredible impact that teachers can have on our students’ lives, and the value that they can bring to administrative positions given their experience as educators. That’s why it’s so important that we ensure that former teachers who choose to serve in administrative roles at EOE and DESE remain in the Teachers’ Retirement System, ensuring that they do not experience an interruption in their membership or service,” said House Speaker Ronald J. Mariano (D-Quincy). “I want to thank Leader Peisch, Chairman Ryan, and Representative Consalvo for their work on this issue, as well as all my colleagues in the House for recognizing the importance of these reforms.”

“I want to take the opportunity to thank Speaker Mariano, Leader Peisch, Chair Gordon, and Representative Consalvo, for all their hard work and advocacy on this bill. The legislation presents a fairness issue. A common-sense approach to fixing a long overdue matter for those who educate the children of the commonwealth. The bill will allow teachers who enrolled in a retirement system before July 1, 2001, the same rights as those who enrolled after that date,” said Representative Daniel J. Ryan (D-Boston), House Chair of the Joint Committee on Public Service. “Today’s bill allows those teachers, who were not enrolled in the R+ program in 2001, for whatever reason, an opportunity to now buy into the very same program, which would have been the case had the system worked correctly.”

“I was proud to join my colleagues in passing this important legislation to support the dedicated educators of our Commonwealth,” said Representative Jessica Giannino (D-Revere). “This bill corrects a long-standing inequity and ensures that retired teachers who continue their service in roles at EOE and DESE are not penalized for doing so. These individuals bring invaluable classroom experience into policymaking and administrative work, and they deserve retirement benefits that reflect their full contribution to public education in Massachusetts.”

“Though a relatively small number of people are impacted by this legislation, it is perhaps the most impactful legislation the House has passed in terms of correcting a governmental failure. Many, many teachers will now be treated fairly and allowed to enjoy a well-earned retirement,” said Representative Jeffrey Rosario Turco (D. Winthrop).

“I am once again pleased that the House has advanced this important legislation,” said Representative Alice Hanlon Peisch (D-Wellesley), Assistant Majority Leader and sponsor of the bill. “I introduced this bill after being approached by educators in my district—dedicated public servants who brought forward a serious and deeply personal concern. It quickly became evident that this was not an isolated incident, but an issue affecting educators across the Commonwealth. I am hopeful that this language advances through the legislative process in a timely manner, so that these individuals may receive the retirement benefits they have rightfully earned through years of service.”

“Many thanks to the Speaker, the Chairs and all my colleagues for supporting this very important legislation,” said Representative Rob Consalvo (D-Boston), a sponsor of the bill. “Our action will support hundreds of educators from my District, and all across the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, by correcting this inequity once and for all.”

The change that this bill makes applies to teachers who are vested in the Massachusetts Teachers’ Retirement System, or in the Boston Retirement System, and are subsequently employed by EOE or DESE.

Employees of EOE or DESE who are members of the state employees’ retirement system, and who are reinstated in the Teachers’ Retirement System or the Boston Retirement System because of the passage of this bill, would not be deemed to have had an interruption of membership or service. Upon reinstatement, the member must pay into the annuity savings fund of the Teachers’ Retirement System or the Boston Retirement System. The bill also mandates that a reinstated member be entered into the state employees’ retirement system as a Group 1 state employee upon retirement.

The bill passed today also establishes a new one-time opportunity to elect to participate in the alternative superannuation retirement benefit program for active or inactive members of the Teachers’ Retirement System who: are a teacher or school nurse; became eligible for membership before July 1, 2001; began contributing to the Teachers’ Retirement System before July 1, 2001; and did not provide a written election to participate or held a good faith belief that they elected to participate in the alternative superannuation retirement benefit program to the Teachers’ Retirement System before July 1, 2001 nor at any other time prior to September 1, 2025.

Having passed the House of Representatives 158-0 the bill now goes to the Senate for its consideration.