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LEGISLATURE PASSES 3% COLA INCREASE
Retiree GIC Contribution Rates Unchanged

June 20, 2009: On Friday, the Legislature approved the $27.4 billion Fiscal Year 2010 state budget, which is set to take effect on July 1. Despite the severe recession, that has resulted in deep budget cuts, the budget contains the full 3% COLA for state and teacher retirees. Nearly all local retirement systems have now approved the COLA for local retirees, which will also be paid in July.

While the Legislature opted to increase the insurance contribution rates for active state workers insured under the state's Group Insurance Commission (GIC), rates for retired state workers remain fixed at 90/10 (pre-7/1/94 retirees) or 85/15. Active state workers will now contribute 20% if they were hired prior to 7/1/03. Those hired after that date will contribute 25%.
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LEGISLATURE PASSES PENSION REFORM LAW

Current Retirees Not Effected By Benefit Changes


JUNE 11, 2009: The Massachusetts Legislature has passed sweeping pension reform legislation that will not only impact the pension benefits of future public employees, but could also alter the benefits of current active employees as well.


However, the debate surrounding pension reform and the legislation passed today does not impact the pension benefits now being received by current retirees. Changes could impact those retiring after June 30, 2009.

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NO RADIOLOGY COPAYMENTS FOR MEDICARE RETIREES

Emergency Room Payments Remain at $25

MAY 2009: Retirees insured under the state’s Group Insurance Commission (GIC) and enrolled in the Medicare supplement plans  will not be subject to the new $75 radiology copayment that takes effect on July 1. In addition, GIC officials have opted to maintain the current emergency room copayments for Medicare retirees, instead of the new $75 copayment being charged to enrollees of the non Medicare insurance plans

In the May edition of the Voice, the Association incorrectly reported that the increased copayments applied to Medicare retirees enrolled under the OME Plan, Harvard Pilgrim and Tufts Compliment. While these changes were considered by the GIC, the 15-member Commission opted not to include the OME Plan in the new radiology copayment or higher ER copayment. Further information on the state’s new insurance rates and plan designs can be found on the GIC’s website.

 
Current Voice
JULY COLAS VOTED

Despite Pension Funds' Setback

MAY 2009 VOICE:  Despite suffering huge pension fund losses as a result of the 2008 market meltdown, members of the Commonwealth’s 104 local retirement boards expressed faith that the market would recover by voting three percent July COLAs for their retirees.

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STATE KEEPS REIGNS ON INSURANCE RATES

Medicare Extension Costs Drop

MAY 2009 VOICE: A glimmer of good news has come to public retirees and employees who are insured under the state-run Group Insurance Commission (GIC). Once again the GIC has come in with insurance rates that are well below state and national averages.

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SOCIAL SECURITY OFFSETS ON TABLE

Overhaul On Horizon In 2010

MAY 2009 VOICE: In the midst of the worse economic conditions since the Great Depression, plans are underway in Washington, D.C. to act on Social Security reform early in 2010.


Despite having received overwhelming support in the past two Congresses for a full repeal of the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO), it has become evident that any change in Social Security would take place as part of a larger “reform” of the system.

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LEADERSHIP CHANGES IN KEY COMMITTEES

Spellane and McGee To Chair Public Service

MAY 2009 VOICE:  Leadership changes in the House and Senate have instituted two new chairmen and vice chairmen for the important Joint Committee on Public Service.

New House Speaker Robert DeLeo has appointed Robert Spellane (D-Worcester) to chair the Committee. Michael Rodrigues (D-Westport) will serve as the House vice chairman. The 39 year old Spellane and 50 year old Rodrigues are part of a new generation of leadership in the House.

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Ralph White For forty years the Retired State, County and Municipal Employees Association of Massachusetts has provided retired public employees their own voice on Beacon Hill.
 
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