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Retired-State-County-And-Municipal-Employees-Association-Of-Massachusetts

Founded in 1968, now in its forty third year of serving retired Massachusetts public employees of the 105 public retirement systems within the Commonwealth, the Association is widely recognized as one of the strongest independent advocacy groups on Beacon Hill. From public pensions and health insurance, to federal issues such as the Social Security Windfall Elimination Provision, Government Pension Offset and Medicare the Association leads the fight exclusively for all Massachusetts retired public employees. We are The Voice of the Retired Public Employee.

ANNUAL JUNE LUNCHEON

Space is Limited, Reserve Your Tickets Today!

MAY 11, 2012: June is just around the corner and with it comes our Annual Greater Boston Luncheon to be held on June 22, 2012 at 12:00 noon. Once again, it will be held at the Holiday Inn, Route 1, Dedham.

Our Annual...

BUDGET DEBATE UNDERWAY IN HOUSE

3% COLA Approved & GIC Rates Maintained

APRIL 25, 2012: This week, debate is underway in the House of Representatives over the Fiscal Year 2013 State Budget. The weeklong debate will consider over 850 amendments to the $32 billion budget proposal.

House Ways...

GIC STATE RETIREES & SURVIVORS UNDER MEDICARE

OME Rates Clarified

APRIL 18, 2012: For the overwhelming majority of Medicare eligible retirees insured through the state’s Group Insurance Commission (GIC), the insurance plan of choice has long been the Optional Medicare Extension (OME) Plan...

COMMISSION FOCUSES ON HEALTHCARE FINANCES

Recent Insurance & Pension Reforms May Lower Costs

APRIL 6, 2012: On Thursday, the Special Commission to Study Retiree Healthcare held the first of its seven scheduled meetings at the State House. With 9 of its 11 members present, the Commission heard from a series...


Insurers, flexibility, and savings	Boston Globe
Group: Localities saved $80 million after curbing benefits	Boston Globe
Municipal Health Care Savings Continue to Climb	Mass Taxpayers Foundation
Gov. Cuomo’s Pension Proposal	New York Times
The elderly should share the burden	Washington Post

Latest Articles from The Voice

KERRY FILLS SOCIAL SECURITY VOID

Files Bipartisan WEP/GPO Repeal Bill

MARCH 2012 VOICE: For the thousands of retirees impacted by the Social Security Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) or Government Pension Offset (GPO), calendar year 2011 ended in disappointment after the issues were, once again, not addressed by Congress.

PROGRESS ON LEGISLATIVE FRONT DESPITE LAGGING ECONOMY

Formal Session Ends July 30

MARCH 2012 VOICE: As the first half of the 2011-2012 Massachusetts legislative session drew to a close last November, members witnessed several of our Association’s legislative initiatives (bills) become law through the passage of Chapter 176 (Pension Reform III).

PENSION FUND INVESTMENTS DOWN IN '11

MARCH 2012 VOICE: Year 2011 was not a good year for the $47.1 billion Commonwealth’s Pension Reserves Investment Trust (PRIT) Fund.

After strongly recovering from disastrous Year 2008, when the Fund lost -29.50% of its value, followed by earnings of 17.06% in Year 2009 and 13.56% in Year 2010, the Fund was a victim of the worldwide market slump last year. PRIT barely squeaked into the black with a return of 0.15%

New Studies Target Retirees

Association Appointed To Commissions

JANUARY 2012: Anyone hoping that the recently passed “Pension Reform III” (Chapter 176) would mark the end, at least for the foreseeable future, of further changes in pension and health insurance benefits will be sorely disappointed. Contained within the final pages of the new law is the establishment of four separate studies or commissions – all aimed at making greater changes to pension and health insurance benefits.

Ralph White 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 62,000 members as we continue the fight.