Breaking News

A 5.9% COLA

10/15/2021 Weekly Update, By Shawn Duhamel

If you have read our September newsletter or watched/read any of my recent weekly updates, then you know that a major focus of our ongoing work is to make improvements to the annual COLA or cost-of-living adjustment. Wednesday’s news that the CPI is now 5.9% only bolsters our argument that more needs to be done in this area.

What about the WEP?

October 8, 2021

By, Shawn Duhamel

On Wednesday we went to press with the November edition of the Voice, which should begin to arrive in member’s mailboxes by end of the week of October 18th. In this edition we focus heavily on the pension cost-of-living -adjustment, making a strong case as to why our retirees deserve improved COLA benefits and how the retirement systems can fund the increase. The data and facts are clearly spelled out to help pass these improvements for the coming FY23.

Work progresses on Beacon Hill

October 1, 2021 Weekly Update: By Chief Executive Officer Shawn Duhamel

Before my brief hiatus in August, I reported to you that we anticipated a very busy fall. I’m happy to say that not only were we correct, but that things have been even busier than we would have thought.

Benefit Check Delays Continue To Frustrate New Retirees

September 28, 2021: The "number-one problem" that Mass Retirees President Frank Valeri hears from his members is that it takes too long for newly retired public employees to collect their first monthly benefit check. Warning that the sizable gaps between a retirement date and a payment date put undue financial strain on workers at the end of their careers, Valeri urged lawmakers Tuesday to adopt reforms that guarantee delivery of at least partial checks by the due date. "These are the things that bother me," Valeri told the Public Service Committee.

Weekly Update: Latest Retirement News

By Shawn Duhamel, Chief Executive Officer

Breaking News: Gov Rejects Part-Time Work Increase

Sends Back Amended Budget Section

JULY 19, 2021: Governor Charlie Baker signed the $47.6 billion Fiscal Year 2022 budget on Friday, July 16^th. While no changes were made to the State and Teacher retirees COLA or the Group Insurance Commission line items, he did return certain items to the legislature with amended language.

A special town hall meeting Friday, 6/25

June 18, 2021 - Weekly News Update: A big benefit of holding Tele-Town Hall meetings is that they enhance our ability to bring important guest speakers to our members on a regular basis.

Work Waiver Extension Update – Efforts Still Underway:

June 16, 2021- Late last evening, the House and Senate passed a bill that would extend several COVID-19 policy measures that expired when the Governor’s state of emergency was lifted on June 15th. The House passed their version mid-morning and in an unusual move the two versions were sent to conference committee and hammered out the same day. The Senate version included language that would extend the Post Retirement Work Waiver until December 15th, 2021.

Senate Passes Post-Retirement Work Waiver Extension

June 10, 2021-Thursday the Senate passed the Post-Retirement Work Waiver Extension amendment as part of legislation that addressed policies related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The current waiver was set to expire when the Governor’s state of emergency order expired on June 15^th.

Extension of Post-Retirement Work Waiver Before Senate

Mass Retirees Seeks Extension Through Year-End

June 9, 2021 – On Thursday the state Senate is poised to debate legislation aimed at addressing various public policies related to the COVID-19 pandemic that are set to expire next week when Governor Baker’s Public Health Emergency Order ends on June 15th. Of direct concern to our Association is the expiration of the post retirement work waiver that has been in place since March 2020.

Retirees

Public Employees

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 52,000 members as we continue the fight.