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A special town hall meeting Friday, 6/25

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:

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

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 15th. 

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.

National Support for WEP Reform Grows

The following state and national public retiree associations, public employee unions and retirement advocacy organizations have each publicly endorsed H.R. 2337, Congressman Richard Neal's Social Security WEP reform proposal.

Endorsements of the Public Servants Protection & Fairness Act of 2021 (HR 2337)

National groups:

Update: Post-Retirement Work Hours Budget Language and Special Waiver Extension in The Works

Update: Post-Retirement Work Hours Budget Language and Special Waiver Extension in The Works

June 2, 2021 - Last Thursday the State Senate completed their FY22 budget debate and soon the conference committee will begin their work to hammer out a final document. As reported prior, the House voted unanimously to support the Mass Retirees amendment, filed by Representative Mark Cusack, that would increase the post retirement work hours from 960 hours to 1200 hours. While Senator Mike Brady did file the same amendment on the Senate side the language was not included.

Pension Fund Hits All-Time High, Beating 2020 Return Targets

Pension Fund Hits All-Time High, Beating 2020 Return Targets

MAY 26, 2021: The Massachusetts state pension fund hit another all-time high when the most recent quarter ended March 31, capping a one-year period that saw a return of 30 percent and an investment gain of $21 billion with $90.1 billion in assets now under management.

Work Continues on Post Retirement Budget Amendment and State of Emergency Special Waiver

Work Continues on Post Retirement Budget Amendment and State of Emergency Special Waiver

MAY 20, 2021: The State Senate will begin their budget process next week. The Association worked with Senator Michael Brady (D-Brockton), who cochairs the Public Service Committee, to file an amendment (Floor Amendment No. 94) that would increase the post retirement work hours from 960 to 1200. The amendment mirrors that which was included in the House budget last month. The language would increase the weekly average from 18.5 hours to 23 hours, bringing more in line with traditional part time work. The amendment does not change the earnings restriction.

Support for Social Security WEP Reform Grows

Support for Social Security WEP Reform Grows

Active Employees Join with Retirees in National Campaign

APRIL 29, 2021: Our all-out drive to pass a reform of the Social Security Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) is showing early signs of success, as a growing number of state and national organizations are publicly backing the passage of H.R. 2337.

House Unanimously Approves Increase in Post-Retirement Work

House Unanimously Approves Increase in Post-Retirement Work

Budget Section Boosts Hours to 1,200 Annually

April 28, 2021: Today, the Massachusetts House of Representatives approved a Mass Retirees-backed amendment to the FY22 State Budget that would increase the hours for post-retirement public sector work by 240 hours annually.