Breaking News

One Million More Eligible for Vaccine on Thursday

One Million More Eligible for Vaccine on Thursday

Baker: High-Volume Sites Will Speed Process

Katie Lannan -  State House News Service

February 17, 2021: 

Massachusetts will roughly double the population eligible for COVID-19 vaccines on Thursday, when people over age 65, the residents and staff of affordable and low-income housing for seniors, and people with two or more health conditions that put them at higher risk will be newly able to make appointments.

Vaccine Call Center Goes Live for 75 and Older

Vaccine Call Center Goes Live for 75 and Older

Guv: Weekday Operation Will Be "Huge Help"

Chris Lisinski, State House News Service

FEB. 5, 2021.....More than a week after Gov. Charlie Baker first directed adults 75 and older to start booking COVID-19 vaccine appointments through an online-only platform, a state-run call center aimed at helping seniors who struggle to access or navigate the website is now live.

Latest news on vaccinations in MA

Latest news on vaccinations in MA

January 26, 2021: Last Friday, Shawn Duhamel reported on a request we made last week to the state of Massachusetts to prioritize the vaccination of all adults age 65+. I am happy to report that Governor Charlie Baker has heeded this request and that the vast majority of our members will soon be eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.

FY21 STATE BUDGET SIGNED INTO LAW

FY21 STATE BUDGET SIGNED INTO LAW

December 14, 2020: Governor Baker has signed the FY21 State Budget into law. This ends the 6-month delay of a final FY21 budget and funds the Commonwealth’s operations through June 30, 2021.  

FY21 STATE BUDGET SENT TO GOVERNOR

FY21 STATE BUDGET SENT TO GOVERNOR

Includes State/Teachers’ 3% COLA & Extends Retiree Work Waiver

December 4, 2020: House and Senate leaders completed work on the $46 billion-dollar FY21 budget with both branches voting on a conference committee report in a rare Friday session. The final version now goes to Governor Baker for approval. The vote today takes us one step closer to ending the 6-month delay of a final FY21 budget.

House & Senate Negotiate FY21 Budget Differences

House & Senate Negotiate FY21 Budget Differences

$46 Billion Budget Contains State/Teachers’ COLA

NOVEMBER 23, 2020: House and Senate leaders have begun negotiations over the FY21 budgets passed by each branch of the Legislature over the past two weeks. Since the House and Senate passed differing versions of the $46 billion spending plan, a compromise final version has to be negotiated in conference committee before receiving final approval and sent to Governor Charlie Baker for his approval.

A special guest

A special guest

NOVEMBER 20, 2020: This week, our Association President Frank Valeri joins me for our weekly video update. While it’s most often my face that our members see in these weekly updates, it’s important to remember that we have a team of people here at Mass Retirees working on your behalf. In the coming months you’ll be seeing and hearing more from them on a regular basis.

Budget contains good news for retirees

Weekly Mass Retirees News update

By Shawn Duhamel, CEO Mass Retirees Association

Before I jump into this week’s news, let me first remind you that our November Tele-Town Hall meeting takes place today (Friday) at 1:00 PM ET. The focus of today’s meeting will be the FY 21 State Budget, which is also the main subject of this email.

3rd Interim Budget Funds State Through November

3rd Interim Budget Funds State Through November

COLA & Retiree Work Extension In-Works

October 27, 2020: Working in coordination, Governor Charlie Baker and the state legislature have passed a 3rd interim FY21 State Budget that funds the Commonwealth’s operations through November. The first interim budget was passed in late June, covering operations for the month of July. A second budget was then passed to continue operations through October.

SOCIAL SECURITY ANNOUNCES 1.3% COLA INCREASE FOR 2021

SOCIAL SECURITY ANNOUNCES 1.3% COLA INCREASE FOR 2021

Congress Caps 2021 Medicare Part B Premium

October 15, 2020: As just announced by the Social Security Administration (SSA) this week, the benefits, payable to more than 64 million Social Security beneficiaries, will be increased by a 1.3% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA). This COLA increase will begin on December 31, 2020.