Breaking News

STIMULUS PAYMENTS HAVE STARTED

APRIL 15, 2020: As of today, retirees have begun receiving their one-time stimulus payments that were part of the $2 trillion dollar package passed by Congress in late March. Those retirees with direct deposit on file with either the IRS or the Social Security Administration started seeing their payments show up this week in their accounts.

Stimulus payments will continue to be made over the coming weeks by the federal government.

Applying For Unemployment

Answering Member Questions

Public retirees were among the 469,000 Mass. residents who filed unemployment claims with the Mass. Department of Unemployment Assistance (DUA) over the past 3 weeks. With the ongoing COVID-19 crisis and economic decline, that number will unfortunately continue to grow at least for now.

Members, who have lost a job during the crisis, have reached out to us with their questions on applying for unemployment. Anticipating much of the same this month, we’ve listed below the most frequently asked questions.

Special Legislation Waives Retiree Work Limits for 2020

Final Approval by Governor Expected Soon

APRIL 3, 2020: Late Thursday, the Legislature passed special legislation that waives the legal limit on public retirees working in government jobs here in Massachusetts. Governor Charlie Baker is expected to sign this special act as soon as today, which will waive both the hour and earnings limits for superannuation retirees in 2020.

Don’t Fall For Medicare Scams

PRIM Board Election Underway

MARCH 25, 2019: This week, retired and active state employees began to receive ballots to cast a vote to elect your representative to the state's Pension Reserves Investment Management (PRIM) Board. Mass Retirees Executive Vice President Paul Shanley is the current elected member and is seeking reelection as your representative. Our Association has endorsed Paul and fully supports his reelection to this very important position.

Secure retirement benefits

Dear Members,

I hope you and your loved ones are safe and enduring this difficult time as best as you can. Here at Mass Retirees, our staff is doing as well as can be expected. We are still working on your behalf, albeit remotely. If you need us, please call or email.

Keeping our members safe

MARCH 13, 2020: We hope that you and your family are safe and doing well while our nation fights the spread of the coronavirus.

In light of ongoing efforts to combat the spread of COVID-19 and out of an abundance of caution for the health of our members, we have decided to postpone our upcoming membership meetings in Somerville and Leominster. We will make decisions on whether or not to proceed with future meetings based on the latest information available.

It's Our Anniversary!

Welcome to the 1st Anniversary of Mass Retirees’ Facebook Friday. This week: The state GIC approves FY21 health insurance premium rates for 465,000 enrollees, with no increase in copayments or deductibles – but the battle to control healthcare inflation rages on! Watch here!

GIC Approves Premium Rates for FY’21

No Increase in Copayments or Deductibles

February 27, 2020: The 17-member Commission voted today on the rates for the health insurances plans to be offered by it. The new plan rates will be effective July 1. While members will see an increase in their monthly premiums, their copayments and deductibles will remain unchanged.

Meet Our New Legislative Team

February 13, 2020: The start of a new decade marks the beginning of a new era for the Association’s legislative team.

Thomas Bonarrigo and Nancy McGovern – each a well-known and widely respected veterans of Beacon Hill – now lead our lobbying efforts.

As Legislative Chairman, Bonarrigo is a key member of our Executive Board and will work part-time in the Association’s Beacon Hill office. He will oversee our legislative program and our advocacy efforts at the State House.

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.