For the over 300 registered guests who gathered in Danvers this fall, it was a time to come together and strengthen the resolve against the attacks put forth against our retirement system over the past year.

And as it turned out, MACRS has not been sitting on its thumbs since last spring. Its leaders have developed a strategy - a strategy which began with a 24-page White Paper, which was distributed to retirement board delegates at the fall conference - a white paper that is far more truthful and far more accurate about the successful service that our retirement systems have provided over the past 80 years, than the literature and information that our detractors have been spewing.

Titled “The Commonwealth’s Pension System: A Good Investment For Massachusetts”, the White Paper was commissioned by the Massachusetts Public Pension Forum (MPPF) to show the true strengths of our state’s 106 public retirement systems. The MPPF is a non-profit educational consortium comprised of the various financial firms, which invest and manage our public pension assets.

The conclusions of the White Paper are as follows: The Massachusetts retirement systems are financially sound; provide a good value for state and local taxpayers; are well funded; and help the state’s economy.

Another key finding of the report (one that is well known to public employees) is that today’s public employee is funding the majority of their retirement benefit on their own. As reported by the Blue Ribbon Panel last spring, Group 1 employees, who comprise the largest number of public employees, contribute 74.1% towards the funding of their pension benefit.

Even police and firefighters, who have earlier retirement ages and higher instances of disability, fund over 67% of their own pension benefit. Over time the percentages will increase as more employees are hired who will contribute an average of 10% of their salary into the pension system.

“By commissioning this study, the MPPF and its president, Gene Durgin, have helped to set the record straight in terms of the strengths of our retirement system. The facts really speak for themselves,” said Association President Ralph White. “For months the Romney-Healey Administration has used the Pioneer Institute’s white paper as a rallying call for pension reform.

“Now we have a document to point to that sets the record straight. We have a very healthy public retirement system here in Massachusetts, which is good for our retirees and employees, and helps to grow our local economy.”

Murray Addresses Conferees

One of the highlights of the conference was a speech by Lt. Governor-elect Tim Murray. As Worcester mayor, Murray has been a close friend and supporter of our public retirement systems and the important defined benefit pension plan that we provide.

In his remarks, Murray promised that the incoming administration, lead by Governor-elect Deval Patrick, is a friend of our public retirement systems. Marking a major shift from the outgoing Romney Administration, he pledged to work together and have open lines of communication.

Also addressing the conferees was Joel Barrera of the Metropolitan Area Planning Council, who outlined the ongoing effort to allow easier access of local retirees and employees to the state’s Group Insurance Commission (GIC). At the close of his remarks, Barrera answered a number of questions from local labor leaders.

“Between the White Paper, Lt. Governor Murray and Joel Barrera, we were exposed to a plethora of good information and issues that will be important during the coming legislative session,” commented the Association’s Shawn Duhamel. “Just the prospect of having an approachable Administration is a breath of fresh air.”

Award to Linda Cavanaugh

On banquet night, on the last day of the MACRS conference the prestigious Joe Carroll award was presented to Lynda Cavanaugh of the Westfield Retirement Board.

The award, named after former Teachers’ Retirement Board Director Joe Carroll, is in recognition of a person who has provided outstanding service to his/her retirement board over a period of time.

In presenting the award, MACRS Vice Pres. Denis Devine not only praised Cavanaugh’s work at the Retirement Board, but also recognized her dedication to MACRS. “Lynda has been a valuable asset to MACRS. She has spent countless hours of her own time working on behalf of our annual conference and promoting the MACRS message throughout the state,” said Devine.

“When there’s work to be done, we can always count on Lynda. For years we’ve somewhat taken it for granted that if there’s a job to be done that doesn’t fit the niche of our Executive Board, Lynda will handle it. It’s only fitting that we honor her with this award.”