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Bill

H 2759

An Act authorizing the State Board of Retirement to grant creditable service to Paul Lemelin

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Natalie Blais

Authorizes creditable service for Paul Lemelin’s work 2011–2023 to determine his SERS retirement, offset by a buyback payment before retirement.

Bill reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on House Ways and Means
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Bill Summary · H 2759

Summary of H 2759: An Act authorizing the State Board of Retirement to grant creditable service to Paul Lemelin

What the bill does

  • This act directs the State Board of Retirement to grant Paul Lemelin creditable service for his work with the Franklin Regional Council of Governments during November 14, 2011, through January 20, 2023, for the purpose of determining his superannuation retirement allowance under Chapter 32 of the General Laws.
  • Before any retirement allowance for Lemelin becomes effective, he must pay the State Employees’ Retirement System an amount equal to what would have been withheld from regular compensation during the covered period, calculated at his annual rate of regular compensation immediately prior to the period, plus buyback interest. The payment can be made in one lump sum or in installments under terms set by the State Board of Retirement.
  • The act takes effect upon passage.

Key provisions

  • Section 1: Overrides any contrary law, rule, or regulation to credit Lemelin with the requested service for retirement eligibility and benefit calculation under Chapter 32, Section 5, Paragraph (a) of Subdivision (2).
  • Section 1 also establishes the buyback mechanism: Lemelin must reimburse SERS with a specified amount (as described above) either in a lump sum or through installments, including buyback interest, before his retirement allowance becomes effective.
  • Section 2: Effective date is upon passage of the act.

Who is affected

  • Paul Lemelin, an employee of the Franklin Regional Council of Governments.
  • The Massachusetts State Employees’ Retirement System (SERS) and its governing State Board of Retirement.
  • Potentially the employing entity (Franklin Regional Council of Governments) indirectly, through any implications for Lemelin’s retirement benefits.

Procedural and timeline context

  • Introduced: February 27, 2025 (House Docket No. 2716; House No. 2759).
  • Referred to the Committee on Public Service on February 27, 2025.
  • Related action: Similar matter previously filed in 2023-2024 (House No. 4020).
  • Hearing: Scheduled for September 15, 2025, from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM in hearing room A-1.
  • Status: Senate concurrence noted in the bill’s docket; the act would take effect upon passage.

Financial and impact considerations

  • The bill creates a one-off “buyback” arrangement for Lemelin, aligning his credited service with the service performed during the 2011–2023 period.
  • The cost to the retirement system depends on the calculated buyback amount and the resulting adjustment to Lemelin’s retirement benefit; Lemelin would pay the amount owed (plus buyback interest) to SERS, either in a lump sum or installments.
  • By crediting additional service, Lemelin’s eventual retirement allowance under Chapter 32 could be increased.

Context

  • This is a targeted, one-individual creditable-service bill, similar in structure to prior legislation (e.g., House No. 4020 of 2023-2024). It does not appear to create a general policy change but rather to address Lemelin’s specific retirement calculation.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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