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H 2955

An Act Authorizing the State Retirement Board to Retire Jamie J. Magarian, a Uniformed Member of the Department of State Police at the Regular Rate of Compensation

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Sean Garballey and 3 co-sponsors

Authorizes the State Retirement Board to retire Jamie J. Magarian with a lifetime regular-rate pension, 80% at mandatory retirement age, plus medical, lump-sum, and survivor benefi

Bill reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on House Ways and Means
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Bill Summary · H 2955

Summary: H 2955 — An Act Authorizing the State Retirement Board to Retire Jamie J. Magarian, a Uniformed Member of the Department of State Police at the Regular Rate of Compensation

Purpose and Intent

  • Authorizes the State Retirement Board to retire Jamie J. Magarian, a uniformed member of the Department of State Police, due to injuries sustained in March 2018 that left him totally and permanently incapacitated from performing essential duties.
  • Establishes that Magarian would receive a pension at the regular rate of compensation for a uniformed MSP member at the grade held at retirement, continuing until death or mandatory retirement age (whichever comes first). Additional benefits are to be funded and administered by the State Retirement Board under Chapter 32.

Key Provisions (by section)

  • Section 1
    • The SRB shall retire Jamie J. Magarian notwithstanding any other law.
    • Pension: annual amount equal to the regular rate of compensation he would have earned if he had continued in service at his current grade, for the duration of life or until mandatory retirement age.
    • Upon retirement, benefits are funded/administrated by the SRB per Chapter 32; amounts are non-taxable to the extent allowed by law.
    • Upon reaching the mandatory retirement age for MSP uniformed personnel, Magarian shall receive a pension under Chapter 32, Section 7, equal to 80% of the annual compensation he earned the day before reaching that age.
  • Section 2
    • Magarian may receive indemnification for hospital, medical, and related expenses incurred after retirement due to injuries from March 2018.
  • Section 3
    • In addition to other benefits, Magarian shall receive a lump-sum payment from the SRB equal to his total accumulated retirement deductions at retirement.
  • Section 4
    • If Magarian is married at retirement, upon his death his spouse would receive an annuity equal to 75% of the pension that would have been payable to him, for the remainder of the spouse’s life.
  • Section 5
    • The act takes effect upon passage.

Affected Parties and Scope

  • Primary subject: Jamie J. Magarian, a uniformed member of the Department of State Police.
  • Affects: State Retirement Board (SRB) administration and funding of Magarian’s retirement benefits; potential impact on the Commonwealth’s pension liabilities under Chapter 32.
  • Contingent impacts: Any spouse eligible for survivor benefits if Magarian is married at retirement.

Financial and Administrative Implications

  • pension benefits funded and administered by the State Retirement Board under Chapter 32; non-taxable to the extent allowed by law.
  • Includes:
    • Regular-rate pension for life or until mandatory retirement age.
    • 80% pension portion upon reaching mandatory retirement age.
    • Indemnification for post-retirement medical/hospital costs related to the 2018 injuries.
    • Lump-sum equal to total retirement deductions.
    • Optional survivor annuity of 75% to spouse if applicable.
  • Overall impact would constitute a long-term pension obligation and associated costs borne by the SRB and, by extension, the Commonwealth.

Timeline and Legislative Status

  • Introduced: February 27, 2025.
  • Referred to Public Service (02/27/2025); Senate concurred (date shown in materials).
  • Hearing: Scheduled for May 12, 2025 (01:00 PM–05:00 PM in A-1).
  • Status: Reported favorably by committee and referred to the House Ways and Means; House docket indicates passage through committee and onward consideration.

Additional Context

  • Related bill: HD 2783 (replaces), reflecting the same subject matter.
  • This bill is part of the 194th General Court (2025-2026) of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

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

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