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SD 2102

An Act relative to defining employees in Group 2

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Paul Feeney

Massachusetts bill modifies Group 2 public employee pension definitions, potentially expanding benefits for protective service workers with significant fiscal implications for municipalities.

House concurred
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SD 2102

Legislative bill overview

SD 2102 proposes to modify how "employees" are defined within Group 2 of Massachusetts' public employee retirement system. Group 2 typically covers police officers, firefighters, and other protective service personnel who receive enhanced pension benefits. The bill's specific definitional changes would affect eligibility, contribution requirements, and/or benefit calculations for these workers.

Why is this important

Public employee pension definitions directly impact retirement security for thousands of workers and have significant long-term fiscal consequences for municipalities and the state. Changes to Group 2 classifications can affect municipal budgets substantially, as these positions carry higher employer contribution rates than other employee groups. Any definitional shift could influence who qualifies for accelerated retirement benefits or increased pension multipliers.

Potential points of contention

  • Scope of coverage: Disagreement over which job titles or positions should be included in Group 2's more generous benefit structure, with labor unions likely advocating for broader inclusion and fiscal conservatives seeking narrower definitions
  • Retroactive application: Whether definitional changes apply to existing employees and retirees or only prospectively, affecting both budget predictability and fairness concerns
  • Municipal fiscal impact: Cities and towns may face unexpected pension liability increases if the definition expands Group 2 membership, straining municipal budgets

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

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