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HD 6237

An Act relative to pension benefits for firefighter Leo J. Bracken

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Rob Consalvo

Provides Leo Bracken a enhanced 100% of current earnings disability pension, non-taxable, with medical indemnification and survivor benefits, funded by the Boston Retirement Board.

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Bill Summary · HD 6237

Summary of HD 6237 (Session 194th) – An Act relative to pension benefits for firefighter Leo J. Bracken

Purpose and intent

  • This bill would provide a targeted set of pension and related benefits for Leo J. Bracken, a firefighter for the city of Boston who sustained injuries in the line of duty on October 17, 2019. The act seeks to recognize his injury with enhanced disability benefits and certain ancillary protections, funded and administered by the Boston Retirement Board.

Key provisions and changes

  1. Enhanced disability pension (Section 1)

    • The Boston Retirement Board is directed to increase Leo J. Bracken’s disability pension.
    • The annual pension would be equal to 100% of the regular rate of compensation Bracken would have earned had he remained in service at his then-current grade until death or mandatory retirement age, whichever comes first.
    • The enhancement applies notwithstanding any contrary law (general or special).

  2. Non-taxable status (Section 1)

    • Benefits provided under this act would be non-taxable to the extent permitted by state and federal law.

  3. Earnings limitation (Section 1)

    • Bracken’s annual earnings, when added to his retirement allowance, may total up to 50% of his retirement allowance without refund penalty, subject to applicable law.

  4. Funding and administration (Section 1)

    • The enhanced benefits shall be funded and administered by the Boston Retirement Board in accordance with Chapter 32 of the General Laws.

  5. Medical indemnification (Section 2)

    • Bracken would be entitled to indemnification for hospital, medical, and related expenses incurred after retirement for injuries sustained in the line of duty, under Sections 100 and 100B of Chapter 41.

  6. Lump-sum accumulated deductions payment (Section 3)

    • The Boston Retirement Board must promptly pay Bracken the amount accumulated in his annuity savings fund as of the act’s effective date.

  7. Survivor benefit (Section 4)

    • If Bracken was married at retirement and remains married to the same spouse at his death, the surviving spouse would receive an annuity equal to 75% of the pension Bracken would have received, for the spouse’s lifetime, subject to the limitations of Section 103 of Chapter 32.

  8. Effective date (Section 5)

    • The act takes effect upon passage.

Who is affected

  • Primary recipient: Leo J. Bracken, a Boston firefighter injured in the line of duty.
  • Financial and governance impacts fall on the Boston Retirement Board, which would administer and fund the enhanced pension, medical indemnification, and survivor benefits as outlined.
  • The act does not appear to alter benefits for other retirees beyond Bracken and does not create a general policy change for all members of the Boston Fire Department or the city’s pension program.

Procedural and timeline notes

  • The bill is filed and would take effect upon passage if enacted.
  • It contains explicit directives for immediate action by the Boston Retirement Board regarding payment of accumulated deductions.

Summary assessment

  • The bill is a targeted pension enhancement for a single firefighter, providing a 100% of-current-earnings disability pension, protection of non-taxable status, a defined earnings-allowance cap, and a survivor benefit, all funded and administered by the Boston Retirement Board with an expedited payment of accumulated deductions. It also ensures medical indemnification for post-retirement costs related to the 2019 injury.

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

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