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H 2862

An Act relative to the retirement benefits of Howard S. Levine

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Jamie Eldridge and 1 co-sponsor

Provides Levine an increased accidental disability retirement at 72% of CO III pay (adjusted for raises) and a 75% survivor annuity for his spouse upon death, effective on passage.

Hearing scheduled for 06/02/2025 from 01:00 PM-05:00 PM in A-2
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Bill Summary · H 2862

Summary of H.2862: An Act relative to the retirement benefits of Howard S. Levine

Overview

H.2862 proposes targeted retirement benefit enhancements for Lieutenant Howard S. Levine of Raynham, related to injuries sustained in the line of duty. The bill seeks to increase his accidental disability retirement allowance and establish a survivor annuity for his spouse. The act is to take effect upon passage.

Key Provisions

  • Section 1 – Increased accidental disability retirement allowance:
    The State Board of Retirement would grant Lieutenant Levine an increased accidental disability retirement allowance. Specifically, Levine would receive a yearly pension equal to 72% of the rate of compensation he would have received had he continued serving as a Correction Officer III in the Department of Correction at the time of his retirement. The allowance is to maintain parity with any pay increases negotiated for Correction Officer III personnel (i.e., it would be adjusted to stay in line with collective bargaining increases).

  • Section 2 – Spousal survivor annuity:
    Upon Levine’s death, if his wife Charlene Ann Levine survives him, the State Board of Retirement would pay her an annuity equal to 75% (three-fourths) of Levine’s pension amount at the time of his death, for as long as she remains unmarried.

  • Section 3 – Effective date:
    The act would take effect upon passage.

Affected Parties

  • Primary: Lieutenant Howard S. Levine (and his surviving spouse, Charlene Ann Levine).
  • Administrative/operational: State Board of Retirement; Department of Correction (to the extent impact is tied to the CO III pay scale).
  • Broadly, the Massachusetts Public Retirement system funding and actuarial considerations.

Procedural History & Status

  • Introduced: February 27, 2025.
  • Current status: Hearing scheduled for June 2, 2025, from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM in hearing room A-2.
  • Committee action: Referred to the Committee on Public Service on February 27, 2025.
  • Legislative actions noted: Related matter previously filed in 2023-2024 (HD 2551).
  • Related/alternate references: House Docket No. 2445; House No. 2862.

Fiscal/Timeline Considerations

  • The bill specifies changes to an individual’s retirement benefits and a survivor annuity, which would incur ongoing retirement system costs. The text does not attach a funding source or explicit dollar figures. If enacted, the State Board of Retirement would implement the 72% benefit and the 75% survivor annuity, with automatic alignment to CO III pay increases.

Notes

  • The bill contains a targeted remedy for Howard S. Levine and does not appear to apply broadly beyond his case, though it would set a precedent for similar future actions if enacted.

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

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