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H 2911

An Act relative to veteran buy backs

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

H 2911 permits Massachusetts veterans to repurchase forfeited military service time to restore pension eligibility and benefits, expanding state retirement obligations.

Hearing scheduled for 09/15/2025 from 01:00 PM-05:00 PM in A-1
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Bill Summary · H 2911

Legislative bill overview

H 2911 allows veterans to repurchase service time that was previously forfeited or lost due to administrative actions, military separation, or other circumstances. The bill would enable eligible veterans to reinstate pension or benefits eligibility by buying back years of service credit. This mechanism permits veterans to restore continuity in their service records for retirement and benefits calculations.

Why is this important

Veterans who lost service time through administrative discharge, medical separation, or other military actions could regain access to pension benefits and retirement security they might otherwise be denied. This addresses situations where service interruptions—sometimes beyond a veteran's control—created lasting financial consequences. The buyback provision recognizes that service time gaps may not reflect actual unwillingness to serve and allows remediation.

Potential points of contention

  • Cost to state pension system: Expanding benefit eligibility through service buybacks increases unfunded liabilities for the Massachusetts retirement system, potentially requiring higher employer contributions or affecting other budget priorities
  • Eligibility criteria unclear: The bill's language regarding which veterans qualify, under what circumstances, and what the buyback cost formula would be remains undefined in the summary, creating uncertainty about actual scope
  • Precedent and fairness questions: Allowing some veterans to restore lost service time raises questions about whether similarly situated individuals receive equal treatment and whether other employee groups should receive similar provisions

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

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