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H 2744

An Act relative to veterans' buyback

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Shirley Arriaga

Bill allows Massachusetts veterans to purchase uncredited military service time to increase their state pension benefits, pending committee evaluation of costs and eligibility rules.

Accompanied a study order, see H5312 (under House Rule 27)
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Bill Summary · H 2744

Legislative bill overview

H 2744 allows Massachusetts veterans to buy back service time that was previously not credited toward their state pension benefits. This legislation enables eligible veterans to purchase additional years of creditable service, potentially increasing their retirement benefits based on their total years of service.

Why is this important

Veterans often have military service that doesn't automatically count toward civilian pension calculations, meaning they lose potential retirement income despite their public service. This bill addresses that gap by creating a mechanism for veterans to equalize their pension benefits by purchasing the missing service credits, which can significantly impact their retirement security.

Potential points of contention

  • Fiscal impact: The bill could increase long-term pension liability for the state, requiring funding mechanisms or actuarial analysis to determine the true cost
  • Eligibility scope: Questions remain about which veterans qualify, whether there are income limits, and how the buyback pricing will be calculated
  • Fairness concerns: Non-veteran public employees may question why this option isn't available to them for other service gaps or career interruptions

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

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