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HD 1023

An Act relative to veterans' buyback

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Alan Silvia

Allows Massachusetts veterans in public employment to purchase military service credit toward pension benefits, accelerating retirement eligibility but increasing pension fund liabilities.

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Bill Summary · HD 1023

Legislative bill overview

HD 1023 allows veterans to buy back military service time toward their public employee pension benefits in Massachusetts. This legislation would permit eligible veterans employed in state or municipal positions to purchase credit for their prior military service, reducing the years they must work to qualify for full retirement benefits.

Why is this important

Veterans often face a financial penalty when transitioning to public sector employment because their military service years don't automatically count toward pension eligibility, despite being comparable public service. This bill addresses a fairness issue affecting veterans' long-term financial security and retirement planning, while potentially improving recruitment and retention of veteran employees in government positions.

Potential points of contention

  • Cost to pension systems: Allowing service buybacks increases unfunded liabilities for municipal and state pension plans, potentially requiring higher contributions from taxpayers or employers
  • Equity concerns: Non-veteran public employees cannot purchase additional service credit, raising questions about whether this creates disparate treatment
  • Affordability for veterans: The cost of buying back years of service may be prohibitively expensive for lower-income veterans, limiting actual accessibility despite the law's intent

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

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