An Act requiring creditable service for Massachusetts National Guard service

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Bridget Plouffe

Summary of H 2938: An Act requiring creditable service for Massachusetts National Guard service Overview- bill number: House Bill 2938- title: An Act requiring creditable service f

Hearing scheduled for 09/15/2025 from 01:00 PM-05:00 PM in A-1

Overview

bill number: House Bill 2938

title: An Act requiring creditable service for Massachusetts National Guard service

sponsor: Representative Bridget Plouffe (9th Plymouth)

introduced: February 27, 2025

current status: Hearing scheduled for September 15, 2025 (1:00 PM–5:00 PM) in hearing room A-1

committee action: Referred to the Committee on Public Service (February 27, 2025)

What the bill would change

Core objective: Ensure that Massachusetts National Guard service is treated as creditable service time for retirement purposes.

Section amended: Chapter 32 of the General Laws, Section 4.

Specific change: The bill would replace the existing language that grants credit for active service in the armed forces of the United States to include National Guard service.

New provision (summary): “Notwithstanding the provisions of this chapter or any other general or special law, rule or regulation to the contrary, a member in service of a retirement system defined in section 1 who is a veteran who served in the armed forces of the United States or a member of the Massachusetts National Guard who is a member in service of the state employees’ retirement system shall be entitled to creditable service time for active service in the armed services of the United States or service in the Massachusetts National Guard.”

Practical effect: National Guard service could qualify as creditable service time for retirement calculations, alongside active-duty military service, for members covered by the state employees’ retirement system.

Who would be affected

Primary beneficiaries: Members of the Massachusetts National Guard who are in service with the state employees’ retirement system.

Related beneficiaries: Veterans who served in the U.S. armed forces, already covered by existing provisions.

Retirement systems impacted: Likely the state employees’ retirement system (and related retirement boards) that administer creditable service determinations.

Procedural status and timeline

Filed: January 17, 2025 (House Docket No. 3967)

Introduced: February 27, 2025

Referred to: Committee on Public Service (February 27, 2025)

Hearing: Scheduled for September 15, 2025, 1:00 PM–5:00 PM, in Room A-1

Related activity: Similar matter previously filed as House D 2459 in the 2023-2024 session; current version is House No. 2938. Senate action listed as “concurred” on February 27, 2025 in the records provided, though formal conference/process would proceed through the Senate.

Related context

This bill adds parity by explicitly recognizing National Guard service as creditable, aligning the treatment of National Guard members with veterans’ service in the context of retirement credits.

Potential fiscal and administrative implications include adjustments to how retirement credits are calculated and documented, and possible effects on future retirement costs and fund solvency.

Takeaway

H 2938 seeks to broaden eligibility for creditable service time by explicitly recognizing Massachusetts National Guard service for members of the state employees’ retirement system, thereby enhancing retirement credit opportunities for National Guard members who have served the Commonwealth. A hearing is scheduled for September 15, 2025.