An Act to include teachers from the Springfield Empowerment Zone in the Massachusetts Teachers' Retirement System

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Alice Peisch and 1 co-sponsor

Expands MTRS retirement coverage to Springfield Empowerment Zone teachers, giving them the same benefits, contributions, and protections as other MTRS members.

Senate concurred

Summary of Bill HD 6181 (194th Massachusetts General Court)

Purpose and intent

This bill seeks to include teachers who are employed in the Springfield Empowerment Zone in the Massachusetts Teachers’ Retirement System (MTRS).

The aim is to extend retirement-system coverage to educators working in the Empowerment Zone, aligning their benefits with those available to teachers in other districts under MTRS.

Key provisions and changes

Coverage expansion: Adds teachers within the Springfield Empowerment Zone to the membership of the Massachusetts Teachers’ Retirement System. This expansion would integrate their retirement contributions, protections, and benefits with current MTRS rules.

Employer and employee contributions (potential implications): The bill would likely require the Empowerment Zone (as an employer entity) to participate in the standard MTRS funding and contribution framework, including required employer contributions and participating employee contributions, consistent with existing MTRS statutes. (Details such as exact contribution rates would be governed by current MTRS provisions and actuarial calculations.)

Benefits linkage: Once covered, eligible teachers would earn service credit, be eligible for retirement annuities, survivor benefits, disability benefits, and other MTRS-administered benefits on the same basis as other MTRS members.

Administrative alignment: The bill would necessitate administrative actions to add the Empowerment Zone to the MTRS membership roster, including enrollment processes, records transfer (if applicable), and coordination between the Zone’s payroll and the retirement system.

Who would be affected

Primary beneficiaries: Teachers employed by the Springfield Empowerment Zone who were previously outside the MTRS coverage.

Secondary stakeholders: The Springfield Empowerment Zone as an employer, the Massachusetts Teachers’ Retirement System, participating districts that may interact with MTRS data, and state fiscal planning bodies responsible for retirement system funding.

Procedural and timeline aspects

The bill introduces a statutory change to expand membership eligibility for MTRS.

As a proposed act, it would require passage by the Massachusetts General Court (both houses) and signature by the Governor to become law.

After enactment, implementation would involve enrollment of eligible Empowerment Zone teachers into MTRS, potential adjustments to employer contributions, and coordination of retroactive or prospective service credit rules as determined by MTRS guidelines and actuarial assessments.

Potential impacts and considerations

Financial impact: Enrollment of new members could affect MTRS actuarial accrued liability and required employer contributions; the bill may include or necessitate funding provisions or phased implementation to address fiscal implications.

Educational and workforce impact: Extending retirement benefits to Empowerment Zone teachers could influence recruitment, retention, and workforce stability in the Zone.

Equity and coverage: The measure aligns Springfield Empowerment Zone teachers with other public school teachers who are already covered by MTRS, reducing gaps in retirement security.

Note: This summary reflects the bill’s stated focus on expanding MTRS coverage to Springfield Empowerment Zone teachers. For precise fiscal estimates, contribution rates, and implementation details, the bill’s text and accompanying fiscal notes should be consulted.