Bill
S 1889
Replaces the MTRS retirement formula with a new age-based multiplier table and requires a one-time retroactive recalculation for retirees over 65 to boost benefits.
Note on source documents
- The materials provided contain conflicting metadata (references to a federal Iran sanctions amendment and a New York “Purple Heart” designation). This summary focuses on the bill text and docket information for Senate Docket No. 2362 / Senate No. 1889 (Commonwealth of Massachusetts), titled “An Act relative to the Massachusetts Teachers’ Retirement System benefit calculation,” filed 1/17/2025.
Summary — purpose and intent
- The bill updates how retirement benefits are calculated under the Massachusetts Teachers’ Retirement System (MTRS) by replacing the statutory age-based percentage table used to compute pension benefits. It also requires a one-time recalculation of pension benefits for certain retired members, potentially increasing their annual payments where indicated.
Key provisions
1. Amend statutory benefit schedule
- Amends Section 5 of Chapter 32 of the General Laws (subsection 2, subdivision (a)) by striking and replacing the first age/percentage table used in benefit calculations.
- The new schedule establishes age-at-retirement percentage multipliers that increase with age. The schedule’s percentage values range roughly from 1.5% up to 4.65% depending on the retiree’s age at retirement (table rows shown for ages ~55 through 80 in the bill text).
- The table is shown with columns for different membership groups (Group 1, Group 2, Group 4); formatting in the provided text indicates the schedule applies unevenly across groups (some ages/columns have dashes), consistent with differentiated benefit rules by membership group.
Who is affected
- Primary: Active and retired members of the Massachusetts Teachers’ Retirement System — especially retirees who retired at age 65 or older (and those whose benefit would increase under the new schedule).
- Secondary: MTRS administration (responsible for recalculations and benefit adjustments) and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts (potential fiscal effects on pension liabilities and the state budget).
Fiscal and administrative impact (likely)
- Increased pension payments for eligible retirees would raise MTRS liabilities and ongoing payout obligations. The exact fiscal impact depends on how many retirees are eligible and the dollar-size of benefit increases.
- Administrative workload: MTRS must recalculate benefits for affected retirees and implement upgrades where due; systems and staffing costs may be incurred.
- The bill does not include an explicit appropriation or funding mechanism for any added liabilities.
Procedural/timeline status
- Filed (Senate Docket No. 2362 / Senate No. 1889): 1/17/2025 (presented by Michael O. Moore, by request).
- Referred to relevant committees (Public Service noted), reported and recommitted in some listings.
- Substituted by House bill A29 on 6/10/2025 (indicates the House bill became the vehicle for further action). As substituted, final language and implementation will follow the companion A29 and subsequent legislative action.
- Because S.1889 was substituted by A29, tracking A29’s progression is necessary to determine final enactment and any differences from this text.
Related and next steps
- Companion bill: A29 (House) — substitution suggests that A29 contains the operative language moving forward.
- For final effect and fiscal detail, review: the House substitute (A29), any committee reports, fiscal notes from the MTRS or state budget office, and the enacted text if passed.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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