In 2001, Massachusetts introduced RetirementPlus, which allows teachers to retire a little earlier if they increase the amount they contribute to their pension to 11% of their salary. Teachers hired before July 1, 2001, had the option to elect to join RetirementPlus when it was enacted through an often-confusing process that led many to believe they were automatically enrolled, only later learning that they were not.

H.2630 would create a fair and clear pathway for teachers hired before July 1, 2001, to have a second opportunity to join RetirementPlus. A recent ruling by the Division of Administrative Law Appeals (DALA) has made it clear that legislation is needed to fix this problem. The bill is currently before the House Committee on Ways and Means, where it was sent after receiving a favorable report from the Public Service Committee.

The legislature needs to pass this bill before the session ends on December 31 or it will need to be refiled and restart the process in the next legislative session.

CALL YOUR STATE REPRESENTATIVE NOW! Call your state representative today and ask them to contact the Speaker and Ways and Means Chair and ask them to support H.2630, “a bill that will give teachers like me a second chance to buy back into RetirementPlus.” You can also call your Senator to ask them to support the bill once it makes it to the Senate. You can find your legislators' contact numbers by clicking here.

Email your state representative and urge them to support this bill! Feel free to personalize the letter by sharing your story and why reopening enrollment in RetirementPlus is so important to you. Click here for more information about the bill.