UPDATE: July 2025
Questions: Email retirementplus@massteacher.org.
While we are disappointed that a fair fix for RetirementPlus was not included in the final version of the FY26 budget, we are encouraged by the news that an early hearing is scheduled on Wednesday, July 16, at 1 p.m. at the State House. This is an important step in getting the bill passed into law. To testify at the hearing in person or virtually, please sign up. The deadline to sign up to testify is Monday, July 14, at 5 p.m.
Please let us know if you plan to attend the hearing (and we encourage you to attend and testify!). You can do that by registering here.
Testify at the 7/16 legislative hearing Register to attend the 7/16 hearing
The MTA thanks the members of the House of Representatives for including this language in their budget, and we urge the state Senate to support the expedited passage of H.2932 and S.1884, which would create a fair fix for RetirementPlus. These bills are before the Joint Committee on Public Service, and we are pushing for them to be heard and acted upon quickly. We are asking MTA members to convey this message to their state senators.
Email your senator Find phone numbers & emails for your legislators
Retirees from the MTA, AFT Massachusetts and Boston Teachers Union converged on the State House on Feb. 18 to urge their state legislators to pass legislation giving teachers a second chance to enroll in RetirementPlus. Read the letter from AFT Mass. and MTA to legislators in support of RetirementPlus legislation.These bills allow teachers hired before July 1, 2001, who did not provide a written election to participate in RetirementPlus, to have a second opportunity to do so.
H.2932 | S.1884 | Fact Sheet | Read about letter from 222 MTA & AFT Mass. | Letter to Legislators
Bills have been filed by Rep. Alice Peisch (D-Wellesley) and Rep. Rob Consalvo (D-Boston), and Sen. Liz Miranda (D-Boston) allowing teachers hired before July 1, 2001, who did not “elect” to join RetirementPlus to have a new opportunity to do so. These bills are nearly identical to a bill (H.5136) that passed the House in 2024. The MTA has once again made the passage of this bill one of its legislative priorities and is asking members to reach out to their legislators to request their help in getting this bill passed into law.
Background
In 2001, when RetirementPlus was first introduced, many teachers encountered a confusing enrollment process. Some never received an enrollment form while others were led to believe they were automatically enrolled in Retirement Plus, only later learning that they were not. The MTA has worked to rectify these issues administratively, however, an August 2023 ruling by the Division of Administrative Law Appeals has made it clear that legislation is needed to fix this problem.
In the ruling, DALA stated “that a 2001 teacher cannot join the § 5(4) benefits program [RetirementPlus] after missing the mid-2001 deadline, even in sympathy-provoking cases, and even if the teacher received no notice about the § 5(4) program” from their retirement system. This unfortunate but clear statement from DALA makes passing legislation the only way to rectify this unfair process.
Legislative Priorities FAQ Email your legislators
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Please contact your state Senator and call for the quick passage of our legislation, which creates a fair fix for RetirementPlus.
Learn about several bills under consideration by the Joint Committee on Public Service that would allow teachers hired before July 1, 2001, and who did not “elect” to join RetirementPlus, to have a second opportunity to do so. This webinar was presented on Nov. 14, 2023. The bills were filed in the 2023-24 legislative session.