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Pursuant to M.G.L. Chapter 32, Section 20 (4)(b), an election will be held for the position of Elected Member of the Worcester Retirement Board for a term of three (3) years to commence January 1, 2012.

All holding membership in the Worcester Retirement System, including retirees, are eligible as candidates provided they file with the Worcester Retirement Board a nomination paper containing the signatures of at least 20 members of the system. Nomination papers may be obtained at the Worcester Retirement Office, Room 103, City Hall, on or after Thursday, September 15, 2011. The final date for filing nomination papers will be 12:00 PM on Monday, October 31, 2011. Candidates who file papers will have until Friday, November 4, 2011 to indicate their acceptance or withdrawal.

Ballots will be mailed to members no later than November 17, 2011 to be returned and counted by December 15, 2011.

It is hereby determined that Elizabeth A. Early was the only candidate nominated to be Elected Member to the Worcester Retirement System. Therefore, at the meeting of the Worcester Retirement System held on Thursday, September 16, 2010, the Board voted to declare elected Elizabeth Early the Elected Member to the Worcester Retirement System and that no election shall be held. Her term will commence on November 1, 2010 and expire on October 31, 2013. She will serve in all respects as though she had been elected by election.

Chapter 188 of the Acts of 2010 - The Municipal Relief Act

Effective July 27, 2010; had several sections that amended Chapter 32:

• Extended full pension funding to 2040.
• Provides a Local Option to increase the Cost of Living Base.
• Provided a three year Early Retirement Incentive.

Chapter 131 of the Acts of 2010 - State Budget Act

Effective July 1, 2010; had several sections that amended Chapter 32:

• Capped pensionable compensation for new members after January 1, 2011 at 64% of Federal limit (indexed annually). Federal limit is currently $245,000. 64% of that would limit new employees to $156,800 of pensionable earnings.
• Set increase rate at 3% on voluntary member refunds with fewer than 10 years service.
• Allowed Local Option to increase §101 widows benefit to $9,000.
• Allowed employers to prorate health insurance of retirees after January 1, 2011 among their prior MA Public Employers.

Chapter 21 of the Acts of 2009

Effective July 1, 2009:

• Eliminated Termination Allowances for Elected Officials.
• Eliminated one day in office for one year service for Elected Officials.
• Required Elected Officials to serve 10 years to vest (previously 6 years).
• Elected Officials earning less than $5,000 no longer earned creditable service.
• Redefined pensionable compensation.
• Changed pension calculation for Dual Members.
• Changed the Disability Calculation for members working out of grade.

John F. Mahan has been elected to the Worcester Retirement Board for a three-year term commencing January 1, 2009. More information (61KB).

Elizabeth A. Early, who has served as a Board member since November 1998, has been re-elected to the Worcester Retirement Board for a three-year term commencing November 1, 2007.

Recently, the definition of "veteran" was changed for purposes of allowing active members to purchase military service in conjunction with retirement benefits under M.G.L. Chapter 32. This change has now become effective.

Please review the revised Veteran's Creditable Service form (99KB) to determine if you may be now eligible to purchase military service. If you have questions, please contact the Worcester Retirement System.

By recent action, the Massachusetts Legislature has re-instated benefits formerly available through the so-called "spousal benefit" provision. M.G.L. Chapter 32, Section 5(1)(e). The spousal benefit had permitted an otherwise eligible public employee, whose spouse had previously retired from public service, to retire with his/her superannuating retirement allowance calculated at age 55, regardless of whether he or she was under age 55 as of the retirement date. The spousal benefit was repealed as of November 1, 2003.

In order for a retirement system member to now utilize the benefits of the "spousal benefit" under the Legislature's action the following criteria must be met:

1. two spouses married to each other must both be members of the same or different retirement systems;
2. each of the spouses were members in service of a retirement system on or before November 1 2003; and,
3. one of the two member spouses is retired under the provisions of M.G.L Chapter 32, Sections 1 to 28.

If the preceding requirements are met, then the second member, upon his or her written application to a retirement board, shall be retired for superannuation regardless of his/her age. Under the legislation, the retirement of the second member spouse must occur on a date subsequent to, but not more than, four months after the date of filing a retirement application.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the Worcester Retirement office.