Massachusetts bill lets teachers retain retirement system status when moving to state education agencies and opens a new alternative retirement program window

Original title: An Act relative to benefits for teachers

Last action · July 30, 2025: New draft substituted, see H4361Sponsors: Alice Peisch and 104 others

Bill progressHistory & official text ↓

Introduced

Committee

Floor Vote

Passed

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What This Bill Would Do

Teachers and school nurses who move to the executive office of education or department of elementary and secondary education may now retain their membership in the teachers' retirement system or Boston retirement system. The measure also provides a 180-day window for certain long-standing members to elect into the and allows school districts to employ retired teachers during critical staff shortages without restoring active membership.

Why it matters

Educators who transition to state education agencies protect their retirement system continuity, and certain veteran teachers gain a new 180-day window to join the by making an 11 per cent contribution rate.

Who It Would Affect

Groups the bill's text would affect if enacted, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.

Directly affected

teachers

Teachers retain retirement system status when transferring to state education agencies and gain a new window to elect alternative retirement benefits.

Directly affected

school nurses

School nurses meeting service criteria receive eligibility for the 1-time alternative superannuation retirement benefit program election window.

Directly affected

retired teachers

Retired teachers can be employed by school districts during critical shortages without restarting active retirement system membership.

Key Facts

You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens to a teacher's retirement system if they take a job at the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education?

They remain in the teachers' retirement system or the Boston retirement system and are not considered to have an interruption in service.

Who is eligible for the new 180-day window to join the alternative superannuation retirement benefit program?

Active or inactive members who are teachers or school nurses, established membership before July 1, 2001, and previously declined or failed to provide a written election for the program.

Can school districts rehire retired teachers during teacher shortages?

Yes, districts with a critical shortage of certified teachers may employ retired members as teachers or mentors without those individuals resuming active retirement system membership.

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Where This Stands

Currently in committee. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Floor Vote.

Procedural history

9 actions

Jul 30, 2025House
New draft substituted, see H4361
Jul 30, 2025House
Read second, amended (as recommended by the committee on House Ways and Means)
Jul 30, 2025House
Committee reported that the matter be placed in the Orders of the Day for the next sitting with the amendment pending
Jul 30, 2025HouseCommittee
Referred to the committee on House Steering, Policy and Scheduling with the amendment pending
Jul 30, 2025House
Committee recommended ought to pass with an amendment, substituting therefor a bill with the same title, see H4361
Jul 21, 2025HouseCommittee
Bill reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on House Ways and Means

Show 3 earlier actions

Jul 7, 2025Joint
Hearing scheduled for 07/16/2025 from 01:00 PM-05:00 PM in A-2
Feb 27, 2025Senate
Senate concurred
Feb 27, 2025HouseCommittee
Referred to the committee on Public Service

Version history

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