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H 2843MASSACHUSETTSSession 194thState Billin committee

Massachusetts Bill H.2843 Establishes Public Higher Education Retirement Incentive Program

Original title: An Act to provide retirement incentives in public higher education

Last action · March 30, 2026: Accompanied a study order, see H5312 (under House Rule 27)Sponsors: Carmine Gentile and 2 others

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What This Bill Would Do

Eligible state university employees can purchase up to six additional credits of age or service toward their retirement allowance under a new state universities retirement incentive program established by H.2843. Participating employees must apply by April 1, 2024, and retire by June 30, 2026, or a delayed date no later than December 31, 2026. The legislation requires state universities to achieve direct payroll savings starting in 2027.

Why it matters

Changes retirement eligibility criteria and contribution requirements for public higher education staff seeking early retirement incentives, shifting personnel costs and staffing levels across state institutions of higher education.

Background

House Bill 2843 was filed in the 194th session of the Massachusetts General Court by Representative Carmine Lawrence Gentile. context

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

State university employees

Eligible employees are offered the option to purchase retirement credits, receive retirement counseling, and elect early retirement incentives under specific eligibility rules.

Directly affected

State universities

Universities must achieve direct payroll savings, provide separation notices, make payments to the state board of retirement for purchased credits, and certify employee salary and position details.

Directly affected

State board of retirement

The board is required to establish the retirement incentive program, process applications, provide retirement counseling, and manage credit purchases.

Key Facts

The state board of retirement must establish a retirement incentive program for eligible employees of state universities.
Participating employees can purchase up to a maximum of 6 total credits combining years of creditable service and years of age.
State universities must achieve direct payroll savings in fiscal year 2027 and beyond through the implementation of the act.
Eligible employees must submit an application to the state board of retirement on or before April 1, 2024.

Show all 12 facts

The requested retirement date for eligible employees is June 30, 2026, with a possible delayed date of no later than December 31, 2026.
Employees whose compensation is funded from a capital appropriation or federal grant are ineligible for program benefits.
Elected officials and non-contributing retirement system members are excluded from participating in the program.
Program participants pay 4.5 per cent of their highest 3-year annual average salary, plus an additional 1.0 per cent for amounts above $30,000, for each purchased credit.
State universities pay 2.5 per cent of the participant's highest 3-year annual average salary for each purchased credit to the state board of retirement.
The total normal yearly amount of the retirement allowance for a participating employee cannot exceed 80 per cent of their regular compensation average.
Retired participants who subsequently accept full-time employment with any state agency must repay the cash incentive or lose the additional creditable years.
The secretary of administration and finance must file a report detailing application numbers, anticipated retirement dates, and estimated cost savings by June 1, 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is eligible to participate in the state universities retirement incentive program?

To be eligible, an employee must work at a state university whose board of trustees approved participation by January 1, 2026, be a member in service of the state employees’ retirement system with 25 or more years of creditable service, be classified in , be eligible for a , have not previously notified intent to retire within the next year, and file a timely application.

What is the maximum number of credits an employee can purchase under the program?

An eligible employee can purchase a maximum of 6 total credits combining years of creditable service and years of age.

Can a retired employee return to work after participating in the incentive program?

Yes, a retired employee may teach on a part-time basis or accept part-time state employment subject to existing legal limitations, but accepting full-time employment with a state agency requires repaying the cash incentive or forfeiting the additional creditable years.

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Where This Stands

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

Procedural history

5 actions

Mar 30, 2026House
Accompanied a study order, see H5312 (under House Rule 27)
Sep 22, 2025Joint
Hearing rescheduled to 09/22/2025 from 01:00 PM-03:10 PM in A-2 and Virtual<br> <span style="color: blue; font-style: italic;">Hearing updated to New End Time</span>
Sep 11, 2025Joint
Hearing scheduled for 09/22/2025 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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