COVID-19 FAQs — Updated 10/6/2021

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Have the restrictions on post-retirement employment hours increased from 960 to 1,200 annually? (Updated 10/6/2021)
  • Is there an early retirement incentive program for Massachusetts teachers? (Updated 9/7/2021)
  • Are MTRS offices open to the public? (Updated 6/16/2021)

Have the restrictions on post-retirement employment hours increased from 960 to 1,200 annually? (Updated 10/6/2021)

Throughout the COVID-19 State of Emergency, the hours and earnings restrictions on post-retirement employment in the MA public sector were waived; however, that waiver ended on June 15, 2021.

As part of the FY2022 state budget process, the post-retirement hours limit was increased from 960 to 1,200 hours, retroactive to July 1, 2021. The earnings restrictions on post-retirement employment remain unchanged.

To learn more about post-retirement hours and earnings restrictions, visit our Working after retirement page.

Is there an early retirement incentive program for Massachusetts teachers? (Updated 9/7/2021)

The early retirement incentive (ERI) proposal from the Massachusetts Teachers Association (MTA), filed in February by co-sponsors State Senator John C. Velis and State Representative Carol A. Doherty, An Act to provide a retirement enhancement opportunity for certain members of the Massachusetts Teachers Retirement System, is identified in the House as H.2620 and in the Senate as S.1791.

The Joint Committee on Public Service held a hearing on the proposed legislation on Wednesday, September 1, and the Committee will determine the next step in the process. The journey from a proposed bill to a law is a deliberative process and does not always end with a passed law, as summarized on the MTA Legislative Action page. You can track the progress of the bills on the Massachusetts Legislature website.

Please note that the ERI proposals were filed by the MTA, and not the Massachusetts Teachers’ Retirement System (MTRS). If you have specific questions on the bill, review the MTA provided Fact Sheet, Questions and Answers, Webinar Replay, and contact the MTA.

If the proposed legislation impacts you and your decision to potentially retire, the MTRS encourages you to review the MTA resources and check both the MTA and MTRS websites periodically for updates.

Are MTRS offices open to the public? (Updated 6/16/2021)

MTRS offices are now open for limited walk-in services. Please note that MTRS staff are currently transitioning back to the office; thus, our walk-in services are currently limited to the drop-off and review of your application for completeness (retirement, refund, or service purchase) and subject to a 15-minute maximum. Walk-in services are available Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. – 4:45 p.m.

Masks are required for visitors and staff, regardless of vaccination status, until further notice as many of our members work with an unvaccinated age group.

If you cannot find the information you need on our website, we strongly encourage you to contact us by phone or email before driving to either our Charlestown or Springfield office. Our representatives can most likely answer your questions or take your requests for additional services.

Walk-in services cannot include:

  • Creditable service estimates
  • Determining your eligibility to purchase creditable service, or your estimated cost
  • Projecting your retirement benefits

To obtain these services, please submit your request by phone or email; we will acknowledge your request, and it will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis.

As a reminder, you can access these popular resources online:

Visit the Contact page for full details on walk-in services and directions to our offices. Thank you in advance for your understanding and cooperation.