After a 38-year career with the Massachusetts Teachers’ Retirement System (MTRS), Executive Director Erika Glaster will retire at the end of 2024. On October 25, the Board appointed Jonathan Osimo, a longtime MTRS employee and current Deputy Executive Director and Chief Benefits Officer, as her successor, effective on January 1, 2025.
Erika began her career at MTRS in 1986 as a retirement counselor. In 1988, she founded the MTRS Western Regional Office serving members in the four western counties and Worcester county as Regional Director. In 1994, she was promoted to Assistant Executive Director for Member Services in the main office, overseeing member benefits, education and counseling. In 1997, Erika became Deputy Executive Director, adding oversight of Information Technology and Employer Reporting to her Member Services responsibilities. Erika was appointed to the position of Executive Director in 2014. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in psychology/biology from Bowdoin College and a Master’s in Public Administration from Suffolk University.
During her tenure, Erika oversaw significant advancements, including the implementation of multiple pension reforms and legislative changes, the move to the Charlestown office, increases to member and employer services staff and the addition of member self-service capabilities to the online pension management system. Her leadership was especially impactful during the COVID-19 pandemic, where she maintained the mission of serving members while prioritizing the health and safety of MTRS employees and members. Under her guidance, the MTRS established a remote work program that evolved into the current hybrid remote work policy that has improved staff retention.
“Throughout my career, it has been an honor and a privilege to serve the public educators of the Commonwealth who dedicate their lives to helping others. As I leave the MTRS, I look forward to promoting retirement security for our members through my work on the COLA Commission”
Erika has also contributed to the retirement community on a national level through her service on the Board of Directors of the National Pension Education Association (NPEA), where she served for twelve years and held the office of President from 2015 to 2016. She served on the National Council on Teacher Retirement (NCTR) Administrator Education Committee from 2015 to 2017, was elected to the NCTR Executive Committee in 2018, and recently completed her term as President. This fall, Governor Healey appointed Erika to the Special Commission for State and Teacher COLA.
Erika’s deep commitment to the MTRS, her passion for helping teachers, and her expert knowledge of Chapter 32 have made her an invaluable leader. The MTRS considers her work a lasting legacy, and she will be remembered fondly. We extend our best wishes to her in retirement.
“I am thrilled that the MTRS Board voted unanimously to appoint Jonathan Osimo as my successor. His integrity, expertise, supportive leadership style, and deep commitment to serving our members are just a few of the many attributes that make him the right person for the job!”
Jonathan Osimo joined the MTRS in 1997 as a retirement counselor, focusing on benefit calculations, benefits counseling, and educational seminars. After serving as Western Regional Director and Director of Member Services for several years, he was promoted to Assistant Executive Director of Member Services in 2014. In his current role as Deputy Executive Director and Chief Benefits Officer, he leads four departments within the member and employer services division, managing benefits administration, service credit purchases, member education, and deduction reporting. Jonathan was appointed to the NPEA Board of Directors in 2020, and currently serves as Treasurer. Jonathan holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA) degree from Nichols College.
Congratulations to Erika on her retirement and to Jonathan on his appointment as the new Executive Director of the MTRS.