• July 23, 2020

  Cost-of-living adjustment update

  FY2021 COLA not yet approved Dear MTRS Retiree, I hope you and your loved ones are well during these times. As you may know, the MTRS cannot pay a FY2021 cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) unless it is included in the final state budget approved by the Legislature and signed into law by the Governor. ...

• June 25, 2020

  2019 Annual account statement delayed

  Will mail in September Dear Members, The MTRS is required to provide an annual statement to all of our active and inactive members by June 30th each year. Due to data collection and processing delays caused by the Coronavirus pandemic and subsequent closures of school districts and the MTRS, deliver...

• May 18, 2020

  New video: COVID-19 Update for active members

  Dear Members, The MTRS wishes to express our sincere gratitude for all you are doing during this unprecedented time. Thank You! We are pleased to offer a new video detailing the impact of market volatility on the pension fund; essential services, including retirement processing, that we continue to ...

• April 29, 2020

  Retirees: Avoid coronavirus scams

  During the coronavirus pandemic, as trillions of dollars in stimulus funds flow to individuals and businesses, be aware that scammers are increasing the frequency and aggressiveness of their activity, targeting everyone, including retirees. Here are some tips to assist you in identifying and avoidin...

• January 22, 2020

  Benefit recipients: Watch your mailbox for your 1099-R tax form to arrive soon

  By January 31, all 1099-R tax statements will be mailed to all individuals who received a benefit payment from the MTRS in 2019. The first batches have begun mailing this week. Along with your tax form, you will receive an insert that includes information on how to read your 1099-R as well as the pe...

• December 20, 2019

  Retirees: Watch for mail from us in December and January

  If you are receiving a monthly benefit from the MTRS, look for your: Year-end statement, which the State Treasury sends at the end of December. This statement provides a summary of your benefit payments during 2019 and is simply for your reference. Questions? Please see how to read your check or dir...

• November 15, 2019

  Notice of PRIM Board election and nomination period

  Nominations for the Teachers’ representative to the Pension Reserves Investment Management (PRIM) Board will be open from November 15, 2019 to January 24, 2020. The PRIM Board is responsible for investing and managing the Pension Reserves Investment Trust (PRIT) Fund, which is used to assist t...

• August 6, 2019

  FY2020 COLA will be paid in August benefit payment, retroactive to July 1

  The FY2020 budget, signed into law by the Governor on July 31, 2019, included a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for our retirees of 3% on the first $13,000 of the benefit, for a maximum increase of $390 per year, or $32.50 per month (3% x $13,000 = $390/year; $390/year divided by 12 months = $32.50...

• July 29, 2019

  Call for nominations–MTRS Board election to be held this fall

  Nomination period opens August 1 As you may know, the Massachusetts Teachers’ Retirement Board is comprised of seven members, two of whom are elected by the members of the Massachusetts Teachers’ Retirement System for four-year terms. Since the terms of our incumbent elected members expi...

• July 15, 2019

  Social Security WEP offset reform: Congressman Neal to file “revised” bill, summer 2019

  In an open letter to MassRetirees (the Retired State, County and Municipal Employees Association of Massachusetts), Congressman Richard Neal (D-MA), Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, announced his intention to file a “revised” bill in the summer of 2019 aimed at reforming the Social Se...

• June 17, 2019

  Members and Retirees: Read our June 2019 Advisor newsletters!

  ...

• June 17, 2019

  Board election to be held this fall for elected-member seats currently held by Jacqueline Gorrie and Dennis Naughton

  Nomination papers to be available August 1 This fall, we will be conducting an election for our two elected members’ seats on the Massachusetts Teachers’ Retirement Board. The current incumbents are Jacqueline Gorrie, a retiree of the Taunton public schools, and Dennis J. Naughton, a retiree of the ...

• June 17, 2019

  We congratulate two long-serving PERAC colleagues on their retirement

  At the end of 2018, Joseph Connarton retired as Executive Director of the Public Employee Retirement Administration Commission (PERAC). Throughout his 19-year tenure as Executive Director, Joe led PERAC with integrity and steadfast commitment to fair and impartial oversight of the Commonwealth’s pub...

• June 17, 2019

  What is a power of attorney (POA) and why should I have one?

  If an accident or illness leaves you unable to make decisions, a trusted designee may transact your affairs A power of attorney (POA) is a written document in which you (the “principal”) authorize a trusted individual whom you select (your “attorney-in-fact” or “agent”) to act on your behalf. There ...

• June 17, 2019

  Beware of Social Security scams

  New scam targets senior citizens As reported by the media and government in recent months, criminals are targeting senior citizens with a new Social Security scam. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) reports that, in a new scam, criminals are spoofing the Social Security Administration’s (SSA) phone ...

• April 11, 2019

  Learn about your retirement plan—attend a “Your MTRS Benefits” seminar in May

  “Your MTRS Benefits” is an optional, free, two-hour (4–6 p.m.) informal program for MTRS members who want more information about retirement benefits—whether you are a recent member, mid-career educator or soon-to-be retiree. Topics include: MTRS benefits and services, estimating your ret...

• January 25, 2019

  Benefit recipients: Watch your mailbox for your 1099-R and Benefit Verification forms to arrive soon

  By January 29, all 1099-R tax statements and Benefit Verification forms will be mailed to our more than 68,000 benefit recipients. Accordingly, if you received a benefit payment from the MTRS in calendar year 2018, then you should receive your 1099-R tax statement and your Benefit Verification form ...

• January 25, 2019

  Benefit recipients: Your federal tax withholding may change with your January payment

  The Internal Revenue Service updated the federal tax withholding tables for 2019. If you have federal taxes withheld from your monthly benefit: based on the IRS tax tables (i.e., your marital status and number of exemptions claimed), beginning with your January payment, you may see a change in your ...

• December 27, 2018

  Retirees: Watch for mail from us in December and January

  If you are receiving a monthly benefit from the MTRS, look for your: Year-end statement, which we send at the end of December. This statement provides a summary of your benefit payments during 2018 and is simply for your reference. Questions? Please see how to read your check or direct deposit state...

• October 22, 2018

  Member news, October 18, 2018

  “Ready for Retirement” seminars to be offered in November NOTE: This program is for members who are in Tier 1 (established membership before April 2, 2012); it does not cover benefits for members who are in Tier 2 (established membership on or after April 2, 2012). “Ready for Retir...

• August 29, 2018

  Beware of sales solicitations that say “MTRS”

  We are not affiliated with, nor do we endorse, any commercial companies Occasionally, financial planning companies will use “MTRS” in their advertising or presentation materials, or otherwise imply that they can provide you with your personal MTRS retirement information.   However, if you receive an...

• July 27, 2018

  COLA approved in state budget for FY2019

  July payment will include COLA of 3% on the first $13,000 of your benefit As you may know, the Governor and Legislature have approved a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) as part of the Commonwealth’s FY2019 budget. Effective July 1, 2018, this COLA allows an increase of three percent on the fir...

• June 29, 2018

  2017 annual statements mailed on June 29

  Your statement reflects your personal data (name, address, beneficiary designation) as well as financial information regarding any activity in your account, the amounts of after-tax contributions, pre-tax contributions, interest and the total balance as of the end of 2017. When you receive your stat...

• June 5, 2018

  June 2018 Advisor for retirees now available

  Read it online!  ...

• June 1, 2018

  Board supports bill requiring PRIM’s divestment from gun and ammunition companies

  At the May 2 public hearing of the Joint Committee on Public Service, the Board submitted written testimony in support of the legislation to divest Massachusetts public pension assets from ammunition and firearms companies In the wake of the horrific school shootings in Parkland, Florida, and the pr...

• June 1, 2018

  MTRS assets in good hands with PRIM Board

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• June 1, 2018

  Board welcomes Auditor’s new designee, Michael Ruane

  Appointed by Suzanne M. Bump, Mr. Ruane joined the Board in April Michael P. Ruane serves as the Deputy General Counsel for the Office of the State Auditor, Suzanne M. Bump. Before joining the Auditor’s office, Mr. Ruane maintained his own private law practice, focusing primarily on criminal and civ...

• June 1, 2018

  Two long-serving MTRS Directors retiring in June

  After many years of helping our members navigate the retirement process, Rochelle Mosley and Michael Williams are looking forward to retiring themselves! Like many of our members, Rochelle and Michael are looking forward to relaxing and spending more time with their families. We congratulate Rochell...

• June 1, 2018

  A snapshot of the MTRS

  A profile of our membership and our funding status...

• May 18, 2018

  Don’t fall victim to phone scams

  If you receive an unsolicited call from an individual who is requesting that you immediately pay a sum of money, beware—it is most likely a scam. Often, these individuals will claim to be from a legitimate organization and request that you make a payment in some dubious way (such as prepaid credit c...

• March 15, 2018

  Treasurer Goldberg partners with Legislature on gun divestment bill

  State Treasurer Deborah Goldberg, State Representative Lori Ehrlich (D-Swampscott) and State Senator Cynthia Creem (D-Newton) have co-sponsored legislation to divest Massachusetts public pension assets from ammunition and firearms companies. The bill, An Act requiring public pension fund divestment ...