Legislation would give thousands of eligible educators another opportunity to enroll in RetirementPlus

This week, Senator Nick Collins joined his colleagues in the Massachusetts Senate in unanimously passing legislation that would provide thousands of public-school teachers with a new opportunity to enroll in the RetirementPlus pension program.

The bill reopens the enrollment window on a one-time basis for eligible educators who missed the opportunity to join the program when it was first implemented more than two decades ago.

“Throughout this process, we heard from educators and advocates who made a compelling case that many teachers never had a meaningful opportunity to participate in RetirementPlus,” said Senator Collins. “After dedicating decades to educating our children and strengthening our communities, these educators deserve a retirement system that works for them. This legislation helps ensure that the Commonwealth is standing by the people who have spent their careers standing by the next generation.”

The legislation, S.3109, An Act Relative to Teacher Retirement Election, would allow current teachers who were active when RetirementPlus was first introduced in 2001 another opportunity to enroll in the enhanced pension program. Eligible educators would have until June 30, 2027, to evaluate their options and decide whether participation is right for them.

The legislation also requires the Teachers’ Retirement System and the Boston Retirement System to provide direct notice to eligible educators so that teachers are fully informed of this new enrollment opportunity.

The bill passed the Massachusetts Senate unanimously and now moves to the House of Representatives for consideration.