How I Voted:

Supporting Retired Teachers Who Continue Serving Massachusetts Students

Bill: H.4458. Retirement Benefits for Retired Teachers Working at EOE and DESE

Date of Vote: July 30, 2025

What Problem Was This Bill Trying to Solve?

Retired teachers who continue serving Massachusetts students by working in administrative roles at the Executive Office of Education (EOE) and the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) faced inconsistencies in their retirement status and benefits. Some educators who moved from classroom teaching into state education roles could lose their connection to the Teachers’ Retirement System, despite continuing to use their professional experience to support public education.

This created concerns about fairness for educators who had dedicated their careers to Massachusetts schools and later chose to serve the Commonwealth in leadership, policy, and administrative positions.

The legislation addresses these issues by allowing eligible retired teachers working at EOE and DESE to maintain their teacher status for retirement purposes, preserve retirement system membership, and ensure that educators receive the benefits they have earned through years of service.

What Does the Bill Do?

• Allows certain retired teachers employed by the Executive Office of Education (EOE) or the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) to retain their status as “teacher” and remain members of the Teachers’ Retirement System.

• Applies to educators who are vested in:

  • The Massachusetts Teachers’ Retirement System.

  • The Boston Retirement System.

• Ensures eligible employees who transition to EOE or DESE do not experience an interruption in retirement system membership or service.

• Allows reinstated members to make required contributions into the appropriate retirement system’s annuity savings fund.

• Requires reinstated members to be placed in Group 1 of the State Employees’ Retirement System upon retirement.

• Creates a one-time opportunity for eligible active or inactive Teachers’ Retirement System members to participate in the alternative superannuation retirement benefit program.

• Applies to educators who:

  • Became eligible for membership before July 1, 2001.

  • Began contributing to the Teachers’ Retirement System before July 1, 2001.

  • Did not previously elect to participate in the alternative superannuation retirement benefit program due to administrative or procedural issues.

• Corrects longstanding retirement inequities affecting educators who continued their public service after leaving classroom teaching.

How I Voted

I voted YES.

Why I Voted This Way

Teachers dedicate their careers to educating and supporting Massachusetts students, and many continue serving the Commonwealth long after leaving the classroom. Their experience and knowledge are valuable assets in state education leadership, administration, and policymaking roles.

This legislation provides fairness and consistency for educators who have devoted decades to public service. It recognizes that teachers who continue contributing to our education system should not face unnecessary disruptions to the retirement benefits they have earned.

By protecting retirement system membership, addressing past administrative inequities, and ensuring eligible educators have access to the benefits they deserve, this bill strengthens Massachusetts’ commitment to supporting the professionals who educate and prepare future generations.

I supported this legislation because it promotes fairness, honors educators’ years of service, supports experienced education leaders, and ensures that Massachusetts continues to value the contributions of its teachers.