Learn MTA's position on pending legislation related to public education, and take action to protect our schools
Published: March 2026
Important Update and Call to Action
The Massachusetts House voted to add language to its Fiscal Year 2027 budget that provides teachers who did not give written election to participate in RetirementPlus a second opportunity to do so. The new language is nearly identical to S.1884/H.4361 (formerly H.2932.) The budget now heads to the state Senate, where it will be debated and passed by the end of May. After that, the two versions of the budget will go to a conference committee of House and Senate members, who will develop a final version to be voted on and sent to the governor.
We are asking members to contact their state senator and urge them to support the inclusion of the House’s RetirementPlus language in the Senate’s FY27 budget. Please email your senator today!
Background
In 2001, when RetirementPlus was first introduced, many teachers encountered a confusing enrollment process. Some never received an enrollment form while others were led to believe they were automatically enrolled in Retirement Plus, only later learning that they were not. The MTA has worked to rectify these issues administratively, however, an August 2023 ruling by the Division of Administrative Law Appeals has made it clear that legislation is needed to fix this problem.
In the ruling, DALA stated “that a 2001 teacher cannot join the § 5(4) benefits program [RetirementPlus] after missing the mid-2001 deadline, even in sympathy-provoking cases, and even if the teacher received no notice about the § 5(4) program” from their retirement system. This unfortunate but clear statement from DALA makes passing legislation the only way to rectify this unfair process.
FAQ on RetirementPlus Legislation
On July 30, 2025, the Massachusetts House of Representative passed the RetirementPlus bill H.4361 (formerly H.2932) with a unanimous vote and has been sent to the Senate Committee on Ways and Means. In addition, the version of the bill filed in the Senate (S.1884) was reported favorably by the Committee on Public Service and was also sent to the Senate Committee on Ways and Means. This means that the Senate can act on either bill, but it is important to remember that there is no deadline for when a bill needs to move out of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means. So, we are asking that MTA members continue to contact their senator and ask them to support a Fair Fix for RetirementPlus.
Bills in the Legislature
-
Support
H.4361 (formerly H.2932) An Act Relative to Benefits for Teachers malegislature.gov
Introduced on January 2025
Lead Sponsors: Rep. Alice Peisch (D-Wellesley) | Rep. Rob Consalvo (D-Boston) Allows teachers hired before July 1, 2001, who did not provide a written election to participate in RetirementPlus, to have a second opportunity to do so.
-
Support
S.1884 An Act Relative to Teacher Retirement Election malegislature.gov
Introduced on January 2025
Lead Sponsors: Sen. Liz Miranda (D-Boston) Allows teachers hired before July 1, 2001, who did not provide a written election to participate in RetirementPlus, to have a second opportunity to do so.
The Fair Share Amendment at Work
Learn how revenues from the Fair Share Amendment are providing funding for free lunch for students, financial aid for public college students, transportation and more.
Education Funding News
Take action to win legislative and budgetary fixes to the growing fiscal crisis impacting our public schools and colleges and get the latest financial numbers for education funding.
