Authorizing Sheila Commisso to purchase creditable service from the Massachusetts teachers’ retirement board
Impact
The bill seeks to amend existing laws under Chapter 32 of the General Laws of Massachusetts, which governs retirement for public employees. By enabling Ms. Commisso to purchase credit for time not previously counted, the legislation could have implications for both her retirement calculation as well as set a precedent for similar requests from other educators. This kind of adjustment can affect state budget considerations related to retirement funding and liabilities.
Summary
House Bill 4402 is a legislative proposal aimed at allowing Sheila Commisso to purchase creditable service from the Massachusetts Teachers’ Retirement Board. This would specifically credit her for her previous teaching service at Cathedral High School in Springfield, where she taught from 1988 to 1998. This adjustment relates directly to her eligibility for retirement benefits, particularly her superannuation retirement allowance, which is calculated based on credible service time within the education system.
Contention
While there may not be significant opposition mentioned in the provided discussions, the measure might raise questions regarding fairness and the extent to which similar provisions should be extended to other former teachers or public employees seeking to amend their service records. Additionally, there could be concerns about managing the broader impacts on the state's retirement system and whether such measures could lead to increased costs or demands on the system.
Additional_notes
The proposal stipulates that eligibility for this creditable service is contingent upon Ms. Commisso making a payment equivalent to the amount that would have been deducted from her compensation had her service been credited originally. This payment could be made in a lump sum or in installments, which provides flexibility in how she can fulfill this requirement.