Authorizing the State Board of Retirement to grant creditable service to Roberta Wollons
Impact
The bill will have significant implications for how creditable service is calculated within the state pension system. By allowing Wollons to include her prior service in her retirement calculations, this legislation seeks to recognize periods of work that may not have previously been credited. This could potentially set a precedent for other cases where individuals seek similar recognition for their service in different capacities, impacting interpretations of service within the retirement system.
Summary
S2518 is a legislative proposal aimed at granting creditable service to Roberta Wollons within the Massachusetts state employees' retirement system. This bill stipulates that despite any existing laws or regulations to the contrary, Wollons would receive credit for her service at Indiana University Northwest from January 1, 1995, to August 1, 2006. This measure is intended to improve her eligibility for a superannuation retirement allowance under the Massachusetts laws governing state employee retirement.
Contention
While the bill focuses on a specific individual, its implications could spark debate about how broadly similar provisions should apply to others. Critics may argue that such individualized measures could lead to unequal treatment among retirement beneficiaries if not applied consistently across all public employees. These concerns underscore the need for a careful evaluation of how creditable service is awarded, as well as the qualifications for such recognition.