Massachusetts House Bill H2834

Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/27/25
• Refer: 2/27/25

Caption

Relative to the veteran allowance for public retirees

Impact

If enacted, H2834 would impact the retirement benefits available to veterans who are part of specific public retirement groups in Massachusetts. This change is expected to enhance the retirement allowance, thereby providing more substantial financial support to veterans as they transition into retirement. The bill specifies that acceptance of these provisions will require a majority vote of the respective retirement system's board, ensuring a measured approach to implementation.

Summary

House Bill 2834, presented by Representative Dennis C. Gallagher, aims to amend the veteran allowance for public retirees in Massachusetts. The key provisions include an increase in the yearly allowance for veterans who have served in Group 1, Group 2, or Group 4 retirement systems. Specifically, the bill proposes an additional annual allowance of $50 for each year of creditable service or fraction thereof, capping the total allowance at $1,000. This amendment is designed to provide better financial support to veterans in recognition of their service to the Commonwealth.

Contention

Discussions surrounding the bill have indicated that while there is broad support for increasing veteran allowances, there is potential contention regarding the funding mechanisms to support these increased benefits. Some stakeholders have expressed concerns about the implications of increased benefits on state budgets and the sustainability of the proposed allowances. As such, the willingness of retirement systems to adopt these new provisions may vary, depending on their individual fiscal situations and priorities.