MEMORANDUM #18, 2012

Commonwealth of Massachusetts | Public Employee Retirement Administration Commission
Five Middlesex Avenue, Suite 304, Somerville, MA 02145
Ph 617 666 4446 | Fax 617 628 4002 | TTY 617 591 8917 | www.mass.gov/perac
Domenic J. F. Russo, Chairman
Auditor Suzanne M. Bump | Alan Macdonald | James M. Machado | Donald R. Marquis | Robert B. McCarthy | Gregory R. Mennis

Joseph E. Connarton, Executive Director

M E M O R A N D U M

TO:           All Retirement Boards

FROM:    Joseph E. Connarton, Executive Director

RE:          Special Counseling for Members Seeking to Withdraw Their Funds

DATE:      January 27, 2012

As noted in PERAC Memo #36/2011, several provisions of Chapter 176 of the Acts make significant changes in the retirement laws for those who become members of a Retirement System on or after April 2, 2012.  If a member withdraws his or her funds from the Retirement System and later is employed in the public sector and again becomes a member of a Retirement System, the rights and responsibilities in effect when the individual again becomes a member will be applicable.

If a member of the System seeks to withdraw his or her contributions, the member should be fully advised that in the event he or she again becomes a member, there will be a number of changes affecting their retirement plan benefits and rights in the retirement system.  These most prominently include:

• The increased minimum retirement age;
• The new age factors for calculating retirement allowances;
• The unavailability of the G.L. c. 32, § 10 termination allowance;
• The applicability of G.L. c. 32, § 105 to elected officials;
• Five YearAverage Annual Rate of Regular Compensation for calculating allowances rather than a three year average;
• Proration of benefits earned for service in different Group classifications;
• New contribution rates;

We urge the Boards to review all of the provisions discussed in PERAC Memo #36/2011 with any member considering taking a withdrawal or his or her funds.  If you have questions, please contact this office.