For Retirees

Our telephone number remains the same but the extensions have changed. If you need to contact our office, please click through and make a note of the updated information.

If you retired prior to July 1, 2010 this month's check includes a Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) that became effective July 1, 2011 with the passage of the state budget. The COLA is 3% of the first $12,000 of your annual benefit paid in monthly installments. Members with direct deposit should keep this statement as a record of your monthly benefit. The next statement you receive will be in December. Remember, you can view your statement online with Retiree PayInfo. Go to mass.gov/retirement, for more information.

If you are a benefit recipient please be advised that 1099R forms have been mailed. You should have received your form by Friday, February 4, 2011. Also, 2011 federal tax tables have changed. Go to Forms & Publications if you need a new W-4P form. Please continue reading for more information on these two items.

The 2011 Direct Deposit and Mailing Dates for the monthly pension benefit are available. Direct deposit is now mandatory for all benefit recipients.

Health insurance rates have changed effective July 1, 2010. If your premiums are withheld from your monthly benefit you may see a change in June's benefit payment (insurance premiums are paid one month in advance). For more information, contact the Group Insurance Commission at (617) 727-2310 ext 6 or go to www.mass.gov/gic.

We would like to thank our members who returned their Benefit Verification Forms to our office. The original deadline to return the form was Friday, May 14, 2010. Extensions were given and the final extension was Friday, October 29, 2010. If you still have not returned your form, your account has been flagged for suspension and members on direct deposit will not receive an electronic payment during the month of November. If you have questions or need assistance, please contact our office. at 617-367-7770, ext. 8 or toll-free in MA only, 800-392-6014, ext. 8. Click the heading above for answers to Frequently Asked Questions.

If you were a MSERS benefit recipient in 2009, you may have noticed a slight change in the net amount of your first monthly benefit payment this year. The 2010 Tax Tables have been adjusted. Also, don't forget about the "Making Work Pay" credit when filing your taxes this season. Click the heading above for links to more information on how this credit affects you.

On February 17, 2009, President Obama signed into law the American Recovery And Reinvestment Act ("ARRA"). Included within the ARRA are certain tax provisions that affect members of governmental retirement plans like the Massachusetts State Employees' Retirement System. Some benefit recipients may see changes beginning with their April benefit payment.

A list of deceased retirees whose Option B benefits have been unclaimed.