Decision  Haughey v. Boston Ret. Sys., CR-25-0464

Date:	01/23/2026
Organization:	Division of Administrative Law Appeals
Docket Number:	CR-25-0464

• Petitioner: John Haughey
• Respondent: Boston Retirement System
• Administrative Magistrate: James P. Rooney

Order of Dismissal

John Haughey, a disability retiree, is required to file an annual statement of earned income with the Boston Retirement System. A July 21, 2025 letter from the Boston Retirement System informed him that his pension benefits were about to be terminated because he failed to file a statement of earned income.  However, the letter also informed him that a hearing would be held on the matter on August 25, 2025.  Mr. Haughey appealed to the Division of Administrative Law Appeals (DALA) before that date. 

Although technically the appeal was premature because Mr. Haughey’s benefits had not been terminated, I allowed it to proceed because I was informed that the Retirement System did not intend to send Mr. Haughey another letter after the August 25, 2025 hearing.[1] 

The Retirement System has now informed DALA that Mr. Haughey came into compliance before the hearing date, and consequently it did not terminate his benefits.  This makes Mr. Haughey’s appeal moot, and I am therefore conditionally dismissing it. See 801 CMR 1.01(7)(g)3.  The dismissal will become final by February 25, 2026 unless by that date Mr. Haughey files a request to keep the appeal open and states what issues remain to be resolved.  If Mr. Haughey agrees to the dismissal, he need take no action.   

Division of Administrative Law Appeals

James P. Rooney
________________________________________
James P. Rooney
Acting Chief Administrative Magistrate
Administrative Magistrate
Division of Administrative Law Appeals
14 Summer Street, 4th floor
Malden, MA 02148
Tel:  [phone]
www.mass.gov/dala

[1] In the future, the Retirement System should send members a letter after it decides to terminate retirement benefits not before, both to inform the member of his or her appeal rights and to start the clock running on when those appeals rights will end.