July 2017 eNews
The MSRB Retiree eNews Bulletin Celebrates Its Third Anniversary!
July marks the third anniversary of the launch of the MSRB Retiree eNews Bulletin. Over the past two years staff has worked diligently to provide important and relevant information to our retired members. Our July 2014 inaugural issue was emailed to 22,645 retirees, survivors and/or beneficiaries. Since then, we've had several subscription requests and are pleased to report that the number of current subscribers is 34,485, which is more than half of our benefit recipients!
Board staff has received a lot of positive feedback and, as we enter our next year of distribution, we hope that you, our retired members, continue to find this publication useful and informative. All past issues are available online for viewing at http://www.mass.gov/treasury/retirement/for-retirees/msrb-retiree-enews-bulletin.html
As always, your feedback and suggestions are welcomed and greatly appreciated. Thank you for reading the Retiree eNews Bulletin!
FY 2018 COLA Update: Approved!
On XXX, Governor Baker approved most of the FY 2018 budget, including the retiree COLA (Cost-of-Living Adjustment), as submitted by the Legislature.
If you retired prior to July 1, 2016 and are otherwise eligible, the July 31st payment will include the COLA. The COLA allows an increase of 3% of the first $13,000 of your annual benefit paid in monthly installments, effective July 1, 2017, for a maximum increase of $390/year or $32.50/month.
If you have direct deposit and have not elected to go-green you will receive a July statement. We suggest you keep the statement as a record of your monthly benefit.
As always, you can view your statement online at www.mass.gov/payinfo. Your ID is on your statement below your name.
Is there something you would like us to communicate in an upcoming Retiree eNews Bulletin? If so, let us know!
We look forward to hearing from you!
Contact us:
Boston Office:
Downtown Crossing
One Winter Street, 8th Floor
Boston, MA 02108
Springfield Office:
436 Dwight Street, #109A
Springfield, MA 01103
Hours: 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Walk-In Counseling Hours:
10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Tel: 617-367-7770
Did You Know?
You can opt out of mailed paper pension payment statements! Your full statements are accessible to you online via PayInfo. For details see below.
Go Green! 
There is no better time than the summer to practice going green. Reduce paper usage by opting out of your mailed paper pension statements, which are easily accessible online at PayInfo! PayInfo makes it fast and easy to not only view your statements, but to have access to them whenever you want! The production of paper has a huge impact on our environment, so it’s important we find ways to minimize it as much as we can.
Access your PayInfo statements here:
Once you're logged in, simply click the "Go Paperless Now!" button to opt out of mail-in statements and join us in going green!
Here is a link to the instructions if you need assistance:
SUMMER TIP: As we encounter summer days with sweltering heat, our air conditioners are going to be working harder than ever. To reduce energy costs and maintain healthy air quality it's important to take the time to change air filters and tune up your HVAC; you’ll be rewarded with a clean peace of mind!
Did you receive this Retiree eNews Bulletin as a forwarded e-mail from a friend? If you are a MSERS retiree and would like to receive your own monthly Retiree eNews Bulletin, send your e-mail address to us at MSRBCommunications@tre.state.ma.us
Note: Please include your full name and either your MSRB I.D. or the last four digits of your Social Security Number, and request that we add it to our distribution list.
Have you, or are you, planning to move? If so, be sure to notify the Board of your address change! Retirees who already have summer and winter addresses on file with the Board can call us to request the address update. Otherwise, you'll need to notify the Board in writing. You can download our Change of Address form here!
Past issues of our newsletter publications can be found on our website
Quick links: Visit our website: www.mass.gov/retirement
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