September 2017 eNews
Safeguarding Personal Information
We would like to remind our retirees that the State Retirement Board (“MSRB”) attempts to protect your personally identifiable information in several ways. This type of information includes your name, address, Social Security number, birth date, and any banking information.
For example, the MSRB assigns a dedicated ID number to each member of the retirement system which is used in all correspondence we issue. Additionally, the MSRB uses security measures to ensure that information provided by you is not lost, misused, or altered in any way.
It is also very important to be mindful of what you post online in your e-mails and social media to avoid dangerous scams, identity theft, and fraud. Here are a few tips from the AARP on what to never reveal publicly online.
- Personal information, including your Social Security number, birthday, place of birth, and even your phone number,
- Full front pictures of yourself as a con artist can recreate a photo ID and use it in identity theft,
- Be careful about posting things you may want to delete in the future. Nothing you post is ever truly gone even after you delete it. Think twice about sharing pictures or making comments.
Coming soon: A Redesigned MSRB Website
Recently, MassIT completely redesigned their Mass.gov website. Their goal was to make it easier for you to find what you need. This fall, MassIT will continue to add more services and make improvements based on your feedback.
Because of the project, the MSRB and most Treasury websites will also be completely redesigned. The goal is to make it easier for you to find what you need when you are browsing state agencies.
At the MSRB, we’re committed to providing you with the best online user experience we can, and to provide you with the answers you’re looking for as soon as possible. The redesigned MSRB website is scheduled to go-live at the end of September. Updates to the new website will continue as needed.
You can take a look at the new Mass.gov design by clicking here.
If you would like to share your feedback, please send us an email to MSRBCommunications@tre.state.ma.us. We are very interested in receiving your feedback. Thank you.
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
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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Follow us on Twitter @MassStateRet: https://twitter.com/massstateret
Did You Know?
The 2018 Pension Check Calendars are now available for download and viewing!
Click here to view and/or download a copy to print and file with your important documents.
Unclaimed Property
This September, Treasurer Deb Goldberg announced the latest group of names that were added to the list of unclaimed property owners. Throughout the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, over 46,000 new properties that are worth millions of dollars are owed to individuals and businesses. This newly released list only includes properties that are worth over $100.
Did you know it is estimated that 1 out of every 10 people have unclaimed property? The Unclaimed Property Division within the state Treasurer's office currently oversees 2.4 billion in unclaimed money, securities and tangible properties.
Unclaimed property is any financial asset with no activity by its owner for an extended period of time. This includes savings accounts, checking accounts, unpaid wages or commissions, stocks, underlying shares, uncashed dividends, customer deposits or overpayments, certificates of deposit, credit balances, refunds, money orders, paid-up life insurance policies, safe deposit boxes, and uncashed benefit checks, gift certificates, etc. Unclaimed Property does not pertain to land, houses or real estate of any kind.
Click the following link to see if you have unclaimed property! Search for unclaimed property.
Massachusetts Fall Activities
With a new Fall season ahead, now would be a great time to explore and learn more about Massachusetts’ history!
Check out the Mass Vacation website for some nearby historical locations to visit!
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!