| Date: | 10/27/1981 |
|---|---|
| Organization: | Massachusetts Department of Revenue |
| Referenced Sources: | Massachusetts General Laws |
Personal Income Tax
October 27, 1981
You request a ruling concerning the taxation of pensions paid to eligible employees of savings banks which participate in the Savings Banks Employees Retirement Association.
The Savings Banks Employees Retirement Association was organized pursuant to Section 74 of Chapter 168 of the General Laws for the purpose of providing pensions for eligible employees of the participating banks who retire on account of age or disability. Eligible employees may contribute a portion of their salaries or wages; such contributions shall be deducted by the employing banks and paid to the Association. A participating bank may also contribute to the funds of the Association as specified in Section 74.
Section 76 of Chapter 168 states that "[t]he property of the association, the portion of the wages or salary of any employee deducted or to be deducted under sections seventy-four and seventy-five, the right of an employee to an annuity or pension, and all his rights in the funds of the association, shall be exempt from taxation…".
Section 76 exempts from taxation an employee's "right to an annuity or pension" and his "rights in the funds of the association" prior to receiving payments. It does not exempt amounts actually distributed to an employee.
Based on the foregoing:
1. Amounts contributed by employees and employers for the benefit of eligible employees participating in the Savings Banks Employees Retirement Association Pension Plan are not taxable to the employee under Massachusetts personal income tax laws in the year the funds are contributed.
2. Such amounts are not subject to withholding of Massachusetts income taxes at the time such amounts are contributed and are not included on the Form W-2 (Wages and Tax Statement) as wages or other compensation until the year in which the funds are made available to the employees.
3. Amounts paid to eligible employees are includible in Massachusetts gross income and are subject to withholding of Massachusetts income taxes during the taxable year in which such amounts are paid or otherwise made available to such employees through retirement or disability.
Very truly yours,
/s/L. Joyce Hampers
L. Joyce Hampers
Commissioner of Revenue
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LR 81 -92