Memorandum  #34: Cost of Living Increase for Supplemental Dependent Allowance Paid to Accidental Disability Retirees and Accidental Death Survivors

Date:	12/17/2020
Referenced Sources:	PERAC Website

PERAC Memo #34, 2020

To All Retirement Boards:

M E M O R A N D U M

TO: All Retirement Boards

FROM: John W. Parsons, Esq., Executive Director

RE: Cost of Living Increase for Supplemental Dependent Allowance Paid to Accidental Disability Retirees and Accidental Death Survivors

DATE: December 15, 2020

On December 11, 2020, Governor Baker signed the FY21 budget into law.  Included in the budget was a 3% COLA for eligible retirees of the State and Mass Teachers’ Retirement Systems retroactive to July 1, 2020.  As a result, the supplemental dependent allowances under §§ 7(2)(a)(iii) and 9(2)(d)(ii) will be increased retroactive to July 1, 2020.

Any retirement system which has accepted the supplemental dependent allowance provided for in G.L. c. 32 § 7(2)(a)(iii), or which has accepted the provisions of G.L. c. 32, § 22D (under which the supplemental dependent allowance is also deemed to have been accepted), shall pay an annual amount of $980.88 beginning July 1, 2020 for each eligible child as defined in G.L. c. 32, § 7(2)(a)(iii).

Also, any retirement system which has accepted the additional pension for dependent children provided for in G.L. c. 32, § 9(2)(d)(ii), shall pay an annual amount of $980.88 beginning July 1, 2020 for each eligible child as defined in G.L. c. 32, § 9(2)(d).

Please contact PERAC’s actuary, John Boorack, if you have any questions on this issue.

Commission Members

Philip Y Brown, Esq., Chairman
Auditor Suzanne M. Bump
Kathleen M. Fallon
Kate Fitzpatrick
James M. Machado
Robert B. McCarthy
Jennifer F. Sullivan