- Massachusetts State Retirement Board
The second round of 2020 Benefit Verification Forms were mailed on October 14, 2020 to all those who either were unable to return the first form, or whose first Form was rejected. The deadline to return the second Form is Friday, November 16, 2020.
There is no notarization requirement for the 2020 BVF, but your signature on the BVF will still have to be witnessed by someone over the age of eighteen.
- The benefit recipient's spouse CAN witness verification form, as well as any other person (including someone living in the home) as long as they are age 18 or older.
Note, the Board will confirm receipt of an individual BVF. Members whose BVFs have been received and validated may receive a postcard that acknowledges receipt.
Anyone who received a pension benefit payment prior to 12/31/2019 is included in the 2020 process. If your retirement date was in 2019, but you did not receive your first benefit payment until 2020, you will not be included in the 2020 BVF process.
Please note, during the verification process, your benefit payments will not be delayed or withheld without prior notification. Board staff will make every effort to contact members who do not return a BVF before withholding benefit payments.
Please keep in mind the following when filling out your form:
Section 2 MUST be completed (signature required) by the member or the authorized agent (power of attorney (POA), guardian or conservator) acting on behalf of the member
If an authorized agent completes the BVF, a full copy of the authorization document must be already on file with the Board or attached to the 2020 BVF. Section 4 (on the back) must also be completed.
Section 3 must be completed and witnessed by someone who is over the age of eighteen. Their name and signature must be legible. Note, the member and witness signatures MUST have the SAME DATE. (For 2020 only, the Board does not require the notarization of this form.) Please include the relationship status of the witness on the “Relationship to Retiree/Beneficiary” line. Failure to include the relationship status will result in your form being rejected.
Please do not mail your completed form to the Board's offices. Instead, please mail your completed form to MSRB, PO Box 679, Wilmington, MA 01887-0679.
If there is a reason that would prevent you from completing a BVF, or if you need assistance, please contact our office at (617) 367-7770 or send an email:
SRB Main email: srb@tre.state.ma.us
Communications: MSRBCommunications@tre.state.ma.us