Order  Enrollment in Retirement Plus (9/30/22)

Date:	09/30/2022
Organization:	Division of Administrative Law Appeals
Docket Number:	CR-21-369

Administrative Magistrate: Yakov Malkiel

Case-Management Order in Light of New Applicable Statute

Several hundred appeals pending before the Division of Administrative Law Appeals present disputes over whether members of MTRS are entitled to be enrolled in the benefits program known as Retirement Plus. G.L. c. 32, § 5(4). This order will refer to those appeals as the “Retirement Plus appeals.” The purpose of the order is to implement a plan for resolving the Retirement Plus appeals in the wake of a new applicable statute, Acts 2022, c. 134, § 3.
Retirement Plus came into effect on July 1, 2001. Participants in the program make enlarged retirement contributions of 11% and enjoy advantageous retirement-allowance computations.

A small number of Retirement Plus appeals involve teachers who already were MTRS members as of July 1, 2001 (2001 petitioners). The governing statute permitted such teachers to enroll in Retirement Plus during January-June 2001.

A much larger group of Retirement Plus Appeals involves teachers who transferred into MTRS from other retirement systems after the July 1, 2001 effective date (transfer petitioners). The governing statute gave each such teacher a 180-day window to enroll in Retirement Plus.

Consolidated proceedings concerning a large number of Retirement Plus appeals have been ongoing since October 2021. Consolidated orders and submissions have been filed in the instant docket.

Only appeals in which the Massachusetts Teachers Association has appeared have been formally consolidated. Those appeals include approximately half of the Retirement Plus appeals. Largely as a result of MTRS and MTA’s efforts, more than 100 Retirement Plus appeals have been settled, withdrawn, or dismissed in recent months.

In August 2022, the Legislature enacted Acts 2022, c. 134, § 3. This new statute dramatically impacts these proceedings: it permits all transfer petitioners (and other individuals) to enroll in Retirement Plus.¹ To be effective, the enrollments must occur during the first half of 2023. Any election into Retirement Plus is irrevocable.

The new statute does not place any of the transfer petitioners in Retirement Plus. Any transfer petitioners who will take no action will remain—irrevocably—outside Retirement Plus. Nonetheless, the new statute eliminates the problem that generated each transfer petitioner’s appeal. The pertinent MTRS decisions no longer prevent the transfer petitioners from participating in Retirement Plus (if they still wish to do so). In this sense, the transfer petitioners no longer have any practical stake in the outcome of their original appeals.

With the foregoing background in mind, this order implements a plan for resolving the pending Retirement Plus appeals (including by adjudication, where appropriate). The plan was constructed primarily by MTRS and MTA. It concerns the appeals of both the 2001 petitioners and the transfer petitioners; it addresses both MTA-represented and unrepresented petitioners.²

The plan is essentially the following: (a) each transfer petitioner will receive an opportunity to enroll in Retirement Plus and withdraw his or her appeal; (b) subsequently, the appeals of any transfer petitioners who do not withdraw their appeals will be dismissed based on mootness; and (c) with regard to the 2001 petitioners, MTRS and MTA will file consolidated briefs presenting their analyses of the governing legal issues.
It is therefore ORDERED as follows:

Applicable To	Instruction
Unrepresented transfer petitioners	1. In the near future, DALA will issue an individual order to each unrepresented transfer petitioner stating: (a) that the petitioner may join Retirement Plus by delivering a new, irrevocable election form to MTRS during the first half of 2023; (b) that the petitioner should expect to receive information from MTRS about how to accomplish this; (c) that MTRS will provide DALA with a copy of the petitioner’s Retirement Plus election form; (d) that DALA’s receipt of the election form will result in the termination of the petitioner’s outstanding appeal; and (e) that if the petitioner chooses not to enroll in Retirement Plus, then his or her appeal is likely to be dismissed as moot. The individual orders will also provide the petitioners with MTRS’s contact information.
Unrepresented transfer petitioners	2. MTRS shall deliver correspondence and election forms to all unrepresented transfer petitioners. The correspondence shall explain that these petitioners may join Retirement Plus by delivering an executed election form to MTRS during the first half of 2023. MTRS shall complete this mailing project by December 15, 2022.
MTA-represented transfer petitioners	3. MTRS shall also provide MTA with any pertinent documents and information concerning the enrollment of transfer petitioners. It shall do so by December 1, 2022. Within 30 days after receiving these materials, MTA shall relay them to the transfer petitioners it represents.
MTA-represented transfer petitioners	4. With regard each transfer petitioner it represents, MTA shall provide MTRS with: (a) a form electing to participate in Retirement Plus; (b) a form electing not to participate in Retirement Plus; or (c) written confirmation that the member does not intend to file an election form. MTA is asked to urge its clients to choose between options (a) and (b).
All transfer petitioners	5. MTRS shall provide DALA with copies of the election forms filed by any transfer petitioners. Any such form will be construed as a withdrawal of the pertinent petitioner’s appeal. MTA may also inform DALA of appeals being withdrawn by its clients (case-by-case, in batches, or all appeals in one withdrawal document). By May 1, 2023, MTA shall file a report that either (a) confirms that all transfer petitioners represented by MTA have withdrawn their appeals; or (b) lists the remaining appeals of such petitioners and explains why those appeals cannot yet be resolved.
All transfer petitioners	6. It may be that certain transfer petitioners will not promptly enroll in Retirement Plus and will not withdraw their appeals. In approximately early May 2023, the appeals of such petitioners are likely to be dismissed as moot in light of Acts 2022, c. 134, § 3. See Jochim v. State Bd. of Ret., No. CR-15-328, at 4 (DALA Oct. 28, 2016) (citing cases).
All 2001 petitioners	7. MTRS and MTA shall file briefs presenting their positions regarding the overarching legal questions pertinent to the appeals of the 2001 petitioners. MTRS shall file its brief by June 1, 2023. MTA shall file its brief by June 30, 2023. Any arguments presented by MTA will be considered in favor of the unrepresented petitioners. Any concessions or admissions made by MTA will not be held against the unrepresented petitioners.
All MTA-represented petitioners	8. The appeals listed in Appendix 1 shall be, or shall continue to be (in most cases), consolidated and governed by the orders and submissions filed in the instant docket.
All petitioners	9. MTA shall resume its practice of submitting monthly spreadsheets tracking the Retirement Plus appeals. To the extent practicable, the spreadsheets shall be filed after consultation with MTRS and shall identify any information about which the parties disagree.
All petitioners	10. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions, specific Retirement Plus appeals may be addressed in a different manner where particular circumstances so warrant.
All petitioners	11. A copy of this order will be delivered to CRAB. DALA will also make efforts to publish it on DALA’s website. These measures also will be undertaken as to any subsequent orders or decisions impacting a substantial number of Retirement Plus appeals.

SO ORDERED.

Division of Administrative Law Appeals
/s/ Yakov Malkiel
Yakov Malkiel
Administrative Magistrate

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¹ In the Legislature’s words, the new enrollment opportunity is open to anyone who “(i) is a teacher; (ii) transferred from another contributory retirement system . . . to [MTRS]; (iii) became eligible for membership in [MTRS] on or after July 1, 2001 and not later than June 30, 2022, inclusive; (iv) began contributing to [MTRS] on or after July 1, 2001 and not later than June 30, 2022; and (v) did not provide a written election to participate in [Retirement Plus] to [MTRS] on or before December 31, 2022.” Acts 2022, c. 134, § 3(a).

² Appendixes 1 and 2 list pending appeals of MTA-represented and unrepresented petitioners, respectively, distinguishing between 2001 petitioners and transfer petitioners.

APPENDIX 1: MTA-REPRESENTED PETITIONERS (by name and docket number)

1.A. MTA-Represented Transfer Petitioners

Amanda Boczanowski, 14-0479
Teresa Vidrine, 14-0488
Elizabeth Wiseman, 15-0219
Diane Buonopane, 15-0649
Doria Habib, 16-0053
Erin Haugh, 16-0062
Josh Takis, 16-0084
Julie Barkin, 16-0229
Emily Holleran, 17-0077
Anna Corbett, 17-0092
Susanna Scafidi, 17-0120
Derek Brennan, 17-0243
Sarah Chase (Graves), 17-0336
Samantha Maio, 17-0365
Sharon Nieves, 17-0432
Joshua Euglow, 17-0609
Emily Fanaras-Chan, 17-0619
Melissa Stellato, 17-0669
Jennifer Lyons, 17-0683
Jean Kirchner, 17-0917
Melissa Barbeau, 17-0996
William Burns, Jr., 17-1019
James Flynn, 18-0012
Gaston Levesque, 18-0103
Laura Faherty, 18-0127
Eliza Cummings, 18-0172
Kerry Gallagher, 18-0178
Jessica Hajjar, 18-0197
Kevin Howe, 18-0199
Patricia Hale, 18-0206
Eric Grasso, 18-0209
Laurie Delaney, 18-0213
Tammy Bailey, 18-0217
Joyce Sioch, 18-0249
Teresa Distefano, 18-0280
Susan Labelle, 18-0293
Alexandra M. Leonard, 18-0381
Michelle Nicholas, 18-0474
Kathleen Marble, 18-0478
Jocelyn Allan, 18-0599
Nadine Kariotis, 18-0623
Jeremy Folster, 18-0625
Kelly Schofield, 19-0056
Bailey Stetson, 19-0057
Christine Nueve, 19-0075
Caitlin Casey, 19-0076
Timothy Cullen, 19-0077
Karal Gartsu, 19-0082
Gregory Bendel, 19-0090
Steve Bradham, 19-0093
Adrienne Baker, 19-0094
Lisa Lombardi, 19-0095
Joseph Scarbo, 19-0107
Jessica Coons, 19-0128
Jennifer Kelly, 19-0137
Sarah Hickey, 19-0142
Kelly Keaton, 19-0158
Julie Derderian, 19-0175
John Cross, 19-0176
Emily Borek, 19-0357
Tracie Tavares, 19-0358
Julia Tringuk, 19-0443
Gabriella Gonzalez, 19-0470
Marlee Cassel, 19-0479
Jennifer Fioretti, 19-0524
Emily Dannen, 19-0556
Katelyn Nocella, 19-0593
Laura Walley, 20-0004
Rebecca Powell, 20-0008
Keveny Glynn, 20-0016
Natalie Thompson, 20-0023
Michelle Jones, 20-0107
Dayna Joy, 20-0108
Kourtney Murphy, 20-0109
Edward O’Brien, 20-0110
Kristen Passanisi, 20-0111
Jillian Perry, 20-0112
Yan Phing-Zheng, 20-0113
Kristen St. Peter, 20-0114
Andrzej Topolewski, 20-0115
Peter Alexopoulos, 20-0134
Barbara Goydas, 20-0177
Shawn Weld, 20-0208
Meredith Friend, 20-0264
Sonya Dugan, 20-0266
Cheryl Mantia, 20-0280
Megan Mountzoures, 21-0152
Elizabeth Simone, 21-0158
Kailin Bixby, 21-0227
Pamela Garwood, 21-0237

1.B. MTA-Represented 2001 Petitioners∗

Alexandre Alvarez, 17-0835
Lauren McCarron, 18-0177†
Michael Murphy, 18-0565†
Sarah Fenton, 19-0084
Karl Michalik, 19-0264
Kathleen Lachance, 20-0058

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∗ Including any petitioners who have not made clear whether they are transfer petitioners or 2001 petitioners.

† Until recently, these two appeals were assigned to Administrative Magistrate Kenneth J. Forton.

APPENDIX 2: UNREPRESENTED PETITIONERS (by name and docket number)

2.A. Unrepresented Transfer Petitioners

Andrea Barlow, 12-0280
Valter Lourenco, 15-0215
Jaime Kimenker, 16-0076
Molly Curry, 16-0113
Erica Joyce, 16-0292
Christina Todd, 16-0391
Emily Fanaras-Chan, 17-0036
Alyssa Toner, 17-0141
Kelly Feurt, 17-0207
Nathaniel Turner, 17-0292
Steven Mucci, 17-0296
Kristen Almquist-Cevallos, 17-0299
Peter Sheridan, 17-0311
Adam McCusker, 17-0323
Jennifer Pignone, 17-0324
Robert Clark, 17-0341
Ingeborg Kuhlka, 17-0366
Sandra Nilson, 17-0380
Mary Raymond, 17-0382
Hope Tripp, 17-0384
Kimberly Seaver, 17-0386
Marla Delacruz-Ballard, 17-0399
Lori Simpson, 17-0415
Peter Zopes, 17-0417
Megan O'Loughlin, 17-0470
Caroline Troy, 17-0475
Jeffrey Capuzziello, 17-0482
Lauren Hanlon, 17-0483
Emma Fog, 17-0485
Andrew Garlick, 17-0486
Elizabeth Backer Walkin, 17-0503
Victoria Prince, 17-0514
Noreen D'Andrea, 17-0525
Kelley Long, 17-0526
Janelle DeMarchant, 17-0527
Mary Payne, 17-0531
Marybeth O'Brien, 17-0532
Kimberley McCormack, 17-0533
Kelly McAvoy, 17-0534
Brenda Morrison, 17-0537
Mark Mosher, 17-0543
John Mathews, 17-0545
Dawn Bowler, 17-0547
Marla Yanovitch, 17-0550
Barbara Walsh, 17-0578
Tara Forrest, 17-0583
Anne Murphy, 17-0587
Ramon Cosme, 17-0591
Timothy Parachojuk, 17-0592
Kathleen Firlings, 17-0597
Kristen Thomas, 17-0600
Jeffrey Caritey, 17-0615
Jillian Middlemiss, 17-0616
Joann Severance, 17-0620
Robert Zollo, 17-0621
Asya Shestopal, 17-0622
Anna Tarshish, 17-0660
Heidi Ousler Lang, 17-0676
Kelly Gallant-Hovespian, 17-0681
Inna Belenky, 17-0682
Lisa Rasanen, 17-0685
Jessica Peabody, 17-0692
Kristen Grange, 17-0696
Derek Morrison, 17-0700
Rebecca Imming, 17-0701
Shawn Thomas, 17-0704
Alyssa Foy, 17-0714
Jean Poulin, 17-0719
Micaela Shea, 17-0721
Christine Crocker, 17-0735
Elizabeth Fife, 17-0743
Shelby Whalen, 17-0744
Karen Stackpole, 17-0748
James Walsh, 17-0751
Peter Marifone, 17-0752
Jacquelyn Connolly, 17-0763
Kathleen Robinson, 17-0769
Mark Henry, 17-0770
Elise McHugh, 17-0772
Conor Brosnan, 17-0788
Jason Hoye, 17-0789
Laurie Lawlor, 17-0790
Kate Reed, 17-0797
Mary Coppinger-Fraser, 17-0810
Charlotte Mugnier, 17-0833
Jessie Fournier, 17-0919
Eric Murray, 17-0920
Melissa Hotchkiss, 17-0923
Karen Van Slyke, 17-0955
Ciara O'Keefe, 17-0963
Nicole Causey, 17-0964
Justin Bailey, 17-0983
Lisa Jones, 17-0984
Sandra Fowke, 17-0991
Joseph Maney, 17-0993
Heather Benner, 17-1014
Andie Merkowitz, 17-1027
Mary Patterson, 17-1030
Alec Dorsey, 17-1031
Robin Halperin, 17-1061
Letitia Zani, 17-1064
Alison Cousins, 17-1069
Sean Keogh, 17-1071
JoAnn Orluk, 18-0043
Cynthia Paris, 18-0044
Sally Nixon, 18-0046
Anna Wythe, 18-0052
Marisol Rivas-Nunez, 18-0108
Jennifer Devlin, 18-0109
Jacqui Cohenno, 18-0117
Kathleen Marandola, 18-0120
Kara Yuen, 18-0122
Patricia Munzner, 18-0138
Bruce Moulthrop, 18-0139
Donna Gomes, 18-0180
Yusra Khan, 18-0181
Eva Moss, 18-0643
Timothy Collins, 19-0048
Diane Cohen, 19-0051
Karla Gartsu, 19-0082
Melissa Perry, 19-0085
Kediesha Bogle, 19-0086
Brendan Amedio, 19-0099
Anne Smith, 19-0199
Brenna Ferrick, 19-0223
Jennifer Pelletier, 19-0301
Lin Ann Hurchinson, 19-0402
Laurren Haskins, 19-0441
Treva Tolley, 19-0511
Taylor Mathias, 19-0534
Jennifer Ethier, 20-0148
Nicole Bell, 20-0165
Stephanie Bizeur, 20-0328
Beth Ann Brunstrom, 21-0055
Lauren Brault, 21-0074
Amanda Kasprzak, 21-0107
Heidi O'Brien, 21-0187
Amy Bainbridge-Jordan, 21-0195
Jennifer Hutchinson, 21-0206
Francesca Pellegrino, 21-0240
Matthew James, 21-0242
Katani Sumner, 21-0260
Michelle Hannon, 21-0295
Marisa McCarthy, 21-0350
Rachel Doring, 21-0490
Erica Hansen, 21-0491
Molly Driscoll, 22-0016
Joseph Eckstrom, 22-0047
Stephanie Goodman, 22-0094
Meghan Grier, 22-0146
Melissa Ziobro, 22-0210
Michael Feinberg, 22-0231
Jennifer Thomas, 22-0249
Sarah Rubino, 22-0258
Hannah Robidoux, 22-0280
Matthew Holt, 22-0309
Reid Cargan, 22-0321
Brittany Sullivan Merrill, 22-0348

 

2.B. Unrepresented 2001 Petitioners∗

Amy DeFeudis, 18-0210
Stephen Centerrino, 19-0049
William Goncalo, 19-0050
Ellen Slattery, 19-0078
Steven Cloutier, 19-0081
Julius Walker, 19-0083
Kerrilee Niles, 19-0089
Ashley Gomes, 19-0098
Robert Vandenabeele, 19-0317
Lyn O'Neil, 19-0331
Maureen Trowbridge, 19-0359
Paul Rebello, 20-0056
Amy Young, 20-0176
Gina Flanagan, 20-0397
Julie Stanley, 21-0014
James Lutz Jr., 21-0075
Christine Johnson, 21-0139
Tracey Hartman, 21-0146
Robert Norton, 21-0153
Mary Kirwan Hayes, 21-0162
Patricia Moore, 21-0291
Melissa Candon, 21-0315
Stephanie Andella, 21-0325
Jill Neuman, 21-0391
Julie Fox, 21-0392
Deborah Casagrande, 21-0568
Regina Symonds, 21-0666
Rebecca Blouwolff, 21-0668
Roger Tait, 22-0029
Joan McWilliams, 22-0041
Chris Santos, 22-0073
Penny Kalman, 22-0089
Laura Mahan, 22-0091
Christine Theroux, 22-0110
Colleen Whitman, 22-0118
Leela Bakshi, 22-0135

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∗ Including any petitioners who have not made clear whether they are transfer petitioners or 2001 petitioners. These petitioners are likely to receive individualized orders addressing the uncertainty surrounding the facts of their appeals.