This bill amends the General Laws regarding benefits for teachers, specifically focusing on their retirement systems. It establishes that individuals who have served as teachers and are vested in the teachers retirement system or the Boston retirement system will retain their status as teachers if they are subsequently employed by the executive office of education or the department of elementary and secondary education. Additionally, it ensures that these teachers remain in their respective retirement systems even after transitioning to these positions. The bill also introduces provisions for employees of the executive office of education or the department of elementary and secondary education who are members of the state employees retirement system, allowing them to reinstate their membership in the teachers retirement system without interruption of service.

Furthermore, the bill provides a one-time opportunity for certain active or inactive members of the teachers retirement system or the Boston retirement system to elect participation in the alternative superannuation retirement benefit program. This opportunity is available to those who became eligible for membership before July 1, 2001, and did not previously elect to participate. Members who choose to participate will contribute at a rate of 11 percent and may need to make up contributions from the date they established membership. The bill mandates that the teachers retirement system and the Boston retirement system notify eligible members and provide necessary information to school districts within 90 days of the act's effective date.

Statutes affected:
Bill Text: 32-1