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Witnesses Ask Legislature to Modernize 'Veteran' Definition for Retirement Credit
Summary
Mass Retirees supported a bill to expand who qualifies as a veteran for retirement-credit purposes, asking the committee to align older members' treatment with modern definitions that include activated National Guard service.
Representatives of Mass Retirees asked the Joint Committee on Public Service to support legislation that would broaden the definition of “veteran” for purposes of retirement credit, bringing older retirees under the same standard enacted for later hires.
Sean Duhamel told the committee the existing statutory definition treats pre-2004 retirees narrowly, focusing on wartime or combat service, whereas a 2004 change expanded eligibility to include active-duty or activated National Guard service of six months or more. Duhamel said Senate 1917 would codify parity so that retirees who served honorably during peacetime and were not previously eligible for veterans credit could qualify.
Committee members discussed the possibility of adopting the federal definition of veteran for state purposes; Duhamel said Mass Retirees would need to compare statutory differences before endorsing that approach. No vote was taken at the hearing; proponents urged the committee to report the bill favorably so the legislature can consider the change.
