Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Retirement Buyback And Special Pensions topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
State employees and former correctional officer press committee for buyback and pension increases
Summary
A MassDOT employee asked the Joint Committee on Public Safety to allow transfer and buyback of MBTA retirement contributions into the state retirement system; a former correctional officer asked for special legislation to raise a disability pension tied to decades‑old line‑of‑duty injuries.
Two public safety‑related retirement requests were presented to the Joint Committee on Public Safety: a state employee seeking permission to buy back prior MBTA service into the State Retirement system, and a former correctional officer seeking a special legislative increase to his disability pension.
Joseph Suppa asked the committee to approve H 4147, a bill he said would allow him to transfer contributions he paid into the MBTA retirement system to the Massachusetts State Retirement system and to pay any difference that would make his Commonwealth service count for state retirement purposes.
"I am requesting that this honorable committee in its members approve my request to allow my contributions to the MBTA retirement system to be transferred to the state pension system," Suppa told the committee. He recounted long service in state executive branch roles and said allowing the buyback would align his retirement benefits with his years of Commonwealth service.
Howard Levine, who described being assaulted while serving at MCI Cedar Junction (formerly Walpole State Prison) in 1990 and later forced into early retirement because of multiple surgeries and chronic pain, urged the committee to advance special legislation to increase his disability pension so it more closely matches current lieutenant pay scales and would protect his surviving spouse.
Levine told the committee he has provided extensive medical documentation over many years and said, "Please treat us as equals and give to all as you give to some." He said his pension is based on 1990 earnings and that he has appeared before the committee for more than a decade seeking relief.
Both witnesses asked the committee for favorable reports so their measures can progress. Committee members asked clarifying questions but made no formal votes during the hearing.
