May 4, 2009 — Press Release
BOSTON, MA — Jennifer Benson, State Representative of the 37th Middlesex District, today urged final passage of the House pension-reform bill which disallows enhanced early pensions that have been taken by some retired lawmakers. The enhanced pensions described in a recent Boston Globe article and criticized by the Governor today have used a loophole in a 1950 law meant to protect career civil servants who are fired during administration changes.
"While there are many reforms in our pension bill that will save the Commonwealth and its taxpayers more money, this enhanced early pension reform is critical to restoring legislative integrity," said Benson. "Legislators do not deserve an enhanced pension when they lose an election."
The House pension-reform bill also eliminates pension credits for municipal positions paying less than $5000 year, raises the number of years you must serve before being vested in the state pension system from 6 to 10 years, and eliminates counting a single day as whole year of service in pension calculations, among other changes.
"It is time to disallow the misuse of our Commonwealth's pension system at the expense of our taxpayers," said Benson. "This pension-reform bill will save money and reduce abuse."
Both the House and Senate have passed a version of the pension-reform bill which requires reconciliation and approval by the Governor.
