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March 13, 2026 Clouds | 40°F
The 194th General Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Bill S.1868 194th (Current)

An Act relative to Option (d) beneficiaries

By Ms. Friedman, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1868) of Cindy F. Friedman for legislation relative to Option (d) beneficiaries. Public Service.

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Bill Information

Presenter:
Cindy F. Friedman
Status:
Referred to Joint Committee on Public Service
Currently, pursuant to M.G.L. c. 32, § 12, members may choose Option D, Member Survivor Allowance. Option D states a member may nominate an eligible beneficiary (as set forth under Option C) who, if such member dies before being retired, shall receive the yearly amount of the Option C allowance to which such member would have been entitled had his or her retirement taken place on the date of his or her death. The Public Employee Retirement Administration Commission (PERAC) has determined that only 1 beneficiary can receive benefits under this provision. However, many active duty public safety personnel have multiple beneficiaries they would like to be able to leave a pension to (i.e., more than one child) in the event of an untimely death. This bill would change M.G.L. c. 32, § 12 to allow members of the retirement system to choose more than 1 beneficiary. Additionally, this bill would allow, if there is more than one beneficiary, and upon the death of a beneficiary, for the deceased beneficiary’s portion to be divided evenly among surviving beneficiaries.
* The bill summary was created by the Primary Sponsor of the bill; no committee of the General Court certifies the accuracy of its contents.

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