Bill > H3146

This bill aims to allow certain veterans who retired before July 24, 1996, to receive credit for active service in the United States armed forces towards their retirement benefits, even if they have already received credit for some service or if their total creditable service would exceed the usual eighty percent limit. Specifically, it allows for up to four years of active service to be credited, with a special provision for Massachusetts National Guard and Active Reserve personnel where five years of their service can substitute for one year of active service. For retirement systems of political subdivisions, this act will take effect after a majority vote by the system's board and the local legislative body, which could be a town meeting, city council, county commissioners, or governing body of an authority, with eligibility for affected members beginning the month after local acceptance. The bill clarifies that terms used will have the same meaning as defined in Chapter 32, Section 1 of the General Laws, which governs retirement systems.