Boston, September 10, 2025
News Summary
The Retired State, County and Municipal Employees Association (RSCMEA) has endorsed Mayor Michelle Wu for reelection, applauding her support for public retirees and retirement benefits. This decision comes after meetings with city officials on enhancing cost of living adjustments and health coverage for retirees. With Boston’s pension system nearing 90% funding and improvements on the horizon, the association has committed to advocating for its members’ financial security and welfare leading up to the elections.
Boston
Summary
The Retired State, County and Municipal Employees Association (RSCMEA) has formally endorsed Mayor Michelle Wu for reelection, citing her ongoing support for public retirees and recent steps to enhance retirement benefits. The endorsement follows a series of meetings between the mayor and RSCMEA leadership on Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) improvements, continued retiree health coverage, and the city’s progress in funding its pension obligations.
Key developments
RSCMEA’s endorsement reflects the association’s assessment that Mayor Wu has actively collaborated with public retiree advocates and prioritized measures aimed at improving retirees’ financial security. The association represents over 52,000 members and met with the mayor’s team at its Beacon Hill office to discuss benefit enhancements and other member concerns ahead of the reelection campaign.
Boston’s pension system has been the focus of aggressive funding efforts by the city. The Boston retirement fund is reported to be nearly 90% funded and is projected to achieve full funding by 2028. City officials have accelerated contributions to address accumulated unfunded liabilities well before the statutory deadline of 2040.
Pension obligations for Boston Teachers, who are members of the Boston Retirement System, are covered by the Commonwealth. The unfunded liability for Boston Teachers is expected to be fully resolved by 2036, aligning with projections for the State and Teachers’ Retirement Systems.
Benefit changes and implementation
Boston plans to implement an Enhanced COLA for eligible public retirees, a concept first advanced during the administration of former Mayor Marty Walsh and further developed through ongoing collaboration between successive mayors and the RSCMEA. City officials indicate the enhanced COLA will be added without requiring an increase in the City’s overall pension appropriation.
In addition to COLA changes, Boston will continue to provide affordable retiree health insurance and will extend the current PEC agreement through 2027 with no changes to contribution rates or out-of-pocket costs for retirees during that extension period.
Political context
The endorsement comes as Mayor Wu sought and secured active support from the RSCMEA during her campaign period, reportedly outpacing other candidates in outreach to the association. RSCMEA’s backing highlights the importance of the city’s retirement funding progress and the administration’s responsiveness to retiree issues in the lead-up to the mayoral election.
Institutional background
The RSCMEA was founded in 1968 and has maintained a close working relationship with Boston mayors over successive administrations. Historically, mayors including Kevin White, Ray Flynn, Thomas Menino, and Marty Walsh supported public retirees and influenced retirement policy statewide. Boston, as the Commonwealth’s capital, manages the state’s third-largest public pension fund and has been positioned to share its funding progress and benefit improvements as a model for other jurisdictions.
What RSCMEA says it will pursue next
Following the endorsement, the association signaled plans to continue advocating for measures that preserve retirees’ purchasing power and maintain affordable health coverage. RSCMEA leadership stressed the importance of ensuring members benefit from the improved funding position through tangible changes such as the enhanced COLA, while monitoring implementation timelines and fiscal impacts.
Practical details
RSCMEA maintains headquarters at 11 Beacon Street, Boston, MA 02108 and can be reached by phone at (617) 723-7283. The association represents retirees and families who depend on stable pension and health benefits and will continue to engage municipal leadership on those issues.
FAQ
What action did the RSCMEA take regarding Mayor Wu?
The RSCMEA endorsed Mayor Michelle Wu for reelection, citing her demonstrated support for public retiree benefits and ongoing collaboration with the association.
What benefit changes has Boston proposed?
Boston plans to implement an Enhanced COLA for eligible retirees without increasing the city’s pension appropriation and will extend the current PEC retiree health agreement through 2027 with no changes to retiree contribution rates or out-of-pocket costs.
How well-funded is Boston’s pension system?
The Boston pension fund is nearly 90% funded and is projected to reach full funding by 2028.
What about Boston Teachers’ pension liabilities?
Pension costs for Boston Teachers are covered by the Commonwealth, and the unfunded liability associated with Boston Teachers is expected to be fully funded by 2036.
Who does the RSCMEA represent?
The association represents more than 52,000 retired public employees and their families, advocating on retirement income, benefits, and health coverage.
How can members contact RSCMEA?
RSCMEA is located at 11 Beacon Street, Boston, MA 02108 and can be contacted at (617) 723-7283.
Quick Reference Table
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| City | Boston |
| Mayor | Michelle Wu |
| Endorsement | RSCMEA endorsed Mayor Wu for reelection |
| RSCMEA membership | Over 52,000 members |
| Pension fund status | Nearly 90% funded; projected full funding by 2028 |
| Boston Teachers unfunded liability | Expected to be fully funded by 2036; costs covered by the Commonwealth |
| Enhanced COLA | Planned; to be implemented without raising the city’s pension appropriation |
| Retiree health | PEC agreement extended through 2027 with no change in retiree contributions or out-of-pocket costs |
| RSCMEA address | 11 Beacon Street, Boston, MA 02108 |
| RSCMEA phone | (617) 723-7283 |
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Additional Resources
- Mass Retirees Endorses Boston Mayor Michelle Wu for Reelection
- Boston Herald: Massachusetts Pensions and Police Officers
- MassLive: Police Officer Decertification and Pension
- Bloomberg Law: Boston Children’s Hospital Retirement Plan Pact
- Boston Globe: State Pension Fund Updates
- Wikipedia: Massachusetts
- Google Search: Boston retirement benefits
- Google Scholar: Boston pension system
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Pension
- Google News: Boston mayor Michelle Wu
Author: STAFF HERE BOSTON WRITER
BOSTON STAFF WRITER The BOSTON STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREBoston.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Boston, Suffolk County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Boston Marathon, Head of the Charles Regatta, and Boston Harborfest. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce and Associated Industries of Massachusetts, plus leading businesses in finance, biotech, and insurance that power the local economy such as Fidelity Investments, Biogen, and Liberty Mutual Insurance. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Massachusetts's dynamic landscape.
