Massachusetts Retirement Benefits

Understanding your pension benefits, retirement groups, and options as a Massachusetts state employee

Calculate Your Benefits

Get personalized estimates for your Massachusetts retirement benefits

Start Calculator

Retirement Groups

Group 1

General Employees

Most Common

General state employees, teachers, and most public workers

Benefit Multiplier:

2.0% at age 60, increases 0.1% yearly to 2.5% at age 65

Group 2

Probation & Court Officers

Specialized

Probation officers, court officers, certain corrections

Benefit Multiplier:

2.0% at age 55, increases 0.1% yearly to 2.5% at age 60

Group 3

State Police

Premium

Massachusetts State Police officers

Benefit Multiplier:

Flat 2.5% - can retire at any age with 20+ years

Group 4

Public Safety

Public Safety

Corrections, parole officers, public safety

Benefit Multiplier:

2.0% at age 50, increases 0.1% yearly to 2.5% at age 55

Cost of Living Adjustments (COLA)

Annual benefit increases for retirees

FY2025 COLA Structure

  • 3% rate applied to first $13,000 of annual retirement allowance
  • Maximum annual increase: $390 ($32.50/month)
  • Subject to annual legislative approval

Important Notes

  • • COLA applies only to the first $13,000 of your annual benefit
  • • Higher benefits receive the same maximum $390 increase
  • • COLA rates may change based on legislative action

Retirement Options

Option A

Maximum Benefit

Highest monthly benefit with no survivor protection

  • • Maximum monthly payment
  • • Benefits end at death
  • • No survivor benefits

Option B

Joint & Survivor

Reduced benefit with survivor protection

  • • Lower monthly payment
  • • Survivor receives same amount
  • • Lifetime protection for spouse

Option C

Modified Joint & Survivor

Moderate reduction with partial survivor benefit

  • • Moderate monthly payment
  • • Survivor receives 66.67%
  • • Balance of protection and income

Ready to Plan Your Retirement?

Use our comprehensive calculator to estimate your Massachusetts retirement benefits