Members

If you’re having trouble downloading the pdf file, you may need to upgrade to the latest version of Acrobat Reader. Please see the Acrobat Reader download link at bottom of this page. Upon completion of the necessary form, please return the original form to the Hampden County Regional Retirement Board, 67 Hunt Street, Suite 116, Agawam, Massachusetts 01001. If you have any questions, you may contact the Retirement Board at (413) 737-1344.

Chapter 176 of the Acts of 2011 makes significant changes to the retirement laws for those who become members of a Retirement System on or after April 2, 2012. If an individual whose membership began prior to April 2, 2012, withdraws his or her funds from the Retirement System and later is employed in the public sector in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and once again, becomes a member of a Retirement System, the rights and responsibilities in effect when the individual again becomes a member will be applicable.

Withdrawing your contributions has serious ramifications due to the number of changes affecting the retirement plan benefits and rights in the retirement system with the passage of Chapter 176 of the Acts of 2011. Some of the most prominent changes you should be aware of are:
* Increase to the minimum retirement age;
* New age factors for calculating a retirement allowance;
* Unavailability of G.L. c. 32 section 10 termination allowances;
* Five-year average annual rate of regular compensation for calculating allowances rather than a three-year average;
* Proration of benefits earned for service in different Group classifications;

If you have any questions or concerns regarding these changes, we urge you to contact the Hampden County Regional Retirement Board at (413) 737-1344 so we can counsel you more thoroughly.