Retirement Allowance Direct Deposit Dates

Month	Date
January	01/31/2012
February	02/29/2012
March	03/30/2012
April	04/30/2012
May	05/31/2012
June	06/29/2012
July	07/31/2012
August	08/31/2012
September	09/28/2012
October	10/31/2012
November	11/30/2012
December	12/31/2012

The November 3rd, 2011 Boardmember Election pitted two public safety officials against one another.  Long-time board incumbent and retired Firefighter Richard "Dick" Avila bested newcomer and Police dept. veteran Dennis Smith in what shaped up to be a closer race than in prior elections.  For Smith, it was a good showing for his first time running for the position but he couldn't quite overcome Avila's support from the retirees, who represented the majority of votes cast.  68% of retirees voted, while only 24% of active/inactive members cast ballots.  Avila's new 3-year term will run from December 1, 2011 thru November 30, 2014.

Thank you to everyone who took the time to vote!

Election Results	Unofficial
Richard T. Avila	444 Votes
Dennis M. Smith	329 Votes

TO THE MEMBERS OF THE TAUNTON RETIREMENT SYSTEM:

An election will be held on Thursday, November 3, 2011 for the purpose of electing one board member to serve on the five-member Taunton Retirement Board for a term of three (3) years, said term to run from December 1, 2011 thru November 30, 2014.   All eligible active and inactive members will vote at the Taunton Retirement Board offices, 40 Dean Street, Unit 3, Taunton, MA. from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.   Mark your calendar now and VOTE for the candidate of your choice on November 3rd.

The following is a list of candidates running for election to your retirement board:

Richard T. Avila, (Incumbent), Retired Firefighter
Dennis M. Smith, Police Officer

Absentee Ballots

If you are an active or inactive member of the system and are unable to vote at the retirement board office on November 3, 2011, you may request an absentee ballot in writing by filing a form with the retirement board.  Such requests and filings shall be made no later than 2:00 p.m. on 11/02/2011.  If interested, please contact the retirement board at (508) 821-1052 or stop by our offices at 40 Dean Street, Unit 3, Taunton, MA.

If you have any questions concerning this election, please do not hesitate to contact our office.

TO THE ACTIVE & RETIRED MEMBERS OF THE TAUNTON RETIREMENT SYSTEM:

The term of current elected member Richard T. Avila will expire on November 30, 2011.  Therefore, an election will be scheduled for Thursday, November 3, 2011 for the purpose of electing one board member to serve on the five-member Taunton Retirement Board for a term of three (3) years, said term to run from December 1, 2011 thru November 30, 2014.  

All holding membership in the Taunton Retirement System may qualify as a candidate provided they file with the Taunton Retirement Board a nomination paper containing the signatures of at least twenty (20) members of the system.  The nomination paper must be filed on or before 12:00 noon on Thursday, September 1, 2011.

NOMINATION PAPERS ARE NOW AVAILABLE AND MAY BE OBTAINED AT THE TAUNTON RETIREMENT BOARD, 40 DEAN ST., UNIT 3, TAUNTON, MA. OR BY CALLING 508-821-1052 BETWEEN 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM.

If the Retirement Board determines that more than one (1) candidate has been nominated, the Board shall prepare an Official Election Ballot and the election will be held.  A second notice will be mailed to all members announcing the candidates and election procedures.  Normally, all active members will vote at the Retirement Board Offices, 40 Dean St., Taunton between the hours of 7:30 am and 5:30 pm.  Retirees will vote via absentee ballot.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact our office. Please click here for a copy of the offical election notice.

At a meeting of the Taunton Retirement Board on January 28, 2011, the board unanimously voted to approve a COLA of 3%. The 3% COLA will be effective July 1, 2011 and applies to the first $14,000 of a retirement allowance. Therefore, the maximum benefit available will be $420.00 per year ($35.00/month). Eligible retirees/survivors are those who retired on or before June 30, 2010.

Schedule of 2011 direct deposit dates.

January	01/31/2011		July	07/29/2011
February	02/28/2011		August	08/31/2011
March	03/31/2011		September	09/30/2011
April	04/29/2011		October	10/31/2011
May	05/31/2011		November	11/30/2011
June	06/30/2011		December	12/30/2011

Peter H. Corr, retired police officer, easily won re-election to the Taunton Retirement Board for the 9th time by out-distancing his only challenger – Gregory W. Galligan – by a vote total of 518 to 100.  For Galligan, an active firefighter, it was his first time seeking election to the board.  Corr received strong support from the members especially retirees, who were the majority of the voters.

We would like to thank all those who took the time to participate in the election.

Sincerely,            
Paul J. Slivinski, Election Officer

Two (2) candidates have qualified to run for a seat on the Taunton Retirement Board.  The candidates are as follows:

Peter H. Corr (incumbent) - retired Taunton police officer
Gregory W. Galligan - Taunton firefighter

The term is for three (3) years from January 1, 2011 thru December 31, 2013.

Active and Inactive members will vote in person between the hours of 7:30 am to 5:30 pm on 12/02/2010 at the retirement board offices on 40 Dean Street, Taunton.  Active/inactive members may request an absentee ballot if unable to vote in person on 12/02/2010.

Retirees will receive an absentee ballot in the U.S. mail to cast their vote.

Sincerely,
Paul J. Slivinski, Election Officer

First In State To Approve New Law

COLA Base increased to $14,000
The Taunton Retirement Board voted September 24, 2010 to increase the base used to cap cost-of-living adjustments (COLA's) from $12,000 to $14,000 and the Taunton City Council recently added their support to this provision.  While modest in nature, the Board hopes this will be a first step in providing relief to those retirees affected by the base.  A recent law enacted by the Massachusetts state legislature - Chapter 188 of the Acts of 2010 - created a provision G.L. c. 32, § 103(j) that allows the retirement board, subject to approval by the local legislative body, to increase the COLA base in increments of $1,000.  Hopefully, as the economy improves over time, the Board will consider increasing the COLA base further while also taking into consideration budgetary constraints and funding issues.

Survivors of Accidental Disability retirees to receive increase
The Retirement Board voted September 24, 2010 to adopt a new provision to increase the pension of certain survivors to a minimum of $9,000/year.  The Taunton City Council also approved this benefit.  Effective January 1, 2011, survivors of accidental disability retirees under G.L. c. 32, §101 will see their monthly pension rise to $750/month.  Section 101 survivors are the widows and widowers of accidental disability retirees who die of causes unrelated to their disability and who retired before 11/07/1996.

As a service to our members, many of whom are impacted by the Social Security Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO), the Taunton Retirement offers the following information:

Update on Mandatory Social Security for government workers.

Official Facts on the WEP: Collecting Social Security on your own work history.

Official Facts on the GPO: Collection Social Security through a spouse's work history.