UPCOMING
Date: February 27, 2026
Purpose
Pursuant to Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 32, Section 103 (i), please accept notice that on Friday, February 27, 2026 at 8:30a.m., the Lawrence Retirement Board will conduct a public meeting at 354 Merrimack St. Included in this meeting it will discuss whether it will elect to grant a Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA), not to exceed 3% in the aggregate (up to the first $14,000 of the retirement allowance), to the Lawrence Retirement System’s retirees and survivors.
Conditional Effective Date:
If approved, allowances will increase effective July 1st, 2026. Also, this will be
applicable to all those who retired on or before June 30th, 2025.
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APPROVED COLA on 2/27/2026 - 3% Capped at 14K
Please Note: Bi-Annual verifications for pensions paid in 2026 will be sent out the first week of January, 2027 - Please note, you will have two option for return. Either have your verification notarized or bring it in person, with an ID for us to verify. Failure to return your form will result in your pension being stopped. THANK YOU to everyone that returned your form. The next mailing will be January of 2029.
Exciting News: Information on the Repeal of the Social Security Windfall Act (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO) CLICK HERECLI
Please note: Your pension is exempt from Massachusetts State Income Tax
Massachusetts state and local employee contributory pension
Massachusetts state/local employee pensions are contributory annuity, pension, endowment, or retirement funds of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts (or any of its political subdivisions), including the MA Optional Retirement Program (ORP).
As an employee of Massachusetts:
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Contributions you made to a Massachusetts state and local employee contributory plan are included in Massachusetts gross income even though they are excluded from federal gross income.
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Income you earned on the contributions while in the Massachusetts state and local employee contributory plan is excluded from gross income.
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Distributions made to you from a Massachusetts state and local employee contributory plan are excluded from Massachusetts gross income even though they are included in federal gross income.
Massachusetts state/local employee contributory pensions that are paid to a surviving spouse are also tax-exempt.
Retiree Insurance Information
The City Health Insurance is offered through the Group Insurance Commission, GIC
City benefit questions can be asked via Dawna Mackland-Rivera at 978 620-3065
Greater Lawrence Technical School insurance questions should be directed to Carol Dwyer 978 686-0194
Click here for rates and benefit guides as well as instructions for changing benefits
Click here for access to the Altus site
GIC Annual Open Enrollment - For more information, go to our home page
The Massachusetts Group Insurance Commission (GIC) open enrollment will be April 1 - May 1, 2026 for changes effective July 1, 2026. -
Annual Open Enrollment is almost here! This is your once-a-year opportunity to review and make changes to your health and dental coverage.
Open Enrollment Period: April 1 – May 1, 2026
Effective Date of Changes: July 1, 2026
The City participates in the Massachusetts Group Insurance Commission (GIC), which offers a variety of health insurance options. Annual Enrollment for both health insurance (GIC) and dental insurance will run from April 1 through May 1, 2026.
Please note that we have not yet received the FY27 premium rates.
No Changes?
If you are satisfied with your current health and dental coverage and do not wish to make any changes, no action is required. Your current elections will automatically continue into FY2027.
Making Changes:
Any changes made during Open Enrollment will take effect July 1, 2026. Please remember that premium deductions are taken one (1) month in advance (June 2026 payroll for July coverage).
We strongly encourage retirees to complete enrollment changes online through the GIC’s member portal:
MyGICLink Member Benefits Portal:
Visit: bit.ly/mygiclink
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Enter your email address and date of birth.
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Select your GIC form(s).
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Click “Request.”
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Check your email for the requested form(s).
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Follow the instructions to complete and submit.
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Watch for a confirmation email of receipt.
If GIC has your email address on file, you may access and submit your enrollment forms electronically through MyGICLink.
Paper Forms (If Necessary)
If you prefer to complete a hard copy form, please mail or deliver it to:
Dawna Mackland-Rivera
Personnel Benefits Coordinator
200 Common Street, Room 303
Lawrence, MA 01841
Forms may also be hand-delivered to Room 303 at City Hall.
This year, Dawna will also hold office hours at the Senior Center (155 Haverhill Street) on Tuesdays from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. However, we strongly encourage use of the online submission process, as it is faster, easier, and more reliable.
Important Deadline
All forms must be received on or before May 1, 2026. Failure to submit required forms by the deadline will prevent you (and/or your eligible dependents) from enrolling in health insurance through the GIC and/or dental insurance through Altus Dental for FY2027.
If you have any questions, please contact our Benefits Coordinator, Dawna Mackland-Rivera.
Dmackland-rivera@cityoflawrence.com 978-620-3065.
* Please note: GIC Health Insurance rates will increase effective your June 2026 pension check