QUINCY — Candidate for State Senate John F. Keenan is pledging further reforms to the state pension system.  ”The law, as currently written, is outdated, overly complex, inconsistent and filled with loopholes that are easily exploited by some public employees,” said Keenan, a Quincy City Councilor-At-Large.
 
For example, Chapter 32 of the Massachusetts General Laws, which governs public pensions, still contains specific language outlining pension programs for the women who used to mop the State House floors every night, as well as for veterans of World War 1.
 
And a number of loopholes remain that allow public employees to pad their pensions through questionable employment practices, at a significant cost to taxpayers.  For instance, in some cases a person holding a full-time elected position could retire, collect a pension for holding that position, and then get re-elected and also collect the position’s full salary.  There is also a loophole that allows public employees convicted in federal court of crimes related to their position to be paid their annuities, while if they had been convicted in state court they would have lost those annuities.  “There are loopholes and inconsistencies in the law, and they should be addressed,” said Keenan.
 
“Rather than add more language to an already complex law, we should undertake a complete review of Chapter 32, repeal outdated sections, craft a statute that reflects the changed times and is fair for public employees, and do so in a manner that protects taxpayers,” said Keenan, who has discovered many problems with the law through his work as Executive Director of the Norfolk County Retirement System. 
 
Keenan recognizes that fewer private-sector employers are offering pension packages, and said he understands the anger felt by many taxpayers over the recent publicized cases of pension abuse. However, he added that the average state employee self-funds their retirement package, and therefore the focus should be on closing loopholes, ending employee abuse of the system, and crafting a fiscally responsible and sustainable retirement program.