Disability Pensions

Massachusetts has a defined benefit retirement program for its municipal, county and state workers. Public employees who work 10 years or more are guaranteed a retirement allowance consisting of a pension and at least a portion of what they paid into the system over the years plus interest, the annuity. They also get lifetime health benefits.

Most private sector employees – about 55 million nationwide – rely on defined contribution retirement plans, in which they are responsible for managing their money and there is no guaranteed benefit, to supplement Social Security.

The number of private employers who match their employees’ contributions to 401(k) plans is shrinking. Those that still do typically contribute 50 cents for each dollar contributed up to the first 6 percent of an employee’s pay.

From June 2003 through  June 2008, the rate of accidental disability retirements among State Police was 27  percent, or 90 out of 335 retirements.