A former UMass Boston employee has raised serious concerns about misleading information regarding retirement benefits that has left him facing an uncertain financial future. During a recent government meeting, the individual shared his experience of being misinformed about his eligibility to buy back years of service in the Massachusetts Retirement System, based on his previous teaching tenure at Indiana University.

The employee detailed how a memorandum of understanding (MOU) promised him the ability to purchase up to ten years of creditable service, with UMass Boston covering five years. However, after applying to the Massachusetts Retirement Board in 2016, he was shocked to learn he was ineligible for the buyback. He described the information he received from university HR personnel as erroneous, leading him to make nearly two decades of financial decisions based on false assurances.

At 77 years old, the impact of this misinformation has been profound. The former employee expressed frustration over the deceptive promises that have forced him to continue working longer than anticipated, jeopardizing his plans for retirement in Quincy, where he has built a supportive community over 19 years. His story highlights the critical need for transparency and accuracy in employment agreements, particularly regarding retirement benefits, as many rely on these assurances for their financial security in later years.