About Us
Serving Active, Inactive, and Retired Members of the Middlesex County Retirement System
The Middlesex County Retirement System is the fourth largest retirement system in Massachusetts. We provide retirement, disability, and survivor benefits to the members who serve our cities, towns, districts, and authorities.
Our work is carried out by a team of professional staff members and overseen by a five-member Retirement Board, responsible for administering benefits, monitoring system assets, and safeguarding the long-term integrity of the plan for current and future members.
A Century of Service
Established in 1911 by an Act of the Legislature, the Middlesex County Retirement System has supported public employees for over 100 years. We help members build financial security throughout their careers and honor the essential work they perform every day.
Who We Serve
We proudly serve members throughout Middlesex County, including:
- 10,000 active members
- 8,800 benefit recipients
- 5,000 inactive members
- 74 governmental units
Mission Statement
To provide secure retirement benefits lawfully earned through public service to the members and beneficiaries of the Middlesex County Retirement System, and to administer those benefits with the highest degree of prudence, integrity, and fiscal responsibility.
About Our Defined Benefit Plan
Plan Summary
The Middlesex County Retirement System is a defined benefit plan that provides retirement, disability, and survivor benefits to approximately 10,000 active members, 8,800 benefit recipients, and members across 31 towns and 43 districts and authorities within Middlesex County.
The system is governed by Massachusetts General Laws Chapters 32 and 34B, which establishes benefit rules, contribution regulations, and overall plan structure for all public retirement systems in the Commonwealth. The system operates as a qualified plan under Internal Revenue Code Section 401(a).
System Assets and Funding
The Middlesex County Retirement System is funded through three primary sources: member contributions, investment earnings, and employer appropriations.
Member contributions are deposited into each member’s annuity savings account and earn statutory interest. These funds — along with employer appropriations — are invested through the Pension Reserves Investment Trust (PRIT) Fund and other investment vehicles. The combined returns on these investments, along with ongoing contributions from members and contributing governmental units, support the long-term stability of the retirement system.
Have Questions?
Find answers to common questions about eligibility, contributions, and retirement benefits.