An Act relative to retirement benefits for veterans

This bill allows Massachusetts veterans who retired from state or local systems before July 24, 1996, to count their military service time toward their retirement benefits. It specifically applies to those who served in the U.S. armed forces, including National Guard and Reserve members, and limits the creditable service to a maximum of four years. Local retirement boards must vote to adopt the changes for their specific systems, though the state teachers' and employees' systems are automatically included. The legislation also amends a separate 2002 law by removing a specific sentence regarding veteran benefits.