Massachusetts § 19A - Assignment of retirement allowances for payment of certain subscriber premiums, income taxes or support orders; deduction for payment of premiums for coverage under chapter 32B
Full text of Massachusetts Massachusetts General Laws § 19A — Assignment of retirement allowances for payment of certain subscriber premiums, income taxes or support orders; deduction for payment of premiums for coverage under chapter 32B, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 19A. Assignment of retirement allowances for payment of certain subscriber premiums, income taxes or support orders; deduction for payment of premiums for coverage under chapter 32B
Section 19A. Any employee of the commonwealth, a city, town, district or other member unit of a retirement system who is retired under this chapter shall, upon the request of the retiring authority paying such pension or retirement allowance, or otherwise may, by assignment made in writing authorize the retiring authority paying such pension or retirement allowance to withhold each month such amount as he may designate for the payment of subscriber premiums applicable to any hospitalization, medical or surgical insurance in effect with a nonprofit hospital and medical service corporation or insurance company at the time of his retirement. In the event that the amount of a retiree's pension check is insufficient to accommodate the entire deduction and upon notice from the retirement board, the employer for whom the retiree last worked and from whom he is retired shall bill the retiree for the employee share of the premiums.
Any member retired under this chapter may by assignment made in writing authorize the retirement board paying such pension or retirement allowance to withhold each month such amount as he may designate for the payment of income taxes levied under the Internal Revenue Code of the United States and the amount designated shall be transmitted and paid quarterly by the treasurer-custodian of any system to the government of the United States.
Any member retired under this chapter may by assignment made in writing authorize the retirement board paying such pension or retirement allowance to withhold each month such amount as he may designate for the payment of a child support order, issued under chapter 208, 209, 209A, 209C or 273, or received, entered, or registered pursuant to chapter 209D, and the amount designated shall be transmitted and paid monthly by the treasurer or custodian of any system to the IV–D agency. Nothing in this section shall preclude the IV–D agency from executing an order to withhold income from a member's retirement allowance, pursuant to section 12 of chapter 119A.
A retirement board in the case of a retiree may deduct the per cent contribution of health insurance premiums for all retired members receiving group life insurance, group accidental death and dismemberment insurance, group general or blanket hospital, surgical, medical, dental or other health insurance coverage under chapter 32B from the respective retiree pension check. In the event that the amount of a retiree's pension check is insufficient to accommodate the entire deduction and upon notice from the retirement board, the employer for whom the retiree last worked and from whom he is retired shall bill the retiree for the employee share of the premiums.
Source: official Massachusetts text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About Massachusetts § 19A
What does Massachusetts General Laws § 19A cover?
Section 19A ("Assignment of retirement allowances for payment of certain subscriber premiums, income taxes or support orders; deduction for payment of premiums for coverage under chapter 32B") is part of the Massachusetts General Laws, the codified statutory law of Massachusetts. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
How do I cite Massachusetts § 19A?
A common citation format is "Massachusetts General Laws § 19A" (Massachusetts). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.
Is this the official text of Massachusetts law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Massachusetts official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Massachusetts attorney.
How does Massachusetts § 19A apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Massachusetts can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.
Sources & Verification
Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Massachusetts.