Bill sets pension and family payment terms for injured officer

The bill would direct the West Springfield retirement board to set Chapdelaine’s disability pension at a stated amount. This covers Michael D. Chapdelaine, a retired West Springfield police officer who was injured while on duty on November 8, 2000, and is totally and permanently unable to perform a police officer’s essential duties. The yearly pension would equal 100 percent of the regular pay rate used to calculate his original pension, plus later cost-of-living increases. If passed, the increase would take effect upon passage and apply retroactively to October 29, 2024. He would be paid any additional amount due.

The bill would set rules for Chapdelaine’s public and private work while he receives these benefits. These rules apply to Michael D. Chapdelaine while he receives benefits under the bill. His earnings from public service could be up to half his pension without a refund penalty, but he could not work in retirement system Groups 3 or 4 while receiving these benefits. Private work would be allowed without a penalty if his work is not devoted to a government employer. These rules would apply while he receives benefits under the bill.

The bill would provide pension payments to Chapdelaine’s eligible spouse or children after his death. This covers Chapdelaine’s surviving spouse and, if both spouses die first, qualifying unmarried children. A surviving spouse would receive 75 percent of his annual pension for life, but must choose between this payment and the specified existing pension option if eligible for both. If both spouses die first, eligible unmarried children would share 75 percent of the pension payable at his death. Children must be under 18, under 22 and full-time students, or over 18 and physically or mentally unable to earn income when he retired. The spouse’s payments would start if Chapdelaine dies first. Children’s payments would apply if both spouses die before them and would stop for a child who no longer qualifies.