Adams firefighters could work until 70

In Massachusetts’ Adams Fire District, call firefighters, volunteer firefighters and fire engineers could stay in service until 70 instead of being forced out at 65. The proposal would cover people who would otherwise hit mandatory retirement at the end of the month in which they turn 65, but only if they are mentally and physically able to do the work.

If enacted, the change would take effect upon passage.

The district keeps a fitness check

The district could require an impartial physician, acceptable to the fire district, to examine the employee at the worker’s expense and decide whether that person is fit to remain in service. Age alone would no longer be the cutoff, but the job would still have a medical gate.

The bill also says no deductions would be taken from their regular pay for retirement or pension purposes for work done after 65. If someone retires under the act after that age, their superannuation retirement allowance would be calculated as if they had retired at 65.