Budget & Finance and Finance Committee Joint Meeting - 8/18/2026

The Town of Bridgewater, MA held a joint Budget & Finance and Finance Committee meeting on August 18, 2026, focusing primarily on pension and health insurance funding challenges. Representatives from the Plymouth County Retirement Association provided an in-depth overview of the town's pension plan status, including funding schedules, actuarial assumptions, and investment performance. They reported that Bridgewater's pension system is on track to be fully funded by 2032, with potential cost savings if the town continues prepaying its pension assessments. The discussion also covered the town's participation in the Mayflower Group health insurance trust, which has helped stabilize health insurance costs below regional averages. Committee members discussed strategies such as pension pre-funding and the possibility of pension obligation bonds to manage long-term liabilities. No specific contract awards or procurement actions were taken during the meeting, but the detailed financial and actuarial information shared will inform future budget and procurement planning related to pension and health benefits.