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Employment & Labor Law for Public Safety Agencies
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Retirement Rights and Benefits
The courts and M.S.P.B.
lacked the authority to review an agency decision to recover $53,766 in
erroneously paid retirement benefits due to a management error. The employee
failed to ask the O.P.M. to waive collection of the overpayments. Alexander
v. O.P.M., #2008-3131, 2008 U.S. App. Lexis 14765 (Unpub. Fed. Cir.).
Federal appeals
court rejects a claim brought by the widow of a federal retiree that had
elected to receive a reduced annuity with a partial survivor annuity. Although
the widow claimed that her late husband made a mistake in filling out the
form because he was mentally incompetent at the time and that he intended
for her to receive the maximum annuity. The spousal consent form bore the
widow's notarized signature. Scalese v. O.P.M., #2008-3168, 2008 U.S. App.
Lexis 14711 (Unpub. Fed. Cir.).
Appellate court
overrules a regulation that allowed retiring peace officers who never had
been injured on duty to collect higher benefits than an officer who was
injured on duty, even if the two have the same rank, years of service.
L.A. Co. Prof. POA v. Co. of L.A., #B200582, 2008 Cal. App. Lexis 1136
(2nd Dist.).
Illinois appellate
court upholds a line of duty pension for a police officer who suffered
a lower back injury in a scuffle with a homeless man, which caused her
lower back pain that prevented her from performing the full range of duties
as a police officer. The city cannot avoid liability by claiming that she
can return to work with accommodations, because she was never offered a
position within her limitations. Kouzoukas v. Retirement Board of Chicago,
#1-07-2623, 2008 Ill. App. Lexis 617 (1st Dist.). .
In a case where
a retired firefighter was erroneously overpaid $14,768 in benefits, the
Pension Board had jurisdiction to correct the mistake. Although there is
no statute that expressly authorizes a pension board to reduce the amount
of payments it has awarded to a pensioner, the erroneous overpayments were
not "an award of pension benefits." Fields v. Schaumburg Firefighters'
Pension Fund, #1-07-2721, 2008 Ill. App. Lexis 497 (1st Dist.).
The term "regular compensation"
provided in Calif. Govt. Code 31724 includes sick leave and vacation periods,
when taken as time off. Katosh v. Sonoma Co. Employees' Ret. Assn., #A115094,
2008 Cal. App. Lexis 758 (2nd Dist.).
Eighth Circuit overturns a city's unilateral
discontinuance of health insurance premium payments for retired public
employees as required by a bargaining agreement; Art. I §10 of the
U.S. Constitution prohibits the impairment of contracts. AFGE L-2957 v.
City of Benton, Ark, #07-1589, 2008 U.S. App. Lexis 1416 (8th Cir.).
Retiree benefits are not arbitrable if they
don't vest prior to expiration of the collective bargaining agreement.
Crown Cork & Seal v. Intl. Assn. of Machinists, #06-3639, 2007 U.S.
App. Lexis 22207 (8th Cir.).
White House police officer was not a federal
law enforcement officer within the meaning of 5 U.S. Code 8331(20), §8401(17)
and 5 C.F.R. § 831.902 because his primary function was not the "investigation,
apprehension, or detention" criminals. Duties involving maintaining
order and protecting life and property do not qualify for premium retirement
benefits. Lowder v. Dept. of Homeland Security, #2006-3181, 2007 U.S. App.
Lexis 24191 (Fed. Cir.).
Retired Rhode Island police officers and
firefighters had vested rights to receive cost-of-living adjustments "that
cannot be decreased by future ordinance." Arena v. City of Providence,
#2005-207, 919 A.2d 379 2007 R.I. Lexis 39, 181 LRRM (BNA) 3307 (R.I. 2007).
EEOC revises ADEA regulations to conform
to General Dynamics Land Sys. v. Cline, 540 U.S. 581 (2004); the 6-to-3
holding had rejected the claims of employees in their 40s who would not
receive the same retirement health benefits as the employer's older employees.
Coverage Under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, EEOC Amendment
to 29 C.F.R. Part 1625, 72 (129) Fed. Reg. 36873 (7/6/07).
Federal court upholds a First and Eighth
Amendment pension forfeiture challenge by a former police officer that
was convicted of criminal civil rights violations. The ex-officer fatally
shot a robbery suspect and coworker killed another. Other officers placed
throw down weapons on the two deceased men and reported that the men were
armed, in an effort to justify the shootings. Hames v. City of Miami, #06-22360-CIV,
2007 U.S. Dist. Lexis 25104 (S.D. Fla.). Note: The decision follows similar
rulings in Kerner v. State Employees Retir. Sys., 72 Ill. 2d 507, 382 N.E.2d
243, 246 (1978) and Horsley v. Phila. Bd. of Pens. & Retir., 519 Pa.
264, 546 A.2d 1115 (1988).
Although a public employee, as part of the
divorce decree, was supposed to designate his ex-wife as beneficiary, he
failed to do so. Upon his death the pension properly was distributed to
his children; his signing of the dissolution agreement was not a substitute
for the strict requirements for designating a beneficiary. Hansford v.
Public Empl. Retir. Sys., #06AP-880, 2007-Ohio-1242, 2007 Ohio App. Lexis
1156.
A police officer who was a member of the
bargaining unit is bound by the pension terms of a bargaining agreement
(CBA), even if he did not agree to the contents. Norcini v. City of Coatesville,
#660 C.D. 2006, 2007 Pa. Commw. Lexis 21 (2007). [N/R]
Because a sheriff's benefits plan resulted
in younger workers who were disabled to receive higher benefits than older
workers would receive, the EEOC established a prima facie violation of
the ADEA, because the plan was facially discriminatory. EEOC v. Jefferson
Co. Sheriff's Dept., #03-6437, 467 F.3d 571, 2006 U.S. App. Lexis 26981,
99 FEP Cases (BNA) 180, 2006 FED App. 0405P (6th Cir.). {N/R}
Merit Board holds that a claimant was not
entitled to enhanced retirement benefits; although the maintenance of firefighting
equipment may be indirectly connected to firefighting, it does not meet
the definition of "firefighter" under 5 U.S. Code §8401(14).
Weatherby v. Dept. of the Interior, #06-3121, MSPB #SF-0842-05-0195-I-2,
2006 U.S. App. Lexis 26641 (Fed. Cir. 2006). {N/R}
New York Court rejects a claim for duty-related
retirement benefits to an officer that worked at the WTC site. There was
evidence of preexisting cardiac disease and anxiety from a family death.
Jefferson v. Kelly, #103125/06, 2006 NY Slip Op 26417, 2006 N.Y. Misc.
Lexis 2954 (2006). [2006 FP Dec]
Merit Systems Board rejects as "untimely"
a retirement appeal; the federal employee waited more than 15 years before
filing the appeal. Valdez v. Office of Personnel Mgmt., #SE-0831-90-0192-I-1,
OPM #CSA-2-615-472, 2006 MSPB Lexis 4393, 2006 MSPB 238 (MSPB 2006). {N/R}
Illinois appellate court denies retirement
benefits to a former Inspector General of the Secretary of State's office
because of his guilty plea for obstruction of justice, even though he was
already retired at the time that he attempted to persuade a former secretary
to withhold sensitive" documents from a grand jury subpoena. Bauer
v. State Employees' Retir. Sys., #1-03-1589, 2006 Ill. App. Lexis 564 (2006).
{N/R}
Merit Systems Protections Board sustains
an agency's determination that a former nuclear materials courier, who
later became a law enforcement specialist/instructor, was not entitled
to secondary law enforcement officer retirement benefits because his position
was not a primary LEO position; although Congress specifically granted
enhanced retirement benefits to nuclear materials couriers, it did not
designate them as law enforcement officers. Fritts v. Dept. of Homeland
Security, #AT-0842-05-0529-I-1, 2006 MSPB 160 (MSPB 2006). {N/R}
City of San Diego agrees to settle a lawsuit
alleging underfunding of its municipal pension plan. City to add $173 million
into the system over the next five years. McGuigan v. San Diego, #GIC 849883,
44 (2162) G.E.R.R. (BNA) 657 (Cal. Super. 2006). {N/R}
Indiana holds that a mandatory retirement
age still applies to employees who were enrolled in a five-year DROP program.
City of Gary v. Mitchell, #45A03-0504-CV-192, 843 N.E.2d 929, 2006 Ind.
App. Lexis 409 (2006). [2006 FP Jun]
Second Circuit rules that former New York
City Transit employees are not entitled to lifetime health benefits under
a plan sponsored by their union; the retirees lacked a vested right to
such benefits. Silence in a health plan cannot be read as a promise that
retiree benefits have vested. Bouboulis v. TWUA, #04-4241, 2006 U.S. App.
Lexis 6120 (2d Cir. 2006). {N/R}
Pennsylvania appellate court holds that a
municipality cannot pass an ordinance that lessens the benefits of retired
police officers, which benefits were earned in conformity with a valid
collective bargaining agreement. Wilkes-Barre Twp. v. Penn. Lab. Rel. Bd.,
# 2648 C.D. 2004, 878 A.2d 977, 2005 Pa. Commw. Lexis 358, 178 LRRM (BNA)
2859 (2005). {N/R}
Federal court upholds a proposed EEOC Regulation
[68 (134) Fed. Reg. 41542-49] that will allow employers to provide retirees
65 and older with health benefits that are inferior to the benefits given
to younger retirees. AARP v. EEOC, #05-CV-509, 390 F.Supp.2d 437, 96 FEPCases
(BNA) 994, 2005 U.S. Dist. Lexis 21495 (E.D.Pa. 2005), relying on language
in National Cable v. Brand X, 125 S.Ct. 2688 (2005). The EEOC notes that
rising health care costs and a larger numbers of workers nearing retirement
age created an incentive for employers to eliminate all health benefits
for retirees. {N/R} New Jersey Benefits Review Task Force Report recommends
increasing the retirement age for public employees, switching from a defined
benefit to a defined contribution plan and requiring participants to pay
a larger share of their health costs. {N/R}
Illinois appellate court holds that a retired
police officer who was convicted for misconduct in office was entitled
to a full refund of his contributions to the police pension fund, without
deduction of the substantial amounts he received prior to the termination
of benefits. Bassett v. Pekin Police Pension Board, 2005 Ill. App. Lexis
1127 (3rd Dist. 2005). {N/R}
ERISA prevents pension plans from denying
credit for pre-ERISA service time accrued prior to a break-in-service;
all years of service must be used when calculating an employee's accrued
benefit. DiGiacomo v. Teamsters Pension Trust Fund, #04-3510, 420 F.3d
220, 2005 U.S. App. Lexis 18154 (3rd Cir. 2005). {N/R}
Federal Court upholds a revised EEOC regulation
allowing employers to reduce or terminate benefits for retired workers.
AARP v. EEOC, #05-CV-509, 2005 U.S. Dist. Lexis 21495 (E.D.Pa. 2005), repling
on National Cable and Telecommunications Association v. Brand X Internet
Services, 125 S.Ct. 2688 (2005). [2005 FP Dec]
Arbitrator concludes that a new management
requirement, which was not based on an actuarial study, that police officers
contribute 5% of their wages to the pension plan violates the bargaining
agreement. Bor. of State College, Pa. and State College Police Assn., 121
LA (BNA) 188, FMCS Case No. 05/51261 (Felice, 2005). {N/R}
New Illinois law penalizes any pension enhancements
caused by balloon salary increases given during a worker's last year before
retirement. S.B. 27, Illinois Pension Code Amendments (2005). [2005 FP
Sep]
Armed park ranger was not entitled to a federal
law enforcement officer pension; duties such as maintaining order, protecting
life and property are not the type of law enforcement duties that qualify
an employee for LEO service credits under 5 C.F.R. §831.902. Fagergren
v. Dept. of the Interior, #DE-0831-03-0469-I-1, 2005 MSPB Lexis 3240 (MSPB
2005). {N/R}
NYC police sergeants union settles
pension mismanagement lawsuit for $4.75 million. The fund, which benefits
10,000 active and retired members, fell from a high of $141 million in
Mar. 2000 to $96 million in Sep. 2002. Another $29 million is claimed against
a codefendant firm. N.Y.C. Sergeants Benevolent Assn. Annuity Fund v. Trainer
Wortham & Co., N.Y. Law J. 5/31/2005 (Sup. Ct. Manhattan Co. NY 2005).
{N/R}
Seventh Circuit holds
that the due process rights of retired officers were not violated when
the county required retired sheriff's deputies to pay higher health care
premiums than required by currently employed deputies. Germano v. Winnebago
County, #04-3319, 2005 U.S. App. Lexis 6075 (7th Cir. 2005). {N/R}
Eighth Circuit concludes that a state's decision
to fund health insurance programs for some state employees at a different
level than it funds program for others had a rational basis and did not
violate the equal protection or due process clauses. Carter v. State of
Arkansas, #04-1017, 2004 U.S. App. Lexis 26265 (8th Cir. 2004). {N/R}
A public employee benefit plan using public
funds is not subject to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of
1974 (ERISA), 88 Stat. 829. Gualandi v. Adams, #02-7809, 385 F.3d 236,
2004 U.S. App. Lexis 20620 (2d Cir. 2004). {N/R}
Supreme Court holds that employers cannot
reduce pensions for workers who retire early and then go to work somewhere
else. In a unanimous ruling the justices held that ERISA [29 U.S. Code
§1053(a)(3)(B)] protects against lowered benefits that take effect
after a worker has retired -- in this case, the plaintiffs "retired"
at age 39. Central Laborers' Pension Fund v. Heinz, #02-891, 2004 U.S.
Lexis 4028 (2004). {N/R}
Employers will be able to reduce or eliminate
retired workers' health benefits after they qualify for Medicare, under
a revised Rule of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. U.S. Equal
Employment Opportunity Commission Notice of Proposed Rulemaking: Age Discrimination
in Employment Act -- Retiree Health Benefits, 68 (134) Fed. Reg. 41542
(July 14, 2003). [2004 FP Jun]
California appellate court concludes that
a payment for accumulated sick leave is not part of a public employee's
"final compensation" under Government Code 31461 and 31461.2
and should not be included when calculating retirement benefits. Salus
v. San Diego Co. Emplees. Assn., #D041608, 2004 Cal. App. Lexis 478 (4th
Dist. 2004). {N/R}
Pension fund was not obligated to reinstate
the retirement benefits of a police officer who was convicted of lying
to a grand jury, and later was pardoned by President Clinton. The claimant
forfeited all rights and property interest when he elected to receive a
refund of his pension contributions. Yasak v. Ret. Bd. of Policemen's Benefit,
#03-1733, 2004 U.S. App. Lexis 1661 (7th Cir. 2004). {N/R}
Effective in June 2003, federal agencies
now have the option of offering voluntary early retirement to employees
for the purposes of restructuring or downsizing under guidance issued by
the U.S. Office of Personnel Management. "Voluntary Early Retirement
Under the Homeland Security Act of 2002," 68 (114) Fed. Reg. 35270
(6/13/03).
Governor of New York (George Pataki, Rep.)
has approved Assembly Bill 8352 which will reduce state and local government
pension costs by $1.6 billion in the current fiscal year; it restructures
the way public employers make contributions to the state's retirement fund.
{N/R}
A Norfolk naval base police officer was not
a law enforcement officer under 5 U.S. Code §8336(c)(1), and was not
entitled to enhanced retirement benefits. Koenig v. Dept. of the Navy,
#02-3126, 315 F.3d 1378, 2003 U.S. App. Lexis 629 (Fed Cir. 2003). Also
see Watson v. Dept. of the Navy, 262 F.3d 1292 (Fed. Cir. 2001). {N/R}
Pennsylvania appellate court holds that detectives
employed by district attorneys are not members of a police force for early
retirement purposes. Allegheny Co. Detectives Assn. v. Allegheny Co. Retirement
Bd., #188 C.D. 2002, 804 A.2d 1285, 2002 Pa. Commw. Lexis 666 (Pa. Cmwlth.
2002). {N/R}
California reserve police officer, who received
minimum wage rate and served 1 or 2 days per month for 27 years, was not
"honorably retired" to qualify for the right to carry a concealed
firearm on retirement. Haas v. Meisner, 2002 Cal. App. Lexis 4933 (4th
Dist. 2002). {N/R}
Although a 1989 divorce decree provided that
a public employee's first wife would receive 60 percent of his retirement
benefits, his surviving second spouse was the statutory beneficiary of
all of his survivor benefits, and the courts were powerless to apportion
those benefits. Cosby v. Cosby, #2001-0659, 96 Ohio St.3d 228, 2002 Ohio
4170, 773 N.E.2d 516, 2002 Ohio Lexis 1997 (2002). {N/R}
Merit Systems
Protection Board holds that U.S. Navy police officers at the Norfolk Naval
Shipyard were not entitled to law enforcement officer retirements. Street
v. Dept. of the Navy, #DC-0842-00-0210-I-1, 2002 MSPB Lexis 41 (MSPB 2002).
[N/R]
Federal appeals court upholds a one-year
limitation of the Navy's law enforcement retirement credit, 5 C.F.R. §831.906(e-f).
Stearn v. Dept. of the Navy, #01-3013, 280 F.3d 1376 (Fed. Cir. 2002).
[N/R]
The Supreme Court has declined to review
a Court of Appeals holding that U.S. Navy base police officers were entitled
to the early retirement privileges as other federal LEOs. Watson v. Dept.
of Navy, #01-725, 122 S.Ct. 817, 2002 U.S. Lexis 279 (cert. denied 2002);
appellate decision at 262 F.3d 1292 (Fed. Cir. 2001). [N/R]
The fact that an employer grants waivers
or treats employees differently does not prove a claim that the employer
administered its plan arbitrarily and capriciously under the ERISA. Mauser
v. Raytheon, #99-1895, 239 F.3d 51, 2001 U.S. App. Lexis 1562 (1st Cir.).
{N/R}
Illinois appellate court upholds the decision
of a police retirement board to deny a pension because of an officer's
felony conviction for mail fraud. Devoney v. Retirement Bd. of Chicago,
#1-99-1383, 321 Ill. App.3d 1, 746 N.E.2d 836, 2001 Ill. App. Lexis 166
(2001). {N/R}
N.J. Supreme Court reinstates medical benefits
for a retired police officer. Although he was not legally entitled to the
benefits, his superiors misunderstood the law at the time he retired and
assured him that he was entitled to medical benefits. Middletown Twp. PBA
v. Twp. of Middletown, #A-116-98, 162 N.J. 361, 744 A.2d 649, 2000 N.J.
Lexis 23. [2000 FP 91]
A city need not provide its retirees the
same dental benefits obtained by active employees, gained by collective
bargaining. L- 21, Int. Fed. v. San Francisco, 76 Cal. App.4th 213, 90
Cal.Rptr.2d 186, 1999 Cal. App. Lexis 987. {N/R}
Appeals court rejects claim that retired
public employees must receive the same health benefits as active employees.
Intl. Fed. Prof. L-21 v. San Francisco, 76 Cal.App.4th 213, 1999 Cal. App.
Lexis 987, 90 Cal.Rptr.2d 186 (1999). [2000 FP 27-8]
U.S. Supreme Court rejects appeal of public
official who lost his pension following a conviction for bribe-taking.
Forfeiture of retirement benefits does not violate the Constitution. Ret.
Bd. v. Azar, 721 A.2d 872, 1998 R.I. Lexis 330; cert. den. #98-1623, 1999
U.S. Lexis 3298. [1999 FP 108]
Illinois Attorney General rules that a pension
forfeiture law applies to either state or federal crimes. IL A.G. Opin.
# 99- 006. www.ag.state.il.us/Opinions/99-006.htm [1999 FP 108]
Massachusetts Supreme Court upholds the forfeiture
of the pension contributions made by a former police officer who stole
an entrance exam for his son. He had conspired to defraud the city of amounts
exceeding the refund due. Doherty v. Retirement Bd. of Medford, 425 Mass.
130, 680 N.E.2d 45 (1997). [1998 FP 106-7]
En banc panel in San Francisco upholds suit
to give pension and other benefits to workers that were hired as "independent
contractors." Status and duties, not labels, determines eligibility
for benefits. Vizcaino v. Microsoft Corp., 1997 U.S. App. Lexis 18869 (9th
Cir, en banc), citing Daughtrey v. Honeywell, Inc., 3 F.3d 1488 (11th Cir.
1993). A contrary decision is reached by a federal appeals panel in Virginia.
Clark v. E. I. DuPont, 1997 U.S. App. Lexis 321, 20 E.B.C. 2309 (4th Cir.).
[1997 FP 136-7]
Federal court invalidates a police pension
fund that treated women different than men because they, as a class, live
longer. Kuhn v. Mun. Police Retir. Sys., 1996 U.S.Dist. Lexis 15362 (E.D.La.).
[1997 FP 13-14]
Federal appeals court strikes down a state
statute that denied retirement benefits to public employees hired after
they reached their 65th birthday. EEOC v. Mass., 77 F.3d 572 (1st Cir.
1996). [1996 FP 108]
Appellate court allows terminated employee
to collect accumulated sick leave time because employment handbook did
not distinguish retirement separations as honorable/dishonorable or as
voluntary/involuntary. Dow v. Columbus-Cabrini Medical Ctr., 274 Ill.App.3d
653, 655 N.E.2d 1, 10 IER Cases (BNA) 1221, 1995 Ill.App. Lexis 425. [1995
FP 155]
Fed. ct. dismisses a disabilities discrimination
suit of a police officer who was denied admission into pension fund and
who brought a suit under the ADA. Rodriguez v. City of Aurora, 887 F.Supp.
162 (N.D.Ill. 1995). {N/R}
Police officer with diabetes was allowed
to proceed with a claim the refusal of a police pension fund to enroll
him violated the ADA. Holmes v. City of Aurora, 1995 WL 21606 (N.D.Ill.
1/18/95). See also: U.S. v. St. of Illinois, 3 AD Cases 1157 (N.D.Ill.
1994). To settle all claims, the city council agreed to pay the officers
$2,000 to drop his federal court lawsuit, make a $31,413 payment to the
pension plan for the 10 years no money was paid in his behalf, and pay
his attorneys $70,000; 8/17/95 Chi. Trib. 2-4. {N/R}
For pension purposes, an employee's age is
that age stated on the employment application; proof of a different age
cannot be later raised to increase one's benefits. Glynn v. Retir. Bd.,
635 N.E.2d 823 (Ill.App. 1994). {N/R}
Illinois allows a police officer, under a
25 year sentence for murder, to collect his retirement pension. Crime was
not committed while on duty. Cullen v. Retirement Bd. of Chicago, 1995
Ill.App. Lexis 173. [1995 FP 75-6]
Congress amends Social Security Act to allow
full participation by firefighters and police officers. Social Security
Independence Act of 1994, 42 U.S. Code Sec. 418. [1995 FP 28]
Changes in retirement laws designed to encourage
present and future employees to remain in service longer may have prospective
application; retroactivity would not promote the purpose of such amendments.
Arkansas Fire & Police Pension Bd. v. Stephens, 832 S.W.2d 239 (Ark.
1992). [1993 FP 28]
Florida rules that unused vacation and sick
leave are not “salary and wages” for purposes of calculating retirement
benefits. Miami Beach Police & Firemen v. Bd. of Trustees, 581 So.2d
229 (Fla.App. 1991). [1992 FP 108]
Employer's pension plan is not legally required
to increase benefits of employees who voluntarily work past their normal
retirement age. Atkins v. Northwest Airlines, 59 FEP Cases (BNA) 227 (8th
Cir. 1992). [1992 FP 141-2]
Pension funds could decline to cover a diabetic
police officer. Holmes v. Ill. Munic. Retir. Fund, 540 N.E.2d 1122 (Ill.App.
1989).
City could amend fire dept. pension plan,
increase benefits, and require firefighters to make retroactive contributions.
Burlington F.F.A. v. City of Burlington, 543 A.2d 686 (Vt. 1988).
Erroneously retired lieutenant entitled to
reinstatement and seniority preference for promotion to captain. Snell
v. City of Shreveport, 514 So.2d 698 (La. App. 1987).
Federal Court upholds state law equalizing
retirement ages of men and women public employees; fact one sex now must
work an extra five years is not unconstitutional. Pineman v. Fallon, 662
F.Supp. 1311 (D. Conn. 1987).
“Equal or better” benefits does not require
a mathematical formula as to which pension plan should prevail. Salem Firefighters
v. Public Employment Retirement Board, 717 P.2d 126 (Ore. 1986).
Retirement bonus pay law repealed; retirees
win suit to reinstate benefits. City of Athens v. McGahee, 341 S.E.2d 855
(Ga. App. 1986).
City could not terminate ex-vice squad commander's
pension because of subsequent conviction. Board of Trustees of Police Pension
v. Weed, 719 P.2d 1276 (Okla. 1986).
City can still collect pension contributions
from those who have reached the maximum benefit level of participation.
Caruso v. City of Omaha, 222 Neb. 257, 383 N.W.2d 41 (1986).
State could change pension laws and reduce
benefits for those who had not yet reached eligibility status, but could
not adversely affect those who retired or could have retired. Baker v.
Okla. Firefighters Pension system, 718 P.2d 348 (Okla. 1986).
Deputy fire chief's pension should be calculated
on the pay rate of his highest civil service rank, not his exempt bank.
Braun v. Retirement Bd. of Firemen's Fund of Chicago, 483 N.E.2d 8 (Ill.
1985).
Michigan retirement pay includes longevity,
holidays, vacations, overtime, shift-differential and cost-of-living; excludes
recall pay, sick leave, life and hospital insurance. Gentile v. City of
Detroit, 362 N.W.2d 848 (Mich. App. 1984).
City could lower retirement benefits for
newly hired fire and police personnel; no equal protection problems. Jackson
Firefighters Assn. Local 87 v. City of Jackson, Miss., 736 F.2d 209 (5th
Cir. 1984).
Deputy fire chief, convicted of pay-offs
for his promotion, not entitled to retirement pay based on promotional
ranks. Hackett v. City of New Britain, 2 Conn. App. 225, 477 A.2d 148 (1984).
City can amend pension laws for new employees;
no right to transfer benefits when employees switch departments. San Francisco
Fire Fighters L-798 v. City of San Francisco, 201 Cal.Rptr. 176 (App. 1984).
City can unilaterally require firefighters
and police to increase their pension contributions. Intern. Assn. of Fire
Fighters v. City of San Diego, 667 P.2d 675 (Cal. 1983).
“Salary” for retirement purposes does not
include overtime pay regularly earned. Beaver v. Liston, 464 A.2d 679 (Pa.
Cmwlth. 1983).
Employee entitled to higher pension than
legally due if city mistakenly informed him of the amount due if he retired.
Kern v. City of Flint, 335 N.W.2d 708 (Mich. App. 1983).
Disabled employee could switch to ordinary
retirement pension when he reached eligible age. Redding v. Board of Trustees
of Oak Park, 450 N.E.2d 763 (Ill.App. 1983).
Court action in setting aside a felony conviction
does not restore former employee's right to a pension. Ballard v. Board
of Trustees of Police Pension Fund of the City of Evansville, 452 N.E.2d
1023 (Ind.App. 1983).
Local option retirement plans that are “equal”
or better than state plans need no be identical or equal in every provision.
Oregon Fire/Police Retirement Committee v. Oregon Public Employees"
Retirement Board, 671 P.2d 729 (Ore. App. 1983).
"Salary" means base pay, not overtime
and credits, when used for pension deductions and pension benefits. Hill
v. City of Lincoln, 330 N.W.2d 471 (Neb. 1983).
City could not deny firearms permit to disabled
police officer without a hearing and a showing of cause. Monzingo v. City
of Garden Grove, 190 Cal.Rptr. 750 (App. 1983).
Does a police or fire chief or his subordinate
forfeit a pension because of misconduct? New Jersey Supreme Court sets
a precise standard of review. Uricoli v. Bd. of Trustees, Police &
Firemen's Retirement System, 91 N.J. 62, 449 A.2d 1267 (1982).
Ex-wife can require pension board to make
payments directly to her, due under divorce decree. Spadaro v. New York
City Police Pension Service, 454 N.Y.Supp. 374 (Misc. 1982).
Once, again, appellate court upholds rule
of no refunds for personnel that quit before retirement. Holmes v. City
of Los Angeles, 172 Cal.Rptr. 589 (App. 1981).
State retirement system can treat highway
patrol officers and narcotics agents differently; not a denial of equal
protection clause of constitution. Anderson v. Winter, 631 F.2d 1238 (5th
Cir. 1980).
State cannot increase pension contributions
without adding to benefits; vested rights impaired. Singer v. City of Topeka,
607 P.2d 467 (Kan. 1980). Retirement pension must include longevity benefits
in determining final salary if increments were included in employee's contributions.
York Paid Firemens Pension Fund Board v. Orendorff, 419 A.2d 232 (Pa. Cmwlth.
1980).
Resigning employees not entitled to refund
of mandatory contributions. Stevens v. Bd. of Trustees of Shreveport, 370
So.2d 528 (La. 1979).
Different retirement benefits for chief not
a violation of equal protection doctrine. City of Winona v. Policeman's
Relief Assn., 281 N.W. 2d 145 (Minn. 1979).
Can the legislature reduce pension benefits?
Alabama Supreme Court sets guidelines. Bd. of Trustees v. Cary, 373 So.2d
841 (Ala. 1979).
Resigning employees not entitled to refund
of withheld pension contributions. Musquiz v. City of San Antonio, 586
F.2d 530 (5th Cir. en banc 1978); 528 F.2d 499 affirmed.
Indiana rules that eligible disabled retirees
can switch to ordinary retirement to receive increased benefits. Bobson
v. City of Mishawaka, 383 N.E.2d 484 (Ind.App. 1978).
State law may treat fire and police personnel
differently from other employees. Bryson v. Utah State Retirement Office,
573 P.2d 1280 (Utah 1978).
Involuntary Retirement discussed. Gardner
v. Nation, 522 P.2d 1281.
Equal Protection discussed. Roth v. Public
Employees Retir. Bd. of Ohio, 336 N.E.2d 448 (Ohio App. 1975).
Statute of Limitations; Collateral Estoppel.
Montagna v. O'Hagan, 402 F.Supp. 178 (E.D. N.Y. 1975).
Separate pension fund sought in suit by Rhode
Island firemen. Montanero et al v. Taft et al, Providence Super. Ct. (R.I.
1974).
See also: Disability
Rights and Pensions; Divorce Proceedings;
Sex Discrimination; Sexual
Harassment.