Retirement health benefits nightmare

Submitted by Wishyouamerry t3_z88uac in personalfinance

I am not 100% sure this question is right for this sub, but I literally cannot find anyone else to help me. If it's not right, please point me in the right direction!

In July I submitted my retirement application to the state (effective 11/01/2022) and informed my employer, Crappy City School District (CCSD) of my intention to retire in writing. In October, I discovered that they had entered me in the state system as terminated instead of retired. After a LOT of effort, I got it straightened out on the pension side, but it was still incorrect on the benefits side.

When CCSD was notified that they needed to re-enter me in the benefits system as retired, they flat out refused to do that (???) Despite MULTIPLE (multiple!!!!) phone calls to the state and requests to CCSD to correct the error, they have continued to refuse for the past 7 weeks.

Meanwhile, my child and I have been without any health insurance at all since Nov 1st because the state says they can't move forward until it's corrected, and the district says they're not going to correct it.

At this point I don't know what to do. When I try to google lawyers who deal with pensions and retirement, I can only find disability lawyers, divorce lawyers, or lawyers who will represent the employer, not the employee.

I don't know what to do or who to ask for help and I'm about to have a nervous breakdown over this.

EDIT: This is in NJ if it matters.

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Comments

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aintjoan t1_iyaevfw wrote

Contact your senator's office. (Edit: State senator)

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time_wasting_student t1_iyaegfw wrote

cross post to /r/legaladvice for assistance retaining counsel that deals with this topic.

Best of luck to you, this is a rough situation

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Wishyouamerry OP t1_iyah0oi wrote

Do you think that will help? I feel like I'm constantly reading that /r/legaladvice is full of people who wish they were lawyers but actually have no idea what they're talking about. Maybe that's just a friendly rivalry thing?

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time_wasting_student t1_iyah5c6 wrote

at the least they could identify for you what kind of lawyer to look for, if you list your state in the post they may be able to direct you to resources from your state's bar association.

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RandChick t1_iyaeob7 wrote

Did you go to your union?

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Wishyouamerry OP t1_iyafffx wrote

Yes, I actually have a lawyer through the union but he's pretty useless. I'm starting to think it's time to level up, but I'm having trouble figuring out what that looks like.

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SweetAlyssumm t1_iyanntj wrote

Go to a useful lawyer. One who knows labor law. This is a mess, and you need help.

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Wishyouamerry OP t1_iyao2xa wrote

That’s part of my problem, I’m having trouble finding anyone that deals with this. I’ve contacted about 5 firms so far, and two of them instantly told me no. ☹️

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SweetAlyssumm t1_iyaxjoj wrote

What I do is try to engage them in conversation and ask them if they know anyone who can help me and what should I do? (I'm shameless.) Some people respond and some don't but I often learn something. Ask any attorneys you or your family know who you could go to. Stretch your geographic area if you have to.

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grokfinance t1_iyaevni wrote

I would hire a local lawyer and have them write a "demand" letter to the state agency that administers the retiree benefits. Yes, you'll probably have to pay $1k or so to the lawyer, but it will be worth it to get the benefits.

Companies/governments tend to take letters from lawyers threatening to sue them more seriously than a front line call center employee answering a call from Jon Doe.

You could also file a complaint with the state AG office - not that this will necessarily get anything resolved, but it might just get your case file in front of someone who actually cares.

PS - the type of lawyer you want to search for is probably someone who deals with "administrative law" / deals with government agencies and such. I did a quick Google search and came across this firm. Not say you should use them, but I think this describes the type of firm I would hire.....

https://www.helmerlegal.com/practices/administrative-law/

https://www.lyonspc.com/administrative-law/

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Wishyouamerry OP t1_iyag6yu wrote

Thanks, I just sent requests for consultation to both places. Fingers crossed!

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grokfinance t1_iyag86s wrote

One other idea - I would write a short letter briefly describing the summary of your situation to your state legislators (mail, email, call - do all 3). Give your contact info so their staff can follow up with you for the details. You'd be surprised that sometimes politicians can actually get off their butt and do something positive/productive.

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irishkathy t1_iyaj9ck wrote

Contact you state representative. They have staff to take care of constituent issues. This is right up their alley as they will have the state contacts to correct the issue.

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bros402 t1_iyai662 wrote

Okay, assuming you are a member of the NJEA still - contact them. Contact the county level education association.

You also want to contact your state representative. They should be able to prod the Division of Pensions & Benefits.

You might also want to get a public sector employee lawyer.

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newwriter365 t1_iyd362g wrote

Whoa! Have you reached out to the Department of Labor?

You can also contact the Governor's office. He's been struggling with the teacher shortage, stories like this don't help...link

He's also doing his 'call in' show tonight on public radio, you can call in and go public with your story.

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Wishyouamerry OP t1_iyd4s5n wrote

It’s funny you mention that - I just emailed him this morning! I know he already hates the school district (for good reason) so I’m curious to see if anything will come of it.

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Wishyouamerry OP t1_iydkql2 wrote

You will NEVER guess who just called me. Kristy from the governor’s office! 😳 That was fast!

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newwriter365 t1_iydum9h wrote

His team is pretty responsive. I hope it translates to results for you :)

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