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Fund board holds ‘double dipping’ hearings
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Posted on Oct 28 2005
The NMI Retirement Fund board has agreed to hold a hearing Wednesday on two cases of “double dipping,” following appeals from concerned individuals.
Fund administrator Karl T. Reyes said the Fund board was set to hear Wednesday afternoon the appeal filed by former Mayor’s Office personnel Mike Malone and legislative staff Monica Lizama.
Reyes said the Fund has sent out notices to 30 alleged “double dipping” retirees.
This refers to retirees who have been re-employed in the government, and are thus getting salary and earning retirement benefits anew while receiving their monthly pensions at the same time.
Reyes said that of the 30 people, less than 50 percent of them have appealed their cases. Usually, he said the Fund management handles the hearings, but when the appellants are not satisfied with the outcome, they ask for a hearing before the Fund board.
“That’s what we have here right now. They want to be heard by the board,” said Reyes.
Double dipping drains the government’s retirement system funds as it allows the employer, which is the government, to pay the member or a retiree twice in terms of pension benefits and salaries.
Currently, the CNMI laws only allow “double dipping” in certain professions such as teaching and medical job where there is a shortage of personnel. (Liberty Dones)
