Audit Report On Non-Pedagogical Pensioners Of The New York City Department Of Education Working For The City After Retirement

Audit Report In Brief

The Comptroller’s Office performed an audit to identify New York City Department of Education (non-pedagogical) pensioners who may be illegally re-employed (“double-dippers” or “disability violators”), and to quantify the amounts of any improper payments to individuals who appear to be violators of RSSL § 211 and § 212, or New York City Charter § 1117 during calendar year 2003.

Audit Findings and Conclusions

The audit found that one individual who received $6,480 in pension payments during 2003 that appear to violate § 1117 of the New York City Charter because she was collecting a disability pension while earning more than $1,800 (including pension payments) a year at a New York City agency.

Audit Recommendations

BERS should:

• Investigate the individual identified as concurrently receiving a pension while being re-employed in public service. BERS officials should also commence prompt recoupment action against this individual if she is found to be illegally collecting a pension.
• Forward to the Department of Investigation, if the circumstances warrant such action, the name of this individual if she is found to be illegally collecting a pension.
• Send special reminders to service retirees under the age of 65, and to all disability retirees, that clearly state their responsibilities regarding public service re-employment.