Audit Report On Pensioners Of The New York City Fire Department Working For The City After Retirement

The Comptroller’s Office performed an audit to identify New York City Fire Department Pension Fund (FIRE) retirees 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 New York State Retirement and Social Security Law (RSSL), §210 through §216, or New York City Charter § 1117, during calendar year 2003.

Audit Findings and Conclusions

The audit found that one individual who received $10,040 in pension payments during 2003 that appear to violate § 1117 of the New York City Charter because he was collecting a disability pension while earning more than $1,800 (including pension payments) a year at a New York City agency.

Audit Recommendations

FIRE should:

• Investigate the individual identified as concurrently receiving a pension while being re-employed in public service. FIRE officials should also commence prompt recoupment action against this individual if he 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 he 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.