IfI was paid a retirement annuityin error, am I legally responsible for repayment?
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IfI was paid a retirement annuityin error, am I legally responsible for repayment?
Railroad retirement contacted me by mail and said I was eligible to receive a monthly annuity from my ex-husband’s retirement fund. I received it for 17 months; now they say it was sent in error and want repayment. Since I did not ask for the annuity and it was their error, must i repay it?
Asked on July 29, 2010 under Bankruptcy Law, Pennsylvania
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 13 years ago | Contributor
Unfortunately yes, if you were overpaid in error, you have to return the money. It's as simple as this: the money is not yours, and you have no right to it. Just as if you had accidentally paid a store or serviceperson too much and would have the right to get it back, the retirement fund, etc. has the right to its overpayment back.
It would reasonable to work out a payment schedule, since it was an innocent mistake, rather than have to pay it all at once.
Also, you might first have an attorney check any pension, disability, employment agreement, etc. documents your husband had, as well as the recent correspondence--possibly you are owed something. Before you give the money back, it's worth checking--you've already seen that the fund, etc. can make mistakes in its accounting.
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