HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — A ticket to early retirement is landing some people in debt after they report not receiving their pension payments from the city.
The City of Houston offered about 3,000 employees a retirement buyout package, which they said was to address the city’s $330 million projected budget shortfall.
The city confirmed that about 1,000 people took the deal in April. Now, months later, some retirees told ABC13 that they haven’t received a dime.
Retirees say they were told it would take 30 to 60 days to get their money, but it hasn’t been the case.
“I strongly regret retiring. I strongly regret it, and I’m sorry, I’m getting ready to cry. I don’t want to, but it’s a lot. It’s a lot. It’s a lot. I need help. I need my money,” retired City of Houston employee, Kathy Caldwell said.
Caldwell is a few months into retirement as she tries to focus on her health. However, the bills are piling up, and she’s growing anxious because her pension hasn’t kicked in.
She met Eyewitness News outside of Workforce Solutions, saying that while she now tries to find a new job, she wishes she could take back time and have her old job.
“I wasn’t just a seat filler. I was an employee to the max. I did my job. Now the City of Houston needs to do theirs. Give me my money,” Caldwell said.
Caldwell worked for the city for two decades in parks and recreation and took police reports for 18 years at the Houston Police Department.
“For 18 years of taking police reports outside of the other three and a half years. Well, Houston, now I have a report: Where’s my money?” Caldwell questioned.
She says it wasn’t an easy decision to leave, and now her livelihood is being challenged because of that decision.
Eyewitness News asked Mayor Joh Whitmire’s office what was going on.
His office sent ABC13 the following statement:
“The delay in processing pension payments is unacceptable. The mayor and other city representatives notified the Houston Municipal Employees Pension System in advance, and the pension system is in control of the payments. Mayor Whitmire shares the retirees’ concerns and is addressing this issue with the pension system. He expects better.”
“I expect better than that!! Even though they’re saying they’re a separate entity, they’re hand in hand. They’re interlocked somewhere,” Caldwell said.
ABC13 has reached out to the Houston Municipal Employees Pension System for a timeline of when retirees will start receiving their payments, but they have not responded.
As for Ms. Caldwell, she says she’s praying for a miracle to keep the lights on and the roof over her head.
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