An unannounced delay in Government Employee Retirement System bimonthly direct deposit of pension checks sparked concern, anger and phone calls from frustrated pensioners to government representatives, leading Gov. John deJongh Jr. to urge GERS to update pensioners on what is happening.
Shortly after Government House weighed in, GERS issued a statement saying the delay had been resolved and that most pensioners should have their money by Monday afternoon, and the rest by Tuesday.
DeJongh said Government House had been inundated with calls about the payments.
“I am sure there is a valid reason that the required payments have not been made, but it is not acceptable for the GERS Administrator to remain silent and not explain to the retirees how these problems are being addressed as well as provide a timeline for when overdue pension payments will be received," deJongh said in the statement.
According to GERS, pension payments due Monday were delayed by a banking issue, but those retirees getting direct deposit at Banco Popular had their accounts credited and funds available by 2 p.m. GERS Administrator Austin Nibbs said in a statement that accounts in other banks will be credited Tuesday.
"Questions have been asked regarding when the direct deposit file was submitted and why GERS did not make timely deposits to cover the payments," GERS officials said in the statement, adding that GERS submitted the direct deposit file on April 9 – within the 48 hours required for electronic banking to clear prior to payment.
Officials said that GERS protocol is “to make adequate deposits to cover the payroll the week before the payroll is due, and this was done."
GERS officials said "measures have been put in place to make sure that this does not occur in the future," but the reason for the problem remained unclear.
