5 years later, Hall County employees still fighting for pension benefits in lawsuit

Plaintiffs originally served the lawsuit on the Hall County Board of Commissioners on January 12, 2017, arguing that approximately 100 current and retired Hall County employees in the expected class had improperly frozen their retirement benefits.

The lawsuit was filed against the county, its board of directors, and the Association County Commissioners of Georgia.

Rounds, who was hired in 1988, retired in September 2019 after three decades as captain in the Hall County Sheriff’s Office.

The $ 75 million question revolved around a 1998 benefit plan change that changed the formula.

In Rounds’ case, the old formula would give him a monthly pension payout of $ 2,567.

After the benefits freeze since 1998, his monthly payout would be only $ 389, according to the lawsuit.

The county has argued in court that the county lawfully changed the pension plan.

For workers reaching retirement age, their existence depends on the impact of that choice. Rounds said there are employees who hold on and see what their future will be.

“If we have nothing to live with, how can we withdraw?” Rounds asked, “… They hope and pray that Judge (Martha) Christian is doing the right thing so that we can start getting our pension.”

Another plaintiff, Bo Farmer, retired more than a year ago after serving 33.5 years with the district fire department.

Using the old formula, Farmer said he would get almost $ 3,200 a month. He is currently drawing $ 508 a month.

“It’s almost unheard of to have been in the civil service for over 30 years,” said Farmer. “It takes a toll on you.”

Farmer said he feels he has met his commitments and wants the county to honor its conclusion of the deal.

“I just don’t understand why you’re not doing the right thing,” he said.

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