Widow of Tamarac Firefighter Left with Nothing After Major Mistake
A Life of Sacrifice
Elizabeth Griffith’s late husband, Doug, was a dedicated firefighter for over 25 years. He loved his job and his family, and he was confident that his pension would take care of Elizabeth for the rest of her life. However, a major mistake left her with nothing.
A Tragic Twist
When Doug passed away in 2018, Elizabeth assumed that his pension would be enough to take care of her. But she was shocked to discover that the City of Tamarac had made a critical error. Her husband, it turned out, had never been offered the opportunity to convert his disability plan into a regular retirement pension, which would have provided her with a steady income for the rest of her life.
A Missed Opportunity
Elizabeth was never notified or informed about the need to make this important decision. The City of Tamarac’s own records show that the process was never completed, and no one brought it to her husband’s attention when he asked about a raise in his disability payments.
Consequences
As a result, Elizabeth was granted a 10-year pension plan with payments spread across four years, which ended in 2022. This left her with nothing to fall back on, and she has been struggling to make ends meet ever since.
A Struggle to Survive
Elizabeth’s situation has become increasingly dire. She’s had to sell most of her possessions, including her house and car, and she’s barely scraping by. She’s lost hope and feels like she’s been abandoned by the system.
A Call to Action
The Tamarac Pension Trust Fund Board acknowledged the mistake, but the board’s attorney refused to comment, and the City of Tamarac directed Elizabeth to pursue her case through the courts, which she cannot afford to do.
Conclusion
Elizabeth’s story is a heart-wrenching reminder of the importance of transparency and responsibility in government and public institutions. It’s a cautionary tale about the consequences of negligence and the need for accountability. Elizabeth’s struggles are a testament to the sacrifices made by public servants like her late husband, Doug.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What happened to Elizabeth’s husband’s pension plan?
A: Elizabeth’s husband, Doug, was never offered the opportunity to convert his disability plan into a regular retirement pension, which would have provided her with a steady income for the rest of her life.
Q: Why was Elizabeth not informed about the need to make this decision?
A: The City of Tamarac’s own records show that the process was never completed, and no one brought it to her husband’s attention when he asked about a raise in his disability payments.
Q: What has happened to Elizabeth’s financial situation since her husband’s passing?
A: Elizabeth has been forced to sell most of her possessions and is barely scraping by. She’s struggling to make ends meet and has lost hope.
Q: What is Elizabeth’s current situation?
A: Elizabeth is currently living off the proceeds from her husband’s estate, which is expected to last only a short time. She’s considering selling her remaining assets to survive.
Q: What can be done to help Elizabeth?
A: The Tamarac Pension Trust Fund Board and the City of Tamarac should take responsibility for their mistake and work with Elizabeth to find a solution. Fans of the 7News Investigates Facebook page can also help by sharing Elizabeth’s story and supporting the call for accountability.
