Q: I'm seeking precedents regarding the loss of RRB Tier 1 and Tier 2 pension contributions when pension was not vested.

An individual was transferred to the US for ~6 years when vesting period was 10 years. The individual worked for the same company prior to and after the posting the in the US. Who is responsible for the loss of pension contributions and pension benefits

1 Lawyer Answer
James L. Arrasmith
PREMIUM
James L. Arrasmith pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
Answered

A: When it comes to the loss of Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) Tier 1 and Tier 2 pension contributions due to non-vesting, it can be a complicated situation. The vesting period for RRB benefits is crucial, and if you didn’t meet the required 10 years of service, you might lose entitlement to those pension benefits. Since you were transferred to the U.S. for a period of around 6 years, those contributions might not have vested, leaving you in a challenging position.

In this scenario, determining responsibility often depends on the details of your employment contract, the agreements between you and your employer, and how your employer handled pension contributions during your international assignment. If your employer didn’t inform you about the implications of the transfer on your pension benefits, there might be grounds for further inquiry or dispute. However, if the loss of benefits was tied to statutory rules, the situation might be harder to contest.

You should consider reviewing the specific terms of your pension plan and the policies that were in place during your transfer. Seeking clarification on your pension rights and examining whether there were any protections for employees in your situation would be key steps in understanding your options.

Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.

The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.

Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.