Comptroller Sean Scanlon Announces Progress On State Disability Pension System Reforms
Annual survey response rate has jumped to 98%
(HARTFORD, CT) – Comptroller Sean Scanlon today announced further progress on reinforcing compliance policies and reforming the state disability pension system, which is overseen by the Office of the State Comptroller (OSC).
“The disability pension system is an important lifeline for thousands of former workers who became disabled, and we must preserve it for those who truly need it. We must also ensure no one is abusing it, and I am proud to announce that reforms my office put in place have dramatically improved our ability to crack down on potential abuse of the system,” said Comptroller Scanlon.
In April, the Comptroller proposed a series of reforms to strengthen the integrity of the disability pension system. In July, he announced that his office had reached an agreement between the state and the State Employees Bargaining Agent Coalition (SEBAC) to enact those reforms, the centerpiece being a key change to the state’s annual retiree survey.
Each year, recipients of state disability pensions are required to submit a survey disclosing any additional income. Before this year, the survey was sent exclusively by mail, and there was no penalty for those who did not reply.
Beginning this year, recipients who did not reply after multiple warnings have had their pensions suspended. The suspensions do not affect recipients’ health insurance, in case there is an extenuating circumstance preventing their response. To make responding easier, the survey now features an online option. Additionally, to improve future communications, all recipients will now be asked to provide an emergency contact.
As a result of these changes, 98% of recipients have responded to this year’s survey. Of the 2,696 sent out, 658 were submitted online, and 1,987 were returned by mail. In 2023, only 80% replied to the survey, and only 78% responded in 2022.
The suspensions will not be imposed on retirees who have been found to be severely disabled by the Social Security Administration. As of December 3, 2024, 6 pensions have been suspended. Five recipients have not returned their surveys, and the sixth recipient responded to the survey but has refused to provide the required tax documents. In sum, this benefit reduction totals $30,946.87 per month.
OSC is conducting a broad analysis of all data reported in the annual survey. In each case, OSC is evaluating whether sufficient evidence exists to have the Medical Examining Board review a recipient’s continued entitlement to a disability pension.
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