A Dedicated Firefighter

Doug Griffith dedicated over 25 years of service to the Tamarac Fire Department. His passion for firefighting was evident in his eagerness to tackle challenges head-on. Elizabeth fondly remembers him stating, “He was that kind of guy. He always wanted to be the first one to do the job. And he was like, gung ho fire department.”

The Pension Assurance

Before his passing in 2018, Doug spent the final years of his career on disability. He consistently reassured Elizabeth about the pension benefits that would secure her future: “He would say, ‘I don’t know what it would be, but you will get a life pension.’ He was so sure.” However, this assurance turned out to be a misconception.

The Grim Reality

Following Doug’s death, Elizabeth reached out to the City of Tamarac regarding his pension, only to discover a shocking truth: her husband did not have a pension plan as he believed. “When it hit me, I, of course, cried for a while, and then I thought, ‘How did this happen?’” she recounted.

The city explained that Doug should have converted his disability benefits to a regular retirement pension, but he failed to complete this crucial step.

Lack of Communication

Elizabeth feels that neither she nor Doug were adequately informed of the necessary procedures for securing his pension. “They never sent us anything and nobody notified him of it, so he just assumed it was already set. Their own people have said, ‘We basically dropped the ball with him,’” she expressed.

Acknowledgment but No Resolution

In a meeting of the Tamarac Pension Trust Fund Board, it was acknowledged that Doug was entitled to a normal retirement benefit. However, the board admitted that the process was not finalized, and there was no evidence that Doug had been given the opportunity to select a pension plan.

Despite historical inquiries about potential raises in his disability payments, no one mentioned the outstanding paperwork. “There was their opportunity right there to say, ‘Doug, you didn’t fill out your paperwork!,’” said Elizabeth.

Temporary Relief and Ongoing Struggles

The board ultimately granted Elizabeth a limited pension plan lasting ten years, with payments distributed over four years. Unfortunately, these payments ceased in 2022, leading to significant financial strain for Elizabeth. “They’ve had to see me like dwindle, you know, from an OK person to this person that’s just depleted,” she lamented.

Seeking Justice

In response to her situation, the Tamarac Pension Board and city officials have suggested that Elizabeth consider pursuing her case through the court. However, she faces overwhelming financial burdens making legal action impractical. “I’ve lost everything. I can’t, I couldn’t keep my house, I couldn’t keep my car. I can barely keep anything, you know. I mean, I’m really struggling,” she shared.