Deceased Archives - DR News - News, Retirement, Finance

Kansas Couple Charged with Fraudulently Collecting Deceased Relative’s Retirement Benefits and Hiding Body in Home for 6+ Years

OVERLAND PARK, Kansas – A Kansas couple is facing charges for allegedly collecting over $216,000 in retirement benefits from a deceased relative while concealing his body in their home for more than six years. Lynn and Kirk Ritter, both 61, are accused of fraudulently cashing in on Michael Carroll’s pension and Social Security benefits, according to federal prosecutors. Carroll, a retired telecommunications employee, had been receiving retirement benefits since 2008, even though his pacemaker indicated …

Pensions: Retired Teacher’s Payments Halted 4 Times After Being Mistaken for Deceased

London, United Kingdom – A retired teacher, Eileen McGrath, 85, has faced the distressing ordeal of having her pension payments halted four times because her pension provider repeatedly refused to accept that she is alive. Her pension provider, Teachers’ Pensions, which administers payments on behalf of the UK government, wrongly matched her with a deceased stranger, leaving her without income over Christmas. McGrath expressed her frustration, stating that she had received letters asking if she …

Survivor’s Benefits: Claiming Social Security Payments for Spouses and Dependents of Deceased Workers

Chicago, IL – The Social Security Administration (SSA) provides crucial support to the spouses and dependents of deceased workers, with approximately 11 percent of the agency’s payments directed towards this demographic. When a person who is eligible to receive Social Security benefits passes away, the law stipulates that their family can claim these benefits. Survivors are advised to act promptly in applying for survivor’s benefits, as many payments are not retroactive. Qualifying widows/widowers can receive …

Pension watchdog agency under fire for $127 million in payments to deceased participants

Raleigh, North Carolina – A recent investigation into the handling of pension funds by the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) has revealed alarming findings. The probe uncovered that a substantial amount of money, totaling $127 million, was mistakenly paid out to at least 3,479 deceased participants in the Central States Pension Fund. This revelation has sparked outrage and raised questions about the oversight and management of these vital funds. The improper payments were flagged by …

Social Security Scam: Freeport Woman Charged in $48K Theft from Deceased Grandmother’s Account

Hempstead, New York – A Freeport woman, Alexandria Sobrane, 46, has been charged by Nassau County prosecutors for allegedly embezzling over $48,000 in Social Security benefits from her deceased grandmother’s account. The incident involved cashing checks meant for her grandmother, Hannah Sobrane, who passed away in 2008 after receiving benefits under the pen name Babe Power. Prosecutors revealed that Alexandria continued to cash these checks at a local grocery store, amounting to the substantial sum …

Pennsylvania Man Sentenced to 5 Years for Stealing Deceased Father’s Social Security and Pension Benefits

Brodheadsville, Pennsylvania – A man from Brodheadsville, Pennsylvania has been sentenced to five years in prison after being accused of concealing his father’s death to fraudulently obtain his Social Security and pension benefits. 56-year-old Timothy Gritman pleaded guilty to wire fraud and Social Security fraud after an investigation revealed that he had unlawfully obtained $204,985 in benefits belonging to his deceased father. According to U.S. Attorney Jacqueline Romero, Gritman prioritized financial gain over his father’s …

Pension Theft: Nunda Woman Allegedly Embezzles $34,500 from Deceased Mother’s Payments

LIVINGSTON COUNTY, N.Y. – A Nunda woman has been charged with third-degree grand larceny after allegedly stealing over $34,500 of her deceased mother’s pension payments. Patricia Chatley, 59, is accused of continuing to collect her mother’s monthly benefits after her mother passed away in January 2020. The deceased, Janet Chatley, retired from the Livingston County Department of Social Services in 1994 and was receiving around $1,000 in monthly pension benefits. However, Patricia failed to report …