Employees' Retirement System Board of Control v. Givhan

# Court Ruling Summary: Employees' Retirement System Board of Control v. Givhan **What Happened** An employee dispute arose over retirement benefits from Alabama's Employees' Retirement System. The employee had not chosen a specific retirement benefit option before retiring. After her death, her executor claimed she was entitled to different benefits based on her alleged incapacity at the time of retirement. **What the Court Decided** The appellate court ruled against the executor and sided with the retirement system. The court determined that because the employee failed to select a retirement benefit option before retiring, she automatically received only the basic retirement allowance, which ended at her death. The court would not allow the executor to claim different benefits after the fact based on the employee's later incapacity. **Why This Matters for Workers** This case emphasizes that retirement benefit elections are time-sensitive and important. Workers must actively choose their retirement options before retiring according to their plan's rules. Once the deadline passes, you cannot change your election or claim different benefits later, even if circumstances change. Workers should carefully review retirement benefit choices and deadlines with their employers or plan administrators before retiring.