Mapp sought report from GERS on unpaid retiree bonuses

Gov. Kenneth Mapp said on Sept. 6, 2018, that the Government Employees Retirement System owed retirees millions of dollars in unpaid bonuses and asked GERS Administrator Austin Nibbs for a report on the last bonus payments made under Virgin Islands law.

In a letter, Mapp said Title 3 of the Virgin Islands Code requires the Lottery Commission to transfer money annually to GERS for retiree bonus payments by Nov. 30 each year. He said the Lottery Commission had transferred more than $3.9 million to GERS since fiscal year 2015.

Mapp asked GERS to account for the status of the money if bonus payments had not been made as required by law.

He also said the Lottery Commission was behind on some payments to GERS and that he had instructed Lottery Executive Director Juan Figueroa Sr. to develop a plan to pay the outstanding balance.

Legislation approved in 2009 granted retirees an annual bonus payment to help offset rising living costs.

Official source: https://www.vi.gov/governor-demands-accountability-from-gers-pay-retirees-their-bonuses/