Lackawanna County pension board approves $3,082.18 reimbursement for duplicate pension deductions

At a Lackawanna County Pension Board meeting, the board approved reimbursing a county employee $3,082.18 after payroll deducted pension contributions twice across 2024 and 2025.

Board staff member Terry presented payroll printouts showing duplicate pension deductions for an employee identified only as Corey. Terry said the pension record shows $1,380.60 contributed for 2024 and $1,701.58 for 2025, but payroll printouts indicate those amounts were withheld twice for each year. “It's been rectified, and the total is $3,082.18, which would have to be transferred back from our pension account into our payroll account so that he was given a gross adjustment,” Terry said.

A board member asked whether the repayment would be taxable. A board member noted, “When they pay him back, that's gonna be taxable income to him.” Terry confirmed the repayment will be processed through payroll so the employee’s W-2 reflects the earned income adjustment.

Because the money involved is pension money, the board approved the transfer rather than staff handling it internally. A motion to authorize the transfer and process the repayment through payroll passed on an aye vote; the record shows the motion was seconded and approved during the meeting.

The board did not identify the motion mover or seconder in the public transcript. Details provided in the meeting record instruct staff to transfer the $3,082.18 from the pension account to payroll for a gross payroll adjustment so the repayment is reflected as earned income on the employee’s W-2.

The board moved on after the vote; no further action on this matter was recorded.