State & Local Employee Benefit Claims

ERISA does not cover plans established or maintained by the U.S. Government, any
state or political subdivision thereof such as the City of Philadelphia’s Retirement Code.
Such plans are exempt from ERISA but are subject to some Internal Revenue Code
requirements as well as state and local agency laws.

Nor does ERISA govern plans established and maintained by churches, including
religiously affiliated universities and hospitals, for their employees, or plans which are
maintained solely to comply with applicable workers compensation, unemployment, or
disability laws. Unlike governmental plans, church plans can opt into ERISA’s protections.

Berman Legal provides skilled representation to state and local government employees in disputes related to their employment benefits. These claims often involve pension and retirement benefit issues, which may arise under municipal and state laws. We are well-versed in navigating the complexities of governmental benefit programs, ensuring that employees and retirees receive what they have earned.

Our practice extends to addressing issues such as:

• Denial of pension benefits
• Mismanagement of retirement funds
• Improper calculations of benefits

With a comprehensive understanding of state and local regulations, we advocate tirelessly to uphold the rights of public sector employees and retirees, providing them with the guidance and legal expertise they need to resolve their claims.