NEW: City Retirement Board Rescinds Former Fire Chief's Disability Pension

NEW: City Retirement Board Rescinds Former Fire Chief's Disability Pension

The Providence Retirement Board today voted to rescind the disability pension awarded to former Fire Chief George S. Farrell.

The 56 year old Farrell is suffering from leukemia and was granted his accidental=disability pension by the city earlier this month. Accidental-disability pensions are tax free.

A statement issued by city spokesman David Ortiz said Mayor Angel Taveras and City Council President Michael Solomon support the Board’s decision. .

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“Mayor Angel Taveras and City Council President Michael Solomon support today’s decision by the Retirement Board. The Mayor and the Council President believe that pension reform must occur this year – including reforms of the disability pension system at issue in this case – and are working closely to address this challenge. The $2.3 billion unfunded liability in Providence’s retirement system is a danger to the City's future and is among the most significant challenges we face in our efforts to put the capital city back on firm financial footing.”