Long-Running Saga Coming to End

The final payments, from the remaining $78 million in the settlement fund, end a saga that started with a lawsuit filed by the National Treasury Employees Union and that bounced through the federal courts for two decades before finally reaching the settlement. Many individuals kept a vigil on the suit even though there were long stretches in which there were no new developments. Despite the length of time the suit was pending—or perhaps because of it—several common misconceptions arose regarding it. The case involves only those who had special rate raises improperly capped or denied in the 1982-1988 period and in many cases the amount due came out to be far less than the individuals were hoping for. The deadlines for filing claims have passed, and no exceptions are allowed.