OhioHealth resolves pension dispute with family

OhioHealth has resolved its pension benefits dispute with the family of a hospital housekeeper who didn’t retire until shortly before her death last summer at age 88.

Although the payment amount isn’t being disclosed, both sides say the agreement honors the dedication, work ethic and memory of long-time Mansfield Hospital employee Geneva Hedrick.

The Dispatch reported this month on the Hedrick family’s battle to claim the benefits, which appeared to have been greatly reduced — the lumpsum offer went from $194,000 to $34,400 — in part because she worked so many years past her retirement age.

“Despite the complexities of this situation, we apologize for the confusion and delay that occurred. We are very grateful for Geneva’s loyalty, the pride she took in her work and her many years of service to Mansfield hospital,” Johnni Beckel, OhioHealth senior vice president and chief human resources officer, said in an emailed statement.

“Our associates are the heart of our health care mission and we will learn from this experience,” Beckel said.

Depending on how they are written, experts say, some pension plans can become stagnant or decline in value if workers don’t tap the funds before typical retirement age. Tax regulations, too, can affect the maximum amount a worker can receive at once in a lump sum.

Geneva Hedrick is survived by her husband, 87-year-old Ralph Hedrick, and their four children. Son Randy Hedrick said the family is especially pleased that OhioHealth has said it will work to make sure employees understand their benefit plans, including any ramifications of working past typical retirement milestones.

“We’re happy with the resolution, and doubly happy that they’re committed to educating employees,” Randy Hedrick said. “These plans are far too complicated, the language of them, for the average person to understand.”

Geneva Hedrick would have wanted any agreement on her behalf to have broader meaning, her family said.

“For us, it wasn’t just about Mom’s pension,” Randy Hedrick said. “It was about making sure that other people Mom cared about don’t have similar problems.”