Barry v. University of Alaska

OPINION

MATTHEWS, Justice.

I. INTRODUCTION

The question presented is whether a pre-retirement release bars an employee’s claim for a later breach of an employer’s promise to recognize that the employee had twenty years of allowable service. We answer this question in the negative because a release cannot govern the enforceability of a promise to be performed after the release.

II. FACTS AND PROCEEDINGS

When his retirement pay fell short of the amount he expected, Douglas Barry sued both the University of Alaska and the Teachers’ Retirement System. We are concerned on appeal only with his claim…