Strickland v. City of Albany

Carley, Justice.

Carol Strickland is the widow of Howard Yelverton. Mr. Yelverton had been employed for 23 years as a policeman by the City of Albany (City) when he died from cancer. Although Mr. Yelverton was not retired at the time of his death, a City ordinance provided that Ms. Strickland, as his widow, was entitled to receive benefits until her own death or remarriage. Had Mr. Yelverton lived until retirement, however, another ordinance provided that he could have elected a joint and survivor annuity which would pay him a lesser pension but, upon his death, would continue to pay benefits…