EEOC Settles Age Discrimination Case With University of Puerto Rico

The University of Puerto Rico has agreed to settle a class age discrimination lawsuit brought by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission ("EEOC"), according to a press release issued by the EEOC on February 2, 2010. The EEOC had alleged that the University discriminated against public employees age 55 and older by not allowing them to obtain pension credit because of their age. The EEOC’s suit, filed in federal court in Puerto Rico alleged that prior to 2001, the University did not allow older employees to become members of pension systems. The lawsuit also alleged that, in 2001, the University changed its rules to allow older employees to become members, but required that employees age 55 and older pay, in addition to the employee’s contribution to the retirement system, the University's contribution as well.