Opinion ID: 1223410
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 7

Heading: Reliance And Estoppel

Text: When former Judge Quillian relied on the law, we held that the State was estopped to deny his benefits. Quillian v. Employees' Retirement System of Ga., 259 Ga. 253 (379 SE2d 515) (1989). This Court respected his expectation interest and we should likewise respect the expectation interest of these retirees. In comparing the facts of the Quillian case to the facts before us today, we find that Judge Quillian was informed by the Employees' Retirement System, while he was still employed with the State, that he had the requisite time in for full retirement benefits. Based upon this assurance he retired. Some months later he was notified that the Employees' Retirement System had reevaluated his retirement time and he did not have the requisite 34 years for full retirement, and his retirement benefits were reduced. This Court, in reversing a trial court's holding favorable to the Employees' Retirement System, on the basis of estoppel, stated in Quillian at 254: 4. (a) All parties to this case acknowledge that Judge Quillian did everything within his power to ascertain his retirement benefits prior to the time that he submitted his resignation; that the retirement system calculated his benefits; that he relied expressly upon this calculation; that he so stated in his letter of resignation to the governor; that the resignation was accepted by the governor; that the calculated benefits were paid to him for a period of time after his retirement; and that his act of retirement was final and irreversible. (Fn. omitted.) This Court held that the Employees' Retirement system could be estopped because the act was within its powers and it was required by right and justice. Id. at 255. No one disputes that the retirees met the standard set out in Division 4 (a) of the Quillian opinion. (See above.) In deciding former Judge Quillian's case we held that right and justice required the State to be estopped. These retirees are entitled to the same right and justice.