Dr. Mahmood Ghassemi, a retired infectious diseases expert from the University of Illinois Chicago, found himself thrust back into the frontlines of public health as COVID-19 swept across the globe in 2020.
Having enjoyed a semi-retirement after nearly three decades in academia, Ghassemi answered the urgent call from health authorities seeking experienced professionals to assist in combating the pandemic.
Initially, he stepped in to oversee a laboratory that was processing thousands of COVID-19 samples for clinical trials involving drugs and vaccines.
In the early months of the pandemic, Ghassemi dedicated himself to this mission, working seven days a week as the world grappled with the spread of the virus and the urgent need for effective treatments and vaccines.
However, his commitment has now put him at odds with the State Universities Retirement System (SURS), which has accused him of double-dipping and is demanding he repay over $80,000.
According to Ghassemi, the predicament stems from a misunderstanding about his compensation while he assisted with the pandemic response.
The researcher who recruited him, Dr. Richard Novak, expressed dismay at the situation.
“He’s really getting the shaft. They got it wrong,” Novak remarked about Ghassemi’s predicament.
Ghassemi, now 69, first crossed paths with Novak in 1990 as a student before becoming his colleague for almost three decades at UIC.
Ghassemi opted for early retirement in 2016 but continued part-time work at the university, allowing him to assist a colleague in launching a private business while maintaining his pension.
As long as his compensation remained capped at 70% of his previous full-time salary—about $113,000—Ghassemi believed his pension, which amounts to roughly $7,100 a month, would remain secure.
However, the onset of the pandemic quickly altered this dynamic.
In March 2020, Governor JB Pritzker made a public appeal for retired healthcare workers to return to service, emphasizing the critical need for reinforcements in the battle against COVID-19.
“This is hero’s work. And all of you have our deepest gratitude for your willingness to serve,” Pritzker declared during one of his televised briefings.
Heeding the call, Ghassemi engaged with Novak, who was tasked by the National Institutes of Health to coordinate clinical trials on groundbreaking treatments and vaccines.
As the staff of the lab expanded from three to 30, Ghassemi played a pivotal role in processing samples and managing the increased workload during an unprecedented public health crisis.
The lab operated under challenging conditions, with staff donning masks and gloves as they worked tirelessly to contribute to the fight against COVID-19.
Ghassemi’s lab operated under financial configurations that changed over time, leading to increased uncertainty regarding his compensation and pension status.
Early on, Ghassemi worked at reduced pay until he and Novak received reassurance from UIC officials that full-time compensation funded by state or federal grants would not jeopardize his pension benefits.
While Ghassemi recalled initial uncertainty following conversations with SURS counselors, he asserted that subsequent discussions provided him clarity that his pension would remain unaffected.
However, the situation took a dramatic turn in 2022 when Ghassemi received a letter from SURS indicating that it had determined he earned more than permissible while simultaneously collecting his pension.
The agency’s demand for repayment of over $80,000 alongside interest left Ghassemi feeling shocked and frightened by the implications.
“At that moment, I realized the significant financial burden that could arise from my return to service during a global pandemic,” Ghassemi recounted.
Currently, he is engaged in an administrative hearing with the SURS board of trustees, navigating a complex and drawn-out process that may ultimately lead to court proceedings.
Ghassemi’s attorney, Daniel Glinert, emphasized that Ghassemi returned to work in a time of crisis, prioritizing public health at the risk of his financial stability.
“He went back into the fire at a financial detriment to himself, with the explicit blessing of UIC and no denial at all from SURS,” Glinert stated.
Meanwhile, SURS has declined to provide specific comments about Ghassemi’s case, stating that it does not discuss individual benefit claims.
SURS contends that the provisions within Illinois’ pension code which protect grant-funded compensation do not apply to Ghassemi’s case, further complicating the matter.
The contradictory nature of the state laws and how they are applied has raised concerns about the legal protection for workers in scenarios like Ghassemi’s.
This predicament has broader implications for the retirement community, as there are fears it might deter other retirees from stepping in during future public health crises.
Dr. Novak articulated these concerns, noting how Ghassemi’s situation may discourage future retired healthcare professionals from coming forward.
“People would be hesitant to come out of retirement and be left holding the bag,” Novak observed, emphasizing that Ghassemi shouldn’t bear the brunt of what may be an institutional oversight.
The ongoing battle not only threatens Ghassemi’s financial stability but raises pressing questions about the treatment of retired professionals who willingly reengage in service during critical periods.
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