Author: Parisa Ijadi-Maghsoodi, Project Director of the Western States Pension Assistance Project,Managing Attorney of Legal Services of Northern California’s Senior Legal Hotline

Like many retirees and widows, Margaret has been relying on a fixed income. Suddenly, she receives a letter from the pension company stating that her monthly pension of $800 was an error and will be reduced to pay back a $4,000 overpayment. The pension is Margaret’s only income and already doesn’t cover basic living expenses.…