Westchester couple turns to 7 On Your Side to help retrieve retirement funds from New York State

WESTCHESTER COUNTY (WABC) -- When you leave a job, don't forget to take your 401K with you.

A Westchester couple had to put their retirement plans on pause when a state employee couldn't roll over her retirement for over a year.

Camille Meola was a special events coordinator at the Crawford Mansion in Rye.

She retired from the historic state venue 3 years ago and left behind her 401K in the New York State and local retirement system fund.

Last year she tried to roll over the funds into a new account.

She applied online last August with an electronic signature but got rejected.

So she signed in ink on paper and resubmitted, but only to be rejected again.

Meola had sent a hard copy of her original Social Security card but then got a confusing letter.

"They said we've received your application but its been rejected because we haven't received your application," Meola said.

The couple who raised a blended family wanted to retire and start crossing off bucket list trips.

After being denied her rollover request the third time, Meola's husband suggested reaching out to 7 On Your Side.

7 On Your Side contacted the New York State and local retirement system to responded with, "We understand Ms. Meola's frustration. The original withdrawal application could not be processed because it included an incorrect Social Security number. For security reasons, NYSLRS had to take additional steps to verify her identity before proceeding."

A spokesperson left Meola a message and the very next pension payment cycle the money was released.

"Basically, what took me 10 months you did in 6 weeks," Meola said.

Her retirement finally rolled over the day her newly published book launched on Amazon.

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