DENVER—Federal prosecutors have filed a complaint alleging United Airlines Inc. underpaid pension benefits to a pilot who was called away for military duty.
TenEyck LaTourrette of Aurora joined the Colorado Air National Guard in 2000.
Federal law says servicemembers’ pension benefits at their civilian jobs continue to accrue while they are on active duty.
Prosecutors allege that when United calculated what percentage of LaTourrette’s earnings to pay into his pension plan during his military service, it based his earnings off the monthly minimum of hours its pilots can work. Prosecutors say federal law required United to use the average monthly hours LaTourrette worked in the 12 months before his service, which was often above the minimum.
United said Tuesday it doesn’t comment on pending litigation.
