How did a dead woman’s pension keep paying for 20 years? Costa Rica man accused of collecting $800,000 from California teacher’s retirement fund

Costa Rican prosecutors are investigating a man accused of collecting roughly $800,000 in pension payments belonging to a North American woman who died more than two decades ago, according to authorities.

The man, identified only by his last name, Abarca, allegedly continued accessing the woman’s pension payments for years after her death by submitting documents that investigators believe falsely represented his legal authority to handle her affairs.

The case involves allegations of fraud, false documentation and providing false information in official records. Authorities have not established Abarca’s guilt in court, and he remains presumed innocent unless convicted.


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Woman moved into Costa Rica care home in 1999

According to the investigation, the woman, identified by the last name Collins, was a North American citizen who moved into a home for older adults in La Uruca, San José, in 1999.

Collins was 78 when she died in 2005, after spending several years at the care facility. Prosecutors believe Abarca, who managed the home, was involved in arrangements following her death.

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Authorities alleged that Collins was buried at a cemetery in Cartago. The following year, investigators say, Abarca submitted documents to the California State Teachers’ Retirement System, the pension system responsible for retirement benefits for California public school educators.

The documents allegedly gave the impression that Abarca had legal authority to manage Collins’ affairs, despite the fact that she had already died.

Alleged pension scheme continued for years

Investigators believe the documents allowed Abarca to obtain a bank card connected to Collins’ pension account. That allegedly gave him continued access to pension payments that should no longer have been collected on Collins’ behalf.

Prosecutors estimate that at least $800,000 was withdrawn between 2006 and 2026. The unusually long period is a key part of the investigation. Authorities believe the alleged withdrawals continued for roughly two decades before the pension system attempted to verify Collins’ status.

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The case highlights how a pension account can potentially remain active for years if a death is not properly detected or communicated between institutions in different countries.

California pension system raised questions about Collins

The alleged scheme reportedly came to light when the California retirement system attempted to determine whether Collins was still alive.

As part of that process, the organization contacted the United States Embassy in Costa Rica. The embassy subsequently confirmed that Collins had died in 2005.

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That information raised questions about why pension payments had continued and who had been accessing the money in the years following her death.

Investigators then began examining the documents allegedly submitted by Abarca and the circumstances surrounding Collins’ death and burial.

Costa Rican authorities search Abarca’s home

Costa Rican authorities later searched Abarca’s residence as part of the investigation. Prosecutors are examining allegations involving fraud, the use of false documents and false information in official paperwork.

Investigators are also looking into how Abarca allegedly obtained the authority and banking access needed to continue receiving or withdrawing the pension money.

The investigation remains ongoing, and prosecutors have not publicly established that all of the suspected funds were taken by Abarca or determined what happened to the money.

Court imposes restrictions on suspect

A court has ordered Abarca to comply with several conditions while prosecutors continue their investigation.

He has reportedly been required to report regularly to judicial authorities, maintain a permanent address and remain in Costa Rica.

Those restrictions have reportedly been in effect since July 25.

The measures do not represent a criminal conviction. They are conditions imposed while authorities investigate the allegations and determine whether the evidence supports further legal action.

Questions remain over the $800,000

One of the major unanswered questions is whether any of the estimated $800,000 has been recovered.

Prosecutors have not said whether the money has been located or whether the California pension system has formally requested repayment.

Authorities also have not indicated what portion of the pension payments may have been spent, transferred or otherwise handled during the alleged period.

The investigation could therefore continue to focus not only on the alleged false documents but also on the movement of pension funds over the years.

Investigation continues in Costa Rica

The case involving Collins’ pension is now being investigated by Costa Rican authorities, with the alleged activity stretching from 2006 through 2026.

The investigation centers on whether Abarca knowingly used false documentation to gain control over Collins’ pension after her death and whether he continued withdrawing the benefits for nearly 20 years.

For now, the allegations remain unproven. Abarca must be considered innocent unless and until a court finds him guilty. Prosecutors will continue examining the evidence, financial records and documents connected to Collins’ pension and estate as the case moves forward.