WILLIAMSPORT -- Lock Haven University is accused of forcing out older employees to avoid paying the retirement benefits they would receive at age 60.

That allegation and a claim of age discrimination are contained in a complaint filed Monday in U.S. Middle District Court by Pattiann Merrifield who seeks to have her suit made a class action.

Defendants are the university and Deana Hill, associate vice president of human resources.

The university does not comment on pending litigation, spokeswoman Elizabeth J. Arnold said Tuesday.

Merrifield, of Mill Hall, claims she was given the option of early retirement and when she refused, was fired on Jan. 20, 2016, and replaced by a 34-year-old. She had been a clerk since October 2006.

She contends the university fired her at age 58 to avoid paying the retirement benefits she would have received at 60.

Her court complaint cites a statement from the State Employees' Retirement System that her estimated retirement benefits as of Dec. 31, 2015, would be $60,214 but if she remained employed until age 60, they would be $89,604.

Merrifield claims when Hill provided her a letter stating the office of human resources had received notification her employment with the university will end Jan. 20, 2016, she responded she did not want to retire.

She said she received a second letter the next day stating she was being terminated for performance reasons, citing a written reprimand she had received Dec. 7, 2015.

Merrifield claims that reprimand stated a 60-day performance improvement plan wOULD be established for her and her next formal review would be Feb. 1, 2016.

Through the efforts of her labor union, Merrifield's official file subsequently was changed from termination to resignation.

In support of her claim that Hill has made a practice of forcing out older employees out, she included with her suit affidavits from former university public relations director Scott Eldredge and Carol A. Latronica, former dean of student development, who claim they were treated similarly.

Eldredge says he was terminated at age 51 and replaced by a 24-year-old. Latronica contends she was "forced out" the day after her 57th birthday after 26 years of employment.

Merrifield is seeking more than $150,000 to cover lost pay and lost benefits, and compensatory and punitive damages.

She also wants to be reinstated, seniority restored, information regarding her termination/retirement removed from her record and a court order requiring Lock Haven to adopt, enforce and post on its employment website a non-discriminatory policy on the basis of age.