Supreme Court: CA Pension Perks Can Be Taken Away

FRESNO, Calif. (KMJ) — The California Supreme Court has upheld former Gov. Jerry Brown’s rollback of a retirement benefit, that allowed public workers to pad their pensions.

At issue in the decision was a provision of a 2012 pension reform law, which eliminated the ability of public workers to pay for more years of service, for a more lucrative pension when they retire.

Attorneys for a union argued that the change violated a long line of California court rulings, that have made pension benefits for existing employees sacrosanct.

 

Brown’s office said the state legislature had broad authority to change pension benefits for existing employees, unless it clearly indicated it intended a benefit to continue.

However, justices have avoided ruling on the larger issue, of whether retirement benefits can ever be taken away once promised.

 


Aaron Abeytia

Aaron Abeytia anchors afternoon newscasts on News/Talk 580 & 105.9 KMJ. Read More…

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