pension and welfare

City can avoided predicted ruin through reforms to retiree benefits, taxes and services

A Baltimore County police union is suing the county retirement system's board of trustees over a $25 million loan the county took from the employee retirement system to upgrade recycling facilities, alleging a breach of duty.

A report by a consultant hired by Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake's administration paints a dire picture of future city finances — opening the door for Baltimore officials to propose widespread cuts, including to city employees' health and pension benefits.

A new report shows that Baltimore's finances aren't in crisis right now, but they will be within the decade if the mayor and City Council don't take strong action soon.

By resigning ahead of a vote to remove him, former Anne Arundel County Executive John R. Leopold may hold onto his county pension, officials said.

Unsecured creditors in the RG Steel bankruptcy case withdrew Friday their request to sue the company's billionaire founder.

The federal Pension Benefit Guaranty Corp. is suing the Renco Group — parent of bankrupt RG Steel — for $97 million for allegedly "attempting to evade" the steelmaker's pension obligations.

Republicans in the House of Delegates outlined a series of proposals Tuesday that they contend will shore up the state employees pension system while cutting the risk that taxpayers will be left on the hook for losses.

Replacing our inaccurate measure of inflation would produce budget savings and more tax revenue.

Bankrupt RG Steel's unsecured creditors are seeking permission to go after Ira Rennert — the billionaire whose company created RG to buy Sparrows Point — for allegedly worsening the steel mill owner's situation for his own benefit.

Towson-area legislators will be tackling issues both fresh and familiar during the 2013 legislative session, which begins on Wednesday, Jan. 9 in Annapolis.

The media love to cast the Hostess bankruptcy as another story about greedy unions, but the truth is quite different.

Do Congress and the president have the will to fix the broken pension system?

The CEOs behind the Fix the Debt campaign typically have massive private pensions that they don't afford to their own workers.

Might a private equity firm's decision to divest from gun manufacturing signal a new concern for ethics? Bah, humbug!

Contrary to what the state pension chief says, the system's shortfall is huge and places a tremendous burden on taxpayers.

Cal Thomas says the West could learn from a thriving Asian nation's work ethic

On many of the issues, including but not limited to teacher salaries, they will have the same advantage in presenting their case as members of vocal communities who have secured backing for school construction issues. In short, they're the squeaky wheels.

Maryland's state pension director says columnist Marta Mossburg uses unrealistic assumptions about the system's viability and ignores the effect of recent reforms.

The state's teachers are in "over their heads" and should be compensated at a higher level, says the Maryland State Education Association president.

Retiree program is not behind our debt problem — and is more needed than ever

My contention is not that public employers should not address these concerns; it is that the comments completely disregarded the progress that Harford County has made on this front.

Life a century ago may have been Obamacare-less but it was no utopia

A court ruling that struck down a key provision of Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake's overhaul of the fire and police pension system will not dismantle the entire law, a federal judge ruled Friday.

Baltimore County sold $256 million in pension obligation bonds this week to fund its retirement system, and officials say the borrowing will cost less than initially expected.

The federal Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation says it is taking control of two RG Steel pension plans.

A pair of reports critical of military spending, from health care costs to Pentagon-ordered beef jerky production, are part of the latest round of scrutiny of the Defense Department's budget as the fiscal cliff approaches.

That's likely to change this year, however, as a 4 percent across the board increase is proposed, retroactive to July 1, for all county employees in the budget presented to the county council by County Executive David R. Craig.

Nostalgia for Hostess' iconic snacks and Wonder breads drove consumers to the outlet on Furnace Branch Road and area grocers Friday to buy Hostess products by the bag load.

Baltimore County has asked a judge to delay proceedings in a federal case involving age discrimination in its retirement system, saying that determining damages could be a "lengthy, costly and complex" process that requires the review of 10,000 pension files, according to federal court filings.

You might not have received your open enrollment package just yet, but likely know what to expect: Higher premiums. More out-of-pocket costs. Enticements to participate in wellness programs.

The case of Sheila Dixon — and, sadly, several others — demonstrate the need for a constitutional amendment to force corrupt politicians from office.

Baltimore County officials say thousands of workers could be forced to contribute more to their pensions after a federal judge ruled that the county retirement system discriminates against beneficiaries based on age.

A federal judge has ruled that Baltimore County's pension system discriminates against beneficiaries based on age because older workers were required to pay more toward their retirement than younger workers.

Western European democracies aren't as liberal as American lefties think — or conservatives fear.

Baltimore County's pension problem

Baltimore County's reckless pension policy

Uber entering Baltimore

Baltimore County should not gamble its pension on borrowed money

Pension bonds are a bad deal for Baltimore County

Baltimore County will borrow up to $260 million for its pension system and pay off the debt over the next 30 years, under legislation approved Monday by the County Council.

Baltimore County officials say they can close a gap in pension funding while saving taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars. But their strategy is one that carries considerable risk, experts say.

It will be just the latest example of taxpayers helping increase the profitability of already profitable business interests.