WPRO News
The pension reform saga inched closer to completion as Judge Sarah Taft-Carter began a fairness hearing to determine the cost of a settlement.
Taft-Carter opened the floor to actuaries and other experts to review the impact dollar-wise of a settlement. The preliminary settlement approved by Taft Carter in April covers the 59,000 current and retired state employees.
Both attorneys representing the state and plaintiffs agreed the terms of the settlement are fair and adequate.
“The settlement to be sure does not achieve the complete relief sought by the plaintiffs,” said pensioners attorney Lynette Labinger “But it does provide real and concrete benefits tot he plaintiff class; benefits which are certain, predictable, and immediate.”
However, the hearing won’t entirely consist of expert testimony; according to Taft-Carter at 69 people have asked to speak with her before the deal is done.
The trial is expected to last at five days.
