Prichard retirees faced uncertainty over their pension checks in October 2009 after the city responded to a lawsuit by arguing that the statute creating its pension plan was unconstitutional.
The lawsuit had been filed in August on behalf of more than 50 retired workers. In its court response, the city challenged the 1956 statute that established the plan.
Retirees awaited answers
Attorney Robert Hedge, representing the retirees, said he viewed the response as an effort to avoid making pension payments. He also contended that the city had mismanaged the fund by failing to follow a 2000 federal order that he said required money to be set aside for it.
A city spokesperson would not say whether or when retirees could expect a pension check that month. The report described workers trying to meet expenses as the dispute continued.
Early stage of a legal dispute
Attorneys for both sides expected to meet in the following weeks, but no meeting date had been set when the report was published. The account reflects claims and positions in an ongoing 2009 court matter, not a final legal ruling.