By Tom Weber, KWMU
St. Louis, MO – The Missouri Supreme Court will hear arguments today that could force the City of St. Louis to put more money into its pension systems for police and firefighters.
The two pension systems sued after they say the city didn't put enough money a few budgets ago. "Even though everybody knows the city and pension systems has financial difficulties, you just have to make sure that the pensions are fully funded," said Jim Owen, a lawyer for the police pension system, in an interview. "You cannot, under state law, allow pensions not to have the full amount of money."
A lawyer for the city, Jay Summerville, declined a chance to comment on tape, but noted in court papers a handful of reasons why the city should have discretion in how much it budgets for pensions. The city also questions the constitutionality of the requirement that it fund pensions at a certain level.
The matter has no bearing on any current benefits being paid.