A judge rejected a request from the New Hampshire Retirement System on Thursday to immediately block implementation of part of a new pension overhaul law but has set an October hearing on the case, The Associated Press reports.
Merrimack Superior Court Judge Richard McNamara said he was not convinced irreparable harm would occur if more time was taken to resolve the dispute over part of the law dealing with setting employer contribution rates.
At issue is whether the Legislature or the system’s Board of Trustees controls the rates employers pay. The board voted last month to set new rates that will cost employers $50 million more each of the next two years than earlier rates used to build the state and local budgets. The Legislature voted to block the board’s action.
Earlier Thursday, McNamara heard arguments in another lawsuit over the new law. A coalition representing New Hampshire public employees asked McNamara to stop the state from charging workers more for their pensions.
