Court: Md. County Pension System Discriminated

A federal appeals court has ruled that a Maryland county's pension system discriminated against older workers by charging them higher contribution rates than younger employees.

Monday's decision by a three-judge panel of the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond upheld a ruling by U.S. District Judge Benson Everett Legg.

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission sued Baltimore County in 2007 on behalf of two retired corrections officers, claiming the differing rates violated the Age Discrimination in Employment Act.

Legg initially ruled in favor of the county, but the appeals court reversed the decision and returned the case for reconsideration. The judge now must determine damages.

The county changed its pension system in 2007 so that newly hired workers contribute to the retirement system at a flat rate.