Baltimore mayor to introduce pension reform bill

BALTIMORE (AP) -- Baltimore city employees will contribute to their pension plans under a reform bill proposed by the mayor.

Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake is proposing that city employees contribute 5 percent of their salaries toward their pension, phasing in the payment over five years. The mayor's office says salaries will also increase 10 percent over the same period

The reform is part of a plan to eliminate a $750 million budget shortfall and cut property taxes.

The mayor's office says the city's pension system for civilian employees is the only large system in the state that doesn't require employee contribution. Rawlings-Blake says city pension costs have nearly doubled since 2004 and are projected to grow another 40 percent by 2022. The pension reforms are expected to save $53 million over nine years.