Retired officers press council for information on closed police pension plan; staff to follow up

Kenny Wilder, a retired North Little Rock police officer, addressed the City Council during public comment seeking answers about a closed city police pension plan for long-term retirees.

Wilder told the council the plan has provided only small, one-time supplements in recent years and that roughly 50 officers may receive payments from the closed plan. He asked where the plan’s funds come from, whether the city can run out of money for it, whether the older plan could be merged into the current LAFTR A-type plan and whether beneficiaries could receive a consistent cost-of-living adjustment.

Council members and staff replied that the plan is a closed contract distinct from the retirement plan covering current officers and that there is no automatic contractual right to increased payments; a council member told Wilder that the council could consider sponsoring an increase if members chose to do so and if funds were available. A staff member offered to have the finance office review Wilder’s questions and follow up. The staff response included: "This is a closed retirement plan... certain members chose to stay on the pension plan. The city council can pretty much do whatever it wants. So I would individually contact city council members requesting them for an increase." Wilder said he would continue to pursue the matter.

The council did not take action on the matter at the meeting; staff committed to have finance staff follow up directly with Wilder.