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Allegheny County Council

Council asks to sit in on the court fight over its $1.5 billion-short pension fund đź”—.

Written by Amy Whipple

The governor and the general assembly are now on deck to potentially intervene to right the county employees’ sinking pension fund.

During the Sept. 22 meeting, council approved filing a request to allow its solicitor, Frederick Frank, to represent council as a neutral third party in Commonwealth v. Retirement Board of Allegheny County and Allegheny County. The case will likely determine the next steps for filling the nearly $1.5 billion hole in the pension fund. 

“There is absolutely no doubt that it will require a substantial number of years to bring the retirement fund back to actuarial soundness,” says an opinion issued by the Allegheny Court of Common Pleas on Sept. 3. “It will likely be necessary for the General Assembly and the governor to intervene and give the County additional mechanisms to fund its employees’ retirements.”

Council President Michelle Naccarati-Chapkis of Plum said council’s responsibility for passing the annual budget and issuing bonds necessitates a seat at the table.

“We see no value in putting the council in the position of having to rely upon secondhand information,” she said. “We therefore want to make sure that our solicitor…is able to participate directly in the court’s hearings and is copied on all notices, filings, orders and opinions.” 

According to Frank, there will be a hearing for the court to decide on council’s request.

Connections to this story

Elected officials:
Michelle Naccarati-Chapkis
Governments:
Allegheny County Council
Public meetings:
County Council · September 22, 2026

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