Hears retiree record case

The Nevada Supreme Court on Wednesday heard oral arguments in a high-profile public records case that could determine whether the state is required to disclose the retirement benefits of state employees.

The hearing was the final step before the high court issues a decision, expected in no sooner than two months

The Nevada Policy Research Institute in 2015 filed a public records request for retiree names, salaries, dates of retirement, years of service and cost-of-living increases.

The group’s transparency director, Robert Fellner, argues the public is entitled to see information related to the benefits of an estimated 57,000 members of the Public Employees Retirement System of Nevada.

“The justices seemed to recognize that not providing the retirees’ names undermines the spirit of the law,” Fellner said.

But the state retirement system’s attorney, Chris Nielsen, said the agency is responsible for safeguarding retirees’ personal information.

“The privacy rights of PERS’ retirees, especially given their ages, outweighs the rights of full transparency given the increasing amount of identify theft and cybercrimes being committed today,” Nielsen said.

Contact Ramona Giwargis at rgiwargis@reviewjournal. com or 702-380-4538. Follow @ Ramonagiwargis on Twitter.