Hearing delayed in latest New Jersey pension lawsuit

A judge has delayed the latest court arguments over whether Gov. Chris Christie’s administration has to contribute more toward pensions for New Jersey public workers.

Judge Mary Jacobson says in an order she posted Monday that she is waiting to hear from the state Supreme Court on a related case.

Jacobson is considering whether the state must contribute more next year.

She had previously ordered the governor and Legislature to add funding for the current fiscal year. The Supreme Court is considering Christie’s appeal of that ruling.

Workers contend that the state has a contractual obligation to put more in because of a 2011 law that overhauled the pension system.

But Christie says the state cannot afford the payments. Last week, a lawyer for the state described that law as “aspirational.”