Examiner

Attorneys for Baltimore County will head to federal court Tuesday to defend its pension system against an age discrimination lawsuit filed by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

The suit, which claims the county illegally forces employees older than 40 to make higher pension contributions than younger employees, was filed in September 2007 against the county and six labor organizations.

If forced to pay back wages to affected employees, the suit could cost the county more than $19 million, according to court records.