Justices on the Arizona Supreme Court on June 4 wanted a clear definition of a benefit to help them decide whether the Legislature’s 2011 cut in annual cost-of living-increases for state retirees is constitutional.

The Arizona Supreme Court is set to hear arguments June 4 in a case that will determine the financial future of Arizona’s employee pensions. Whatever the Supreme Court decides in Fields v. Elected Officials Retirement Plan will also settle two other lawsuits sparked by SB1609, a 2011 law that overhauled state pensions, and determine whether retirees will continue to receive generous cost-of-living increases.