A Baltimore circuit judge has ruled that city officials broke their contract with many police officers, firefighters and retirees in 2010 by cutting a key pension provision that has cost retirees millions in pension benefits. Judge Julie R. Rubin ruled Tuesday that former Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake's overhaul of pension benefits "unlawfully withdrew" a variable pension benefit that paid out more money to retirees when the stock market improved. The partial ruling in favor of the police and fire unions -- who have battled the city in court for years -- was hailed by retirees. "The city breached its contract," she wrote in an opinion that handed several victories to the unions and others to the city.