Jerry Sandusky could keep his Penn State pension

(CBS/AP) HARRISBURG, Pa. - Pennsylvania's public employee pension system says it won't be able to say if Jerry Sandusky will lose his retirement benefits until after he's sentenced, a proceeding expected in about three months.

Sandusky's $59,000 per year state pension is still being paid out, even after being convicted on 45 criminal counts for sexually abusing 10 boys, reports CBS affiliate KYW in Philadelphia. As he sits in the Centre County prison now, Sandusky is currently collecting monthly pension checks totaling $4,908.17.

A spokeswoman for the State Employees' Retirement System said Wednesday the agency doesn't speculate about potential future actions under the Public Employee Pension Forfeiture Act, but did say the pension board would fully review Sandusky's case once he is sentenced.

Offenses that trigger forfeiture are generally along the lines of theft, obstruction and perjury. A pension system document says forfeiture can also occur when a school employee commits certain sex offenses against a student.

The Patriot-News of Harrisburg reported in November that Sandusky also collected a $148,000 lump sum payment when he retired from the university in 1999.