Phil Matier: Public Sector Retirees At Center Of Pension Reform Debate
SACRAMENTO (KCBS) – The state legislature is expected to vote on Friday on public employee pension reform, with much of the debate again focusing on the perception that many public sector retirees are doing quite well for themselves.
Online pension databases show that more than 6,600 retired California State Teachers receive pensions in excess of $100,000 from CalSTRS, the California State Teachers' Retirement System. That includes James Enoch, a Modesto school administrator, who tops the list with a whopping $302,000. Several others on the list top $250,000.
KCBS, CBS 5 and Chronicle Insider Phil Matier:
The benefits are negotiated that way and it's not just administrators at schools and school districts across the state.
The list includes top pension earners across the state, like chiefs (fire and police), city managers and assistant city managers, the people who are always talking about overtime payment.
That's why state legislators are trying to put a cap on pensions, limiting them in a certain sense, putting a cap on pensionable income and having a checks and balances system.
You can hear Phil Matier's comments Monday through Friday at 7:50am and 5:50pm on KCBS All News 740AM and 106.9FM.
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