California Dreamin’California has one of the worst pension crises in the country—the state’s pension funds are about $500 billion in the red, and over 5,000 retired teachers California has one of the worst pension crises in the country—the state’s pension funds are about $500 billion in the red, and over 5,000 retired teachers and administrators receive pensions in excess of $100,000. But the crisis hasn’t stopped Santa Clara County’s fire chief from having his cake and eating it, too. Kenneth Waldvogel, who retired at the end of last year, was kept on as a consultant beginning in January—that means that for six months he not only took home an impressive consultant salary ($236,691), but a $200,000 yearly pension to boot.iStockphoto/The Fiscal TimesJersey BoyAtlantic City has proven to be the land of the riches for some—or at least for cops. According to a report by the New Jersey State Commission of Investigation in 2009, 160 retiring police and firefighters received $13.7 million for unused sick leave—that’Atlantic City has proven to be the land of the riches for some—or at least for cops. According to a report by the New Jersey State Commission of Investigation in 2009, 160 retiring police and firefighters received $13.7 million for unused sick leave—that’s in addition to hefty pension plans. Former police chief John Mooney takes the top spot with a pension of $147,016.Elisabetta Villa/Getty ImagesCongressional CrookApparently, if you’re a member of Congress, it takes a lot of work to lose your pension. Even though Dan Rostenkowski, a former Ways and MeansApparently, if you’re a member of Congress, it takes a lot of work to lose your pension. Even though Dan Rostenkowski, a former Ways and Means Committee chairman, was convicted of embezzling Post Office money through stamps and postal vouchers in 1996, he still raked in nearly $100,000 per year until his death in 2010. For years, only a crime of treason or espionage could cause a member of Congress to lose their cushy pension, but in 2007 that was changed to all felony charges.David McNew/Getty ImagesMed-School for LifeIt’s no secret that doctors bring in the big bucks, but choosing to go down the education route doesn’t hurt either. In Massachusetts, Arthur Pappas, MD, the former vice chancellor for clinical affairs at the University of Massachusetts Medical School, wiIt’s no secret that doctors bring in the big bucks, but choosing to go down the education route doesn’t hurt either. In Massachusetts, Arthur Pappas, MD, the former vice chancellor for clinical affairs at the University of Massachusetts Medical School, wins the top spot in the state’s pension fund, taking home a whopping $232,358 each year.Joe Raedle/Getty ImagesPest-ion ControlCalifornia certainly has no shortage of gold-plated pension plans, but another thing the state apparently needs to spend big bucks on is mosquito control. Of the myriad six-figure pensions, perhaps the most surprising was in San Joaquin county—a member ofCalifornia certainly has no shortage of gold-plated pension plans, but another thing the state apparently needs to spend big bucks on is mosquito control. Of the myriad six-figure pensions, perhaps the most surprising was in San Joaquin county—a member of the Mosquito Abatement department, Jack Fiori, takes home an impressive $118,816 each year—that must have been a lot of dead mosquitos.iStockphotoMoney to BurnTalk about high energy costs--in New York, Robert Hiney, a retired New York Power Authority executive has a pension worth $190,604 per year. No wonder electricity bills are so high.Talk about high energy costs--in New York, Robert Hiney, a retired New York Power Authority executive has a pension worth $190,604 per year. No wonder electricity bills are so high.iStockphotoSave the ChildrenOverpaid university administrators are no surprise, but when we spotted a top California pensioner collecting mega money from the Modesto City Elementary school fund, we were a bit shocked. Indeed, James Enochs, a former Modesto City School District superOverpaid university administrators are no surprise, but when we spotted a top California pensioner collecting mega money from the Modesto City Elementary school fund, we were a bit shocked. Indeed, James Enochs, a former Modesto City School District superintendent and teacher, takes home a jaw-dropping $296,555 each year. Though he claims that, he too, is ticked off by California’s out-of-control pension program.iStockphoto/The Fiscal TimesSecret FundsPadded pension plans are one thing—secret ones are another. In Georgia, two state pension funds, the Teachers Retirement System and Employees’ Retirement System, are actually prohibited by state law from disclosing pension data for more than 100,000 workePadded pension plans are one thing—secret ones are another. In Georgia, two state pension funds, the Teachers Retirement System and Employees’ Retirement System, are actually prohibited by state law from disclosing pension data for more than 100,000 workers in the public sector. Perhaps the state’s afraid of a little public backlash—according to the Atlanta Journal Constitution, of this wealth of retirees, 1,100 get six figures, including one who cashes in a pretty penny—almost $318,000 per year for life.iStockphoto/The Fiscal Times
