where california funds go
12 Jul '09 08:58http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_12818004?source=rss&nclick_check=1
Internal Affairs: Former top San Jose officials work elsewhere while drawing six-figure pensions
Posted: 07/12/2009 12:00:00 AM PDT
San Jose's generous employee pension program is drawing the ire of some locals as the city cuts services amid a multiyear flood of red ink. (See story, Page A1.)
But even more galling to some than the fact that nearly 300 city workers have retired with six-figure pensions is the fact that many of those folks have continued working elsewhere, thanks to a city retirement system that lets employees become eligible for full benefits in their 50s. Many are earning additional retirement benefits in their new jobs.
Here are a few former top officials you may remember.
Bill Lansdowne, 65
Retired: San Jose's most recently retired police chief left the city in 2003 after 33 years in the department with an annual pension of $169,278.
Today: Police chief in San Diego, where Lansdowne earns $177,660 (less than he made in San Jose). But with guaranteed cost-of-living increases all San Jose retirees receive, his pension has grown to $205,387 a year, making it the city's highest.
...
Internal Affairs: Former top San Jose officials work elsewhere while drawing six-figure pensions
Posted: 07/12/2009 12:00:00 AM PDT
San Jose's generous employee pension program is drawing the ire of some locals as the city cuts services amid a multiyear flood of red ink. (See story, Page A1.)
But even more galling to some than the fact that nearly 300 city workers have retired with six-figure pensions is the fact that many of those folks have continued working elsewhere, thanks to a city retirement system that lets employees become eligible for full benefits in their 50s. Many are earning additional retirement benefits in their new jobs.
Here are a few former top officials you may remember.
Bill Lansdowne, 65
Retired: San Jose's most recently retired police chief left the city in 2003 after 33 years in the department with an annual pension of $169,278.
Today: Police chief in San Diego, where Lansdowne earns $177,660 (less than he made in San Jose). But with guaranteed cost-of-living increases all San Jose retirees receive, his pension has grown to $205,387 a year, making it the city's highest.
...