Boston’s Pension Scam

By Jim on March 25th, 2008

Yet another reason why I left that mess of a city.

While the city struggles to pay off a massive pension debt and control property taxes, retirement costs are skyrocketing as dozens of former municipal workers rake in near-six-figure annual payouts, a Herald review has found.

Of the top 50 city pensions, 20 are paid to firefighters, 17 to police officers and nine to school officials. In all, 75 former city workers take home $80,000 or more, having retired under the rules of the city pension system.

Topping the list with a $99,856-a-year pension is fire Capt. William G. Suprey, who retired in 1998. The top police officer is retired Deputy Superintendent Rachel L. Hutchinson, who retired in 2004 and takes home $99,585. The top school official is former Charlestown High School principal Michael Fung, who receives $99,368.

The city’s annual retirement costs have ballooned 38 percent since 2005 to a staggering $202.9 million this year as officials seek to pay down $2.1 billion in pension debt. The 2008 cost marks the first time the city’s pension costs have eclipsed the $200 million mark. In 2006, the cost was $186 million, while last year retirement pay cost the city $192 million, according to the Boston Municipal Research Bureau.

Among the notable ex-pols are former Suffolk Sheriff Richard J. Rouse, who receives an $81,180-a-year pension. Rouse stepped down as an inmate abuse scandal unfolded at the Suffolk jail.

Meanwhile, thousands of ex-city workers take home more than the city’s two living former mayors, Raymond Flynn and Kevin White. Flynn, who retired in 1998, receives just $47,152, while White, who left office in 1984, gets $25,123, records show.