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Taxpayers United of America
407 S. Dearborn Street, Suite 1170 * Chicago, Illinois 60605-1150 (312) 427-5128 * Fax (312) 427-5139 * E-mail tua@NTUI.org |
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REVISED “TOP 100” IL GOV. PENSIONS
REVEALS ASTRONOMICAL MONTHLY & ANNUAL PAYOUTS
CHICAGO--A just-released study by Taxpayers
United of America (TUA) of the Top 100 pensions received by retired
government employees in Illinois, funded by the state’s pension programs,
reveals “absolutely astounding” cash payouts, according to the Vice
President of TUA.
“Our study shows that as of April 1, 2011,
not only has the number of retired Illinois government employees receiving
pension benefits of over $100,000 a year climbed to 5,294, an increase of
22% from June 30, 2010, but that the pension payouts to the top 100
government retirees are astronomical by any standard,” said Christina
Tobin, TUA Vice President.
“Once again the largest pension went to
Tapas K. Das Gupta, formerly of the University of
Illinois at Chicago. His pension is larger than the salary of many company
presidents in the private sector. He received an annual pension of
$414,471. That comes out to an astounding payment of $34,539 a month.”
“The top 10 recipients of this top 100 list
are all former employees of the University of Illinois at Chicago,” said
Tobin. Number two on the list, Edward Abraham, received
an annual pension of $402,630 -- $33,553 a month, and number three,
Riad Barmada, pulled in an annual pension of $386,334 --
$32,194 a month.”
“Number 11 on the list is a retired employee
of a public high school, Henry S. Bangser, formerly of
New Trier TWP HSD 203. His lavish, gold-plated annual pension was $261,681
-- $21,807 each month.”
“Springfield Democrats and Gov. Patrick Quinn
(D) pushed through a huge, temporary increase in the state personal income
tax of 67%. Those hard-earned taxpayer dollars from the tax hike are being
funneled into the state pension programs that are providing such luxurious
lifestyles for these retired government employees.”
“The pension system for retired government
employees in Illinois is broken and can’t be salvaged,” said Tobin.
“Putting all new government hires into social security and 401(k)s would
eventually eliminate unfunded government pensions.”
“In addition, requiring Illinois government
employees and retirees to pay for one-half of their health care premiums
would save an estimated $230 billion over the next 35 years. An average
$6.6 billion income tax reduction would enable the expiration of the 67%
temporary income tax surcharge."
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Founded in 1976, TUA
is one of the largest taxpayer organizations in America.
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