Newark Pensions: What Retirees Are Receiving

Nearly 500 retired school and city employees in Newark are collecting pensions, dozens of them receiving more than $100,000 a year.

The retirement compensation is part of a list posted by the San Jose Mercury News and other newspapers.

The CalPERS list was unveiled as the state Legislature last week approved a pension reform bill that is now on Gov. Jerry Brown's desk.

Among other reforms, the legislation raises the retirement age for most new employees from 55 to 67 to receive full benefits. It also eliminates so-called "double dipping" and caps the pensions of highly paid retired workers.

In the there are 283 retirees listed who are receiving CalPERS pensions.

At the top is retired district superintendent Milton Werner, who was earning $17,000 a month when he retired after working for 40 years in the district. Werner collects about $13,800 a month in pension, or more than $165,000 a year.

Next is Kenneth Sherer, also a former superintendent who retired after 43 years of service in the district. He was earning $13,015 a month when he stepped down. She now collects nearly $11,600 a month in pension.

There are three retirees listed who collect more than $10,000 a month, or more than $120,000 a year.

At the bottom of the list, there are eight retirees listed who receive less than $1,000 a month.

Some employees are collecting CalPERS pension from more than one agency. Teachers also don't receive Social Security benefits.

The has 150 retirees on the list.

The retiree collecting the most each year is former police chief John Robertson. He was paid $15,250 a month when he retired after working 33 years for the city. He now collects slightly more than that in pension, receiving $16,420 a month, or about $197,000 a year.

Right behind is former Newark Fire Department fire chief Michael Preston, who receives $17,900 a month. Preston was being paid $16,200 a month when he retired after 30 years of service with the city.

There are also 21 retirees listed who are collecting at least $10,000 a month, or $120,000 a year.

On the flip side, there are 16 retirees listed who receive less than $1,000 a month.

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