News 12 : Probe into 'pension padding' spreads to Westchester County

(03/25/10) YONKERS - New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo announced Wednesday the expansion of an investigation into the practice of "pension padding" to the Hudson Valley.

"Pension padding" involves government workers increasing their salaries through overtime a few years before retirement to boost their pensions. New York taxpayers paid $130 billion in retirement benefits in 2009, which equals the state's entire budget.

Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino believes "pension padding" is partially to blame for the county having the highest taxes in the country.

So far this year, Westchester paid out $55 million in retirement benefits. In the next three years, that number is expected to reach $118 million.

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• Westchester County